Category Archives: Dining

The Last Christmas Dinner of 2025

Posted on January 13, 2026 by thewineraconteur

We were trying to get everything together, before my procedure, and our one son and his wife wanted to see us, since we missed the big family get-together, unfortunately their children had to work that evening. We started the morning … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Bibi Graetz, Blanco Reserva, Charmat Method, Garnacha Blanca, Glera, Italy, Kirkland Signature, Lamole Vineyard, Londa Vineyard, Malvasia, Mimosa by Julio Cabrero, Montefili Vineyard, Remirez de Genuza, Rioja, Rioja Alavesa, Sangiovese, Siena Vineyard, Spain, Super Tuscan, Testamatta Rosso, Toscana IGT, Vincigliata Vineyard, Viura | Leave a comment

Christmas Dinner With TWR, Jr. – Part Two

Posted on January 10, 2026 by thewineraconteur

We always have a wonderful time with The Wine Raconteur, Jr. and his Bride and family. We were also glad that we didn’t have to postpone this dinner, because it was before my operation and I presumed that my diet … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Alter Ego de Chateau Palmer, Black Queen, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chateau Lumiere, Chateau Palmer, Chazz, France, Furiya Winery, Histoire, Japan, Margaux, Merlot, San Joaquim Wine Company, Yamanashi Prefecture | 4 Comments

Christmas Dinner With TWR, Jr. – Part One

Posted on January 7, 2026 by thewineraconteur

Just so that I can keep some of my narratives in sequence, we had a couple of dinners scheduled, before the side trip to the emergency room and before we knew that I was going to have another procedure. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Bordeaux Rose, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau La Gabarre, Chateau Peillon-Claveries Dubourg, France, Galgon, Merlot, Muscadelle, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon | Leave a comment

New Year’s Day 2026

Posted on January 4, 2026 by thewineraconteur

I realize that my holiday narrative has been a bit down, as we didn’t partake of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or a New Year’s Eve dinner, though I have still other nights of wine to relay, prior to my surgery. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged California, Monterey County, Pinot Noir, San Saba Vineyard, Swan/828, Wrath Estate Winery | 6 Comments

Christmas 2025

Posted on December 29, 2025 by thewineraconteur

Normally at this time of the year, I write about the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners that we attend, and we usually just take a turkey or her famous Caesar Salad, and of course bottles of wine. Everything was … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged American Champagne, Brut, California, California Champagne, Chardonnay, Charmat Method, Domaine Gilles Noblet, E&J Gallo, France, La Collonge, Maconnaise, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Pouilly-Fuisse, William Wycliff Winery | 4 Comments

Alpino Detroit in Corktown

Posted on December 11, 2025 by thewineraconteur

People think of my Bride and I when they want to try a restaurant off the beaten track, both in cuisine and destination. My Bride didn’t think twice about us going back to Alpino Detroit with someone that hadn’t been … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Arbois vin Jaune, Domaine Rolet Pere et Fils, France, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Gewurztraminer, Italy, Jura, Pierpaolo Pecorari, Savagnin, Savagnin Blanc, Traminer Aromatico, Tre Venezie, Venezia Giulia IGT, White Traminer | Leave a comment

My Bride’s Birthday 2025

Posted on December 8, 2025 by thewineraconteur

I must admit that it was a great celebration and unfortunately this time of the year always gets hectic, and I have articles that pile up on each other, especially when I have multiple part stories. I know that she … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cain Five, Cain Vineyard and Winery, California, Chardonnay, Cremant du Jura, Domaine Jean Bourdy, France, Malbec, Merlot, Methode Traditionelle, Napa Valley, Petit Verdot, Port, Roberts + Rogers Winery | Leave a comment

Thanksgiving 2025

Posted on December 5, 2025 by thewineraconteur

Thanksgiving is a holiday that makes us (my Bride) totally organized and totally impressive to all that hear her accomplishments. This year, two days earlier, she had gone to the post office to mail the out-of-town gifts and the Christmas … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Blue Curacao, Blumond Blue, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Charmat Method, Chateau Haut Marbuzet, Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Exceptional, Cru Grand Bourgeois Exceptionnels, France, Fratelli Saraceni, Glera, Italy, Merlot, Napa Valley, Petit Verdot, Roberts + Rogers Winery, Saint-Estephe, Saraceni Wines | 2 Comments

The New London Chop House – Part Two

Posted on November 8, 2025 by thewineraconteur

When I was just learning to read, on the back page of The Detroit News were two columns, one by Al Blanchard and the other by “Doc” Greene. I remember that it was in Blanchard’s column that I first heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Bordeaux Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Douro, Fine Ruby Porto, France, Grand Bateau, Merlot, Port, Porto, Portugal, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cao, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, W&J Graham's | Leave a comment

The New London Chop House – Part One

Posted on November 5, 2025 by thewineraconteur

In the fabled memories of Detroit was the famed London Chop House and it was akin to the Twenty-One Club of Manhattan and The Pump Room of Chicago. All legendary and could truly be said “where the elite meet to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Bricco Riella, Cascina Pian d'Or, Italy, Langhe, Moscato Bianco, Moscato di Asti | Leave a comment