The End of the Tasting

Posted on February 1, 2016 by thewineraconteur

It was getting close to the end of the meal and of the wine tastings as well. I may say that The Caller was a real trouper, as he was under the weather, but he still came out for the evening, even though he could not really enjoy any of the wines, and unfortunately I am not sure how much he could really enjoy the meal, though his wife made the most of the meal and the evening. He was still capable of reveling in some of the dinners that they had away from us, and we agreed that we have to get together soon for some meals and good times.

Terra dOro Zinfandel Port NV

The last of the wines from the wine tastings was a dessert wine. The Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port NV was a wine that I was looking forward to trying, but my Bride had some apprehension. As I have slowly come to appreciate some Zinfandels, she still finds them to be too jammy and overpowering, though I did mention the Zin that I had, that she has not had the chance to try, that was aged in Bourbon barrels, and she seemed alright with that description. Since I find Zinfandel to be on the sweeter side, I could see how it could become a Port style wine. One thing I did notice is that the bottle did not mention “old vines,” but since they have the Deaver Vineyard that was originally planted in 1881, there are some very old vines there. Also to do Port style wines the grapes must be late picked, which would make the sugar concentration even higher and though the wine starts off the same way, the winemaker then stops the fermentation by the addition of a “brandy” which fortifies the wine. Then this wine is stored in barrels, in this case French, American and Hungarian barrels, and then this is where the fun begins, this wine is produced by the “Solera” system that is the heart and soul of the Sherry industry. To explain it in a simple manner, one has three barrels of the fortified wine from three different vintages, as some wine is removed from the oldest barrel, the next oldest barrel has the equivalent amount of wine removed and placed in the first barrel, and then the third barrel does the same for the second barrel. As a result the wine by nature is non-vintage and the winemaker can create a consistent type of “Port” each and every year by the blending of the wines.

MI Gravity BC

The wine that we tasted showed richness and layered wine that I do feel was enhanced, because it was made from the Zinfandel grape. It had the darkness and density of a newly bottled “Port,” because as a fortified wine, the wine ages very slowly in the bottle and hence it can be very long lived, which would even give it more nuance and layers. I have to admit that I was very impressed with the wine, and the fact that it was paired with a Chocolate Pistachio Truffle and they were both so harmonious, was another bonus. As with all evenings, especially in the company of The Caller, the evening ended much too early, but we look forward to many more evening with them.

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Terra d’Oro Wines

Posted on January 30, 2016 by thewineraconteur

While at Gravity Bar & Grill in Milford, Michigan we were introduced to Terra d’Oro Winery. The winery is part of the much larger Trinchero Family Estates of wine, which oversees production of plenty of the wines that most people end up enjoying in the popular priced wines of California. Terra d’Oro Winery began as Montevina Wines in Amador County. This area was first planted with vines in 1849, and the Deaver Vineyard that Terra d’Oro Winery owns was first planted in 1881. Montevina Wines was the first winery in Amador County to produce wines in 1973 since Prohibition ended. The winery is based on some of the classic Italian varietals, and their major grape is Zinfandel.

Terra dOro Aglianico 2012

The first of the red wines that we tried that evening was Terra d’Oro Aglianico 2012 and it carried the Amador AVA. Amador County is part of the larger Sierra Foothills of California. This was a very limited production wine as they only produced four hundred cases of it. The Aglianico grape is most known from Southern Italy, but it was the first time that I have had wine made from it, though truth be told it was blended with one percent Barbera, so for all intents and purposes it is Aglianico. It had a soft nose, medium color and I found it to be a much softer red wine, especially because I had anticipated it to be more robust similar in style to Zinfandel, since that is what the area is noted for. The chef had paired this wine a citrus and Thyme roasted chicken on a potato cake with a Pomegranate Vinaigrette which was very tasty.

Terra dOro Teroldego 2012

The second red wine that we had that evening was Terra d’Oro Teroldego 2012, also carrying the Amador County AVA. This wine like the wine earlier had one percent Barbera blended with it, and it also had a production of four hundred cases. Teroldego was another grape variety that I had not encountered and it is found in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Italy. I found that this wine had more tannin and had a more robust nature then the Aglianico and I found it most appealing, in fact this was another wine that we ordered at the end of the evening. It had some natural sweetness to the fruit, but well balanced by the tannins and I could see it as a great compliment to many dishes. The chef had prepared Braised Beef Wellington with Cocoa Demi-glace to accompany this wine. I still have to close out this evening with some more wine, notes and dessert.

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Wine Tasting at Gravity

Posted on January 28, 2016 by thewineraconteur

Gravity Bar & Grill is a delightful restaurant in downtown Milford, Michigan. I have written about Milford in past articles, as I really enjoy the quaintness of the community and I really enjoy the downtown area. I am really surprised that I have not written any articles about the restaurant in the past, as we have been there many times. In fact when I found out that they were doing a wine tasting evening from my Bride, she booked a table and immediately thought of The Caller and his wife to join us. When I texted The Caller he actually informed me, that he was just at the restaurant earlier that evening with some friends for dinner. He agreed to meet there again and the reservation was changed for four.

Terra dOro Chenin Blanc & Viognier 2013

The restaurant is rather centrally located between The Caller and us, and we went the circuitous back roads to get there, rather than trying to fight the rush hour traffic on the “quick way” via the highways. As always, The Caller and his wife were already there and had even ordered the Charcuterie Platter to get started, as they knew that we would be there soon, and we had thought that we might get there first. The platter featured Prosciutto di Parma, cured Chorizo, Feta Cheese Mousse, Parmesan Reggiano, pickled red onions, fig compote and baguette slices. It was the perfect way to start the evening off.

Terra dOro Pinot Grigio 2013

The wine tastings for the evening featured five wines from Terra d’Oro Winery from Amador County, California. There was a sales representative from the winery and she introduced the wines as “Calitan” wines, because this area was heavily populated by Italians that came to the area during the Gold Rush area, and they had brought seedlings of there beloved vines and had planted them there. We started the evening off with two white wines, which made sense, as one normally goes from lightest to heaviest, or white to red. The first wine that we had was Terra d’Oro Chenin Blanc & Viognier 2014. This wine carried the Clarksburg AVA as most of the fruit was not estate grown. The Viognier which is estate grown only accounted for thirteen percent of the wine. The Chenin Blanc grape was originally known from the Loire Valley, while the Viognier grape was until the late Sixties was almost extinct as there was only about forty acres of it still planted in the Rhone Valley, but then it was rediscovered. The wine was a bit light for me, as the qualities that I so enjoy from the Viognier were not as apparent as I would have preferred. This wine was accompanied with a white wine poached pear, herbed Mascarpone and toasted walnuts, which was very light and was a fine pairing for the wine. The last white wine was Terre d’Oro Pinot Grigio 2014 and it carried the Santa Barbara County AVA. While the fruit was not estate grown the Pinot Grigio grape was more in line with the “Calitan” theme of the winery and it was a most enjoyable glass of wine, in fact while my Bride ordered two to wine of the Pinot Grigio to the Chenin Blanc & Viognier. This wine was paired with a Shrimp Alfredo Flatbread, another great call from the chef. There will be more of this wine tasting to come.

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A Couple of Good Cabs

Posted on January 26, 2016 by thewineraconteur

I tend to write about many parties that we host or go to where wine is not the focal point of the affair, but it certainly adds to the festivities. Wine is usually well received as the beverage of choice to pair with the foods that are being served. As I look at the many wine labels that I have removed from the bottles, some of which will be put in scrap books, and some will be used as wall paper on some other walls; I realize that I have not had the chance to really mention some of the more popular priced wines. This is an editorial decision of mine, because since I try to publish every other day, I try to only mention two wines at a time, and I have mentioned that several times. While there are some wines that I wish to feature, there are many other wines that are served as well, and I am going to discuss two of them now.

Decoy Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Joel Gott Wines got started in the last decade of the last century and they purchase their fruit from assorted vineyards. Joel Gott and his wife both have very admirable backgrounds in the wine industry and I think that they have carved out a very fine niche for themselves. The Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is a great popular price wine that I do not mind having for myself or for my guests. While the wine carries the California appellation, the fruit has come from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Lodi, Lake County, Paso Robles and Monterey County; and there is not a clinker in that group. Each batch of fruit has been aged for over a year in American Oak and then the wines are blended together to achieve the harmonious taste that they are looking for. The number 815 is in honor of their first daughter’s birth date, just in case you were as curious as I was.

Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Another Cab that we tend to always seem to have around the house is from the Duckhorn Family, and that is from their Decoy Series. We have been Duckhorn fans from our first wine trip to California and had the good fortune to have a letter of introduction and had the honor of given a tour of the facility by one of the sons. We also tasted the wines in the back of a semi-truck, due to the fact, that at the time, the tasting room was not finished. With memories like that, you know that I am going to be partial to their wines, even their table wines. When we were first there, the wines were all from Napa Valley, including the Decoy Series, but it seems that most of the wine now, if not all comes from Sonoma County. The Decoy Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is another wine, which I can enjoy at any point in time. The wine is almost entirely Cabernet Sauvignon, except for three percent Merlot and two percent Cabernet Franc, and I am also a major fan of those grapes as well. This wine is aged in French Oak for ten months before bottling. With all of the wine that we can go through at parties, it is always a pleasure to be able to serve good quality wines to everyone.

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The Caller in Ann Arbor

Posted on January 24, 2016 by thewineraconteur

I have been a little remiss about mentioning some of the escapades of The Caller. The Caller as you may recall is a dear friend of ours and he and his charming wife go out for dinner often, and periodically he may tweak my nose with some messages and photographs of where he is, their dinner and of course the wine. Now The Caller is also big on trying some of the new and some of the very old cocktails that are reemerging and enjoying their time in the sun again, not that he is usually out in the sun.

Bouza Tannat Reserva 2013
The Caller sent me several messages about two months ago that he was at Knight’s Steak House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I have never been to Knight’s even though there are two locations in Ann Arbor and another one in Jackson, Michigan. One evening we almost went to the Jackson location, but got so sidetracked at a winery and a late lunch that we did not need to have another meal. I have heard plenty of good reviews about the restaurant and knowing The Caller as well as I do, I would have to presume that his steak dinner was excellent, because that is the only time that he likes to tweak my nose, when he is having a grand time without us. He is that type of guy, but we love them anyways and tend to overlook that characteristic flaw of his.

Amity Estate Pinot Noir 2011

He sent me two pictures of the wines that they were enjoying that evening, one was a Pinot Noir. The first wine was from the Willamette Valley in Oregon and that is an area that is known for having great success growing the finicky Pinot Noir grape. The wine is from Amity Vineyards and the label reads Amity Estate Pinot Noir 2011, and that it is a single vineyard wine. Once again, because I have not had the wine, I cannot relate anything about it, but since The Caller mentioned it, he must have enjoyed it. The other wine that he had, was a one-up on me, as the grape variety I have only had once and it was blended with several other varietals, and he had it straight up, so I am intrigued. They were enjoying Bouza Tannat Reserva 2013 from Montevideo, Uruguay. The Tannat grape originally came from the Basque region of Spain, but that area also straddles part of France and the grape is known from there as well. While the grape is not as popular in France it has been found to grow well in parts of Australia, in North America (California, Oregon and Virginia) and in South America (Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay). Tannat has become the wine in Uruguay, especially in the Montevideo region of the country and is becoming the grape for the country. I know that it will be a wine that I will be trying in the future. As I like to say to The Caller, that when I grow up, I want to be like him.

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I Encourage Everyday Wines

Posted on January 22, 2016 by thewineraconteur

Lest everybody think that Wine Bloggers drink nothing but expensive wines, that is not true, well perhaps some do. I am just a working man that enjoys wine. Most of the people that I am around are also working people and some of them enjoy wines as well. I encourage people to drink wine and I know that some will discover new wines and keep this approach. Others find a wine and they are happy with a certain wine and let’s face it, the big wineries make their living trying to satisfy this type of drinker. We tend to have a lot of parties at our house and people like to bring wines to offer as gifts and to show their appreciation, as they know that my Bride and I always seem to have wines open to share. I try to only write about two wines per article, so as not to create overkill. Some of the wines that I write about are very esoteric and some are not, it is because I feel that wine makes the event, and the majority of the time, the wine is not the event. If there are several of bottles open for a party, I try to write about, what I think people will find most interesting.

Lindemans Bin 85 Pinot Grigio 2015

Periodically, I have to go into the garage and start clearing out some of the accumulation there, to keep the garage relatively neat. I usually take about a dozen empty wine bottles in to save the labels for my scrap book, and then the bottles go into the recycling bin, unless I know someone that is making wine and then I save the bottles for them. I always like to look at the different wines, and I know that I have actually sampled just about every wine that ends up an empty bottle in the garage. I like to see what other people like in a wine, as most will never try a First Growth Medoc. To give you one example, there was a bottle of Barefoot Chardonnay, a California wine, which automatically tells you that the fruit could have been harvested anywhere in the state. This is a bulk wine that is very affordable and over the years they have maintained a certain consistency of taste, as they sell the wine by the cases. While some may scoff at these wines that can be bought in convenience stores, drug stores, grocery stores and even now in the State of Michigan at gas stations, they probably keep more people happy and content, then the cult wines of Napa can.

Barefoot Chardonnay

After removing the labels, I discovered that there were two labels from the same firm, but different vintages, but of recent opening here at the house. I can understand that, as each store buys so many cases of the wine and then replenishes as needed. Some stores have faster turn around of their inventory, so while one store may have one vintage another store will have the new vintage. Consequently during the same batch of label removing I discovered Lindeman’s Bin 85 Pinot Grigio 2014 and 2015. Once again Lindeman’s is a major supplier of bulk wines in Australia, and these big batch wines are readily available in the States. Pinot Grigio is a very easy drinking wine and has developed quite the following in a rather short period of time. Is it sexy, no it isn’t, but wines like this are made for the occasional drinker, or the wine drinker that wishes to be fiscally responsible. I know that there are many times when we are out, that I may start the evening off with Pinot Grigio and then go in another direction. If someone asks my opinion of a wine that they bring over, I thank them, and casually may suggest that they look for a similar wine from another producer, so they can compare it on their own, if they so desire. After all, I would like to see even more people drinking wine and we all have to start somewhere.

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How to Upset a Surprise Party

Posted on January 20, 2016 by thewineraconteur

This has to be the dreaded thought for all that plan for surprise parties. The arabesque intricacies that are necessary to make it all work out for the best. Allow me to state emphatically that it was not me, before this goes any further. There are many other ways I could have titled this article, but they could have all sounded vulgar. Suffice it to say that a very good friend was celebrating her Sixtieth Birthday, while some people would shy away from such an announcement, she wanted to party. There was a wonderful party being planned by her family and friends at a restaurant, and we were looking forward to attending, well actually I was looking forward to attending it, as my dear Bride, several months earlier had made plans to go visit one of her friends that lives in Phoenix, and she was going to get away from the cold for a long weekend. Our dear friend decided that she would host her own party for the occasion and sent out emails to everyone. My Bride saw her a day or so later at a professional luncheon and our friend lamented that her family and friends were giving her hell for doing that, and they had to tell her what they had planned. My Bride listened to all the lamentations and then smiled and confirmed what she had unknowingly had done. The surprise party had been cancelled.

Il Borro Pian di Nova Toscana IGT 2012

The alternative party went off without a snag, and I must say that our friend did throw herself a grand party. The party was at Blackfinn, An American Bistro in Royal Oak, Michigan. When I was setting this information into my phone’s calendar, I was surprised to find out that this restaurant is a chain, even though we had been there numerous times, I was not aware of this fact. Our friend catered her own party there with chafing dishes filled with sliders, beef and chicken, flatbread pizzas and quesadillas. There was also a large sheet cake, because a birthday party would not be a party without a cake. The guest of honor surrounded the party area with a couple of huge arrays of balloons and she looked wonderful with her tiara and a sash proclaiming her age. She was enjoying the evening on the eve of her birthday and it was a testament to her popularity that there was such a large turnout, and it was a shame that my Bride was not there for the festivities.

Over the Hill Gift

I had taken as a gift, a bottle of her favorite Chardonnay; in fact she hardly ever drinks anything else but Chardonnay wines. My Bride had found a gift bag for the wine, with the standard “Over the Hill” sentiments, but it was all in jest, because the Birthday girl will never be “over the hill.” Her favorite wine, when she can get it is Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay and this was a 2012 vintage of this wine from the Sonoma Coast in Northern California. This maritime section of Sonoma is predominately known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, which account for almost seventy-five percent of all production. I might also add that Sonoma-Cutrer has been producing very dependable wines since 1973. I was enjoying an interesting red wine for the evening, Il Boro Pian di Nova Toscana Rossa IGT 2012. Another wine that has taken the IGT designation for a wine that is not the norm, for Tuscany and most wine cartes tend to list these wines under the umbrella of “Super Tuscan” wines. This wine was seventy-five percent Syrah and the balance Sangiovese, the workhorse grape of the region. What a delightful wine with a lot of body and just enough tannins, and perfectly drinkable at the moment. This wine was aged in assorted barrels for six months, then another month in Stainless Steel, and then another six months in bottles before being released. I would have it again, in a heart beat. I also have to admit that I maintained my all-in-jest snarkiness, by telling the guest of honor that she didn’t look a day older than sixty-one.

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“These Californian wines…are all…so good”

Posted on January 18, 2016 by thewineraconteur

It was just a typical winter day in Michigan. I had shoveled the driveway and sidewalk of the snow that had fallen the night before, I had my morning coffee and had read the newspaper; and yes I still enjoy the pleasure of having a newspaper in my hands to read. I then went up to my office to check on Social Media, before I would actually start my day. I am a creature of habit, I guess. Then I spotted something, a posting, which I had to double check for its accuracy, as one has to do, all the time on Social Media. Alan Rickman, that charming actor from England had passed away. My first thoughts were of the suave villain Hans Gruber from the original Die Hard film and how elegant he was. Then I thought of my Bride, who in her world he was and always will be Professor Severus Snape from the Harry Potter stories and films. And then I went downstairs and decided to watch anew one of the many DVD films that we have amassed. I gave myself a couple hours of peace to watch Bottle Shock again. I think that it is the most enjoyable film that I have ever watched about wine, and I do enjoy being entertained, when I have the chance.

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay Napa 2007

While this film is considered a “small film” for Hollywood, and we originally saw it at an art theater in the Metropolitan Detroit area, that I enjoyed it so much, that when the film was released in the DVD format, I had to own a copy of it. Most wine appreciators know the film as a dramatization of the Judgment of Paris in 1976, when in a blind tasting the wines of California beat the French wines and started a wine revolution that is still going strong. I have to admit that I enjoy “feel good” movies and wish to be entertained, and not end up being depressed from watching a film. I consider this film to be the Rocky of wine movies, even though I know that others will contend that another film about California wines is better. Films like wines are subjective, and can always be counted on for some lively conversations with the right crowd.

BottleShock

The funny thing is that I was learning about wines, at the tail end of the Sixties, and remember when the actual story came out in 1976 and people were sure that it was a fluke. Even on our week long trip to Napa Valley, we did not stop at Chateau Montelena, and it wasn’t until 2012 that I ever even had the chance to enjoy a bottle of the wine. The most amazing part of that fact was that we were in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the city of Marquette, and we were there the week after Memorial Day and with the hopes of not encountering snow, like we have been having here this week. For those of you that do not know the city of Marquette, it is a college town and we found this wonderful little restaurant, and the bottle of Chateau Montelena was the finest bottle on their carte, and it was a fine bottle and added immensely to the dinner that evening. Since that time, my Bride has been to Marquette and goes back to that restaurant, not for the Chateau Montelena, but for the food; you see without me, the expenses she incurs in the Upper Peninsula are far more affordable. By the way the response to the line in the film that I used for the title of this memory, and one of the best lines to me in Cinematic History is “What were you expecting…Thunderbird?”

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MWWC #22: Second Chance

Posted on January 16, 2016 by thewineraconteur

“Love is lovelier the second time around.”

It must be the Monthly Wine Writing Challenge, as I tend to always start the article off with something pithy and hopefully germane. This Twenty-second challenge’s theme has been proffered by Jill of L’Occasion and it is “Second Chance.” These challenges at least for me make me stop and ponder the direction that I should take. Some of the challenges have been harder to start, than others, but that is the joy of these challenges. “Second Chance” can be very romantic, as for my Bride and I, or it can take on another meaning.

wine-stain Monthly Wine Challenge

The grapes, the bountiful fruit that eventually because this “nectar of the Gods” that we all write about, are not all equal. Some of the great wineries are by nature very selective about their grapes and especially about the end product. We know what happens to the first selection of grapes, as they can become exalted wines that the world will clamor for, as for the others they are not completely forgotten about

Carruades de Ch Lafitte-Rothschild 1966          Ch Lafitte-Rothschild 1986

Chateau Lafite-Rothschild is world famous and even if you just said Lafite, one would be understood. This famous First Growth of the Medoc has been heralded for over a century as one of the leading wines. They were one of the leaders of blending for what is know referred to as the “Bordeaux Blend.” This blend can be composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec and under the steady hands of an accomplished wine maker and a great vintage, history can be made. In today’s world, where everyone is chasing the dollar, the winemaker worth his salt, still controls the product, and not every grape or pressing makes the final cut. Rather then dilute the quality for a quick dollar, he holds the seconds and makes another wine. Perhaps the wine will not have the same cachet as Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, but I would venture that no one would decline a glass or a bottle of Carruades de Lafite, or sometimes it has been named Moulin des Carruades. I know that I would not, and I have not.

Les Forts de Latour 1998                      Ch Latour 1967 Pauillac

Now we can venture over a little bit in the same Commune of Pauillac where Chateau Lafite-Rothschild is produced and find another First Growth wine of stellar reputation, namely Chateau Latour. When one is speaking of the First Growth wines of the Medoc, everyone has an opinion of which is the best, and from my humble stance and from my few encounters, I may have to opine that perhaps Chateau Latour may be the greatest, if not the longest lived of the wines that I have tried. I once had the chance to enjoy a bottle that was forty years old and it was still very feisty compared to two other First Growth wines of the same age. Chateau Latour is rather unique that it is a blend of only Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as compared to the classic “Bordeaux Blend.” They have also created a second wine that they call Les Forts de Latour and I was just as happy to have that wine, and my wallet was even happier.

Overture NV                                                  Opus One 1989

The Old World is not the only place where one finds these Second Labels, as one can also find this being done in Napa Valley, California. Of course the wine that I am going to discuss here is also a “Bordeaux Blend, “ but both the first and the second labels, only refer to themselves as “A Napa Valley Red Table Wine.” I am talking about Opus One, the wine that is a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi; and yes another reference to a First Growth Medoc wine. Not only do I find there second label Overture to be superb, but when we were at the winery I observed that so did most of the other people there for a tasting. The only thing that can be slightly different is that Overture can be non-vintage, as in blending of a few years, or it can be a single vintage, from my understanding. When we were there, it was non-vintage and only sold at the winery, though I also understand that it is now found in some secondary markets as well.

So these fine grapes can have a Second Chance, if they do not make the first cut.
“Everyone knows that I am Second hand Rose from Second Avenue.”

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Dessert at Vertical Detroit

Posted on January 14, 2016 by thewineraconteur

All good things come to an end, as the old saying goes; and this dinner was no different. After studying the dessert menu, we decided to share one of our old stand-bys, namely Crème Brulee, and the one offered was the classic interpretation with Madagascar Vanilla Bean and fresh berries. My Bride still had some of her Cypres de Climens Barsac 2010 from our Foie Gras course, and of course, my glass of that wine had evaporated. I had to order a glass of wine, just because I enjoyed the name so much and it reminded me of one of our vacations that we enjoyed immensely and it is the birthplace of that devilish rogue Rhett Butler. The wine has one of the longest names that I have encountered, but I guess that makes it easier to remember. The Rare Wine Company Historic Series Madeira Charleston Sercial Special Reserve NV made by Barbeito in Madeira, Portugal. This wine is part of the Historic Series and each Madeira type is named for one of the classic cities in the United States that played a major factor in Madeira wine. The Sercial grape has become more prominent in Madeira again, because it is one of the classic types, and since the regulations that have evolved about wines in the European Common Market, a Sercial must be made from the Sercial grape, whereas in the old days, only the blenders knew how much Sercial actually was used blended with some of the more common Madeira varieties. In fact now if the label says Sercial, there is eighty-five percent of that fruit and the balance could be from higher producing crops as Verdelho and Tinta Negra Mole, both of which produce good Madeira wine, but do not carry the cachet of some of the classic grapes. Even though Sercial wines are on the lighter side of Madeira wines, they are legendary and have been known to age and mellow in the bottle for over fifty years. This wine with its classic almond nutty flavor went smoothly with the Crème Brulee.

Navarre Pineau des Charentes Vieux NV

The General Manager came over as we were having dessert and he brought with him to introduce to me the owner of the restaurant. I guess he must have told the owner that I was into wines, because of my Blog, and I am proud of my writings, as eclectic as the columns can be. I had to laugh when I met the owner, because I had remarked that almost my entire working career I had Mondays off, and he laughed, and said that he has as well. The downside of that was, that I had never had the chance to see his vaunted wine shop, even though it is in the same city that I live in; go figure.

The Rare Wine Co Historic Series Madeira Charleston Sercial NV

While the owner and I were having our conversation, the General Manager brought over two glasses of a complimentary beverage. So my Bride and I ordered the Parfait Vertical from the dessert menu, which was White, Dark and Milk Chocolate Mousse, Candied Hazelnuts and served in a chocolate shell. We enjoyed our Navarre Pineau des Charents Vieux NV, which is a fortified wine that was introduced in 1945 for wines that were not considered Cognac. This wine is made from the Ugni Blanc grape and is blended with a six year old Grande Champagne Cognac from the same winery. The wine must be aged in Oak for at least eighteen months, and if it carries the wording of Vieux (old) then it must spend at least five years or more in oak. I found it to be a very smooth and elegant “Cognac” though it is technically not a Cognac, though it is made from the same grapes, same blending and the same region. This fortified wine was created to make use of the wines that were not considered to be classic Cognac, and it created a second market for the vintages that may have been excessively heavy or light. Perhaps my palette is not that sharp to discern such subtleties, but we both enjoyed it. We are looking forward to several more visits to Vertical Detroit, and I may even get the chance soon to visit the wine shop that created this restaurant.

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