There have been a few pleasant surprises in the course of this Summer's winetasting, and if you have been stuck in the rut of Chardonnays for white, Cabs for red, and some sort of fizzy water for sparkling, you might be interested in some recent discoveries:
On the Red Front: A family friend visiting us in Leland brought a bottle of Cab Franc. I was somewhat skeptical, having always identified Francs as blending wines. Also, the Michigan Francs are known to be acidic. But this Franc was the 2005 Franc from Cosentino Winery and was very nice indeed with deep plum and lighter cherry notes with a slightly smoky finish. It paired extremely well with the Raclette cheese from the Leelanau Cheese Factory.We're anxious to try this one again!
On the White Front: Some of the lighter whites have hit the spot recently, including Michigan's own Left Foot Charley 2007 Pinot Blanc, Kim Crawford's 2006 Marlborough Pinot Gris, and for an excellent value from France, La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Luberon Blanc, forget this name, just look for the 2 chickens on the label and a price point under US $10! The latter is a crisp, fruity, dry white wine made from several Rhone Valley grapes: Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc, and Roussanne. Great for quaffing.
On the Sparkling Front: Unfortunately, the meltdown of the US Dollar has resulted in French Champagne becoming quite expensive. So, falling back on California production, we can heartily recommend the Mumm Napa Brut Prestige. It doesn't have the French refined finish (what I call "subtle bubbles") but a valiant attempt nonetheless at a price point around US $20.
So, imbibe the above in good health and with good cheer. And don't drink and drive, or you will need the services of one of my barrister brothers and sisters! And they don't come cheap, I hear.
Thanks for blogging with me thus far.
4 comments:
Sitting here outside my cottage on Lake Michigan, near Crystal Lake, in beautiful Benzie County (the second best Michigan County after Leelanau Co.) I wonder if you can make some suggestions for Leelanau wines. I haven't tasted wine from that great county in years and would like to be pointed in the right direction.
john-gottlieb@tiesenga.com
John, weren't you in D. Ivan's Logic class with me in either fall of 73 or Spring of 74? Logic was quite a pain for me which I guess has mattered little because some aspects of law are most illogical. May D. Ivan rest in peace; no doubt he is continuing his erudite lectures to the saints and the angels.
Michigan Whites? Depends if you like dry or less dry. Most of the Black Star Rieslings fit the latter, and the Left Foot Charley Pinot Blanc (they might do a Pinot Gris as well) fits the former. Most of the Chards are quaffable, but as Miles says in "Sideways," not transcendant. Best to you, John, let's keep in touch!
Yes, Chad. I'm surprised that you remember me - I was a sophmore in D. Ivan's class and you were a senior in your last semester at Hope before heading out for Notre Dame. So it's a surprise that you would remember an underclassman. I still have that purple Logic book on my shelf.
That class led me to become a philosophy major and talking with you about law was the genesis of my thoughts about law school. I am a graduate of Washington University Law School.
Thank you for the wine suggestions. I leave for Chicago tomorrow for a couple of weeks before returning to Benzie County but I may be able to find a few bottles to take with me.
- John
Actually, John, Mr. Goodchild jogged my memory about you and D. Ivan's Logic class. I was pleased to write a letter of recommendation for him and send it to the Notre Dame Law School Admissions Director. I hope that they admit Thad.
Hard to believe that I inspired you to go to Law School! Geesh, I'm glad it worked out for you!
Check with you later, have an enjoyable rest of the Summer!
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