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Drinking My Way Through a Visit to the Mitten

 

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A few months ago I finally got a chance to go back to Michigan. I want to say it’s been about four years since I’ve been back. Eek.

My trip started out a little rocky when I got to my parents to discover that the bottle of pomegranate syrup I’d brought had shattered in one of my suitcases. I’ve never lot a bottle of wine in transit (knock on wood) but apparently I have no luck with thick, sticky, red syrup. Before I even went into the house I had to unpack my suitcase in the garage then take the case and hose to to front lawn and clean it all out!

Happily, the rest of the trip went much more smoothly. I got to see most of my family, have dinner with my favorite cousin, and hang out with two girlfriends I’ve had since childhood. And since no one will let me borrow a car (wise move really), they squired me on my two most important errands: Trader Joe’s and Total Wine. Grand Rapids only recently got a Total Wine and I was really excited to see what they would have. I did not plan to bring back to Turkey more than three or four bottles and figured I’d buy just enough wine to get me through the week I was there. So, when we arrived, I grabbed the small cart hoping that it would curtail my shopping.

It did not. But I had fun trying to drink as much as I could of the wine that I bought!

San Rocchetto Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico DOC

I’ve had a few Verdicchios but not before one that came in the traditional bottle! My mom doesn’t drink wine generally (although discovered in Venice that she loves Prosecco!) but loved the bottle so much she kept it. Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi (such a mouthful!) is a Marche DOC (central Italy). The wine I had from San Rocchetto was a Classico, meaning that the grapes came exclusively from the oldest wine growing hills around Jesi.

Pale lemon with green highlights in the glass. Swirls of green and stone fruit in the nose with lime leaf and green apple and white nectarines coming through more as it lived in the glass. A little more exotic on the palate with kaffir lime joining the white nectarine along with raw almonds and a chalky-lime finish. Pleasant acidity and moderate alcohol (12% abv).

I do so love Verdicchio.

PehhCora Pecorino Terre di Chieti IGP

Like the Verdicchio above, this wine comes from central Italy, but this time from Abruzzo. The Terre di Chieti IGP allows a number of grapes, one of which is the quickly growing in popularity Pecorino.

Straw colored with aromas of lemon salt, mineral, field daisies, and almond. On the palate it was medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and a very appealing texture. Green plums scattered over with white flower petals and a kiss of mineral on a citrussy finish.

The only other Pecorino I’ve had I bought a few years ago during a trip to Italy. Utterly thrilled to see one at the Grand Rapids Total Wine. But apparently not thrilled enough to remember to take a picture.

Lamarca Luminore Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut

I definitely spent most of my time at Total Wine in the Italy section but this one I bought for my mom. As mentioned above, she doesn’t drink wine but really took to Prosecco when we were in Venice together a few years ago! From Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiero, this was a much higher class of Prosecco than I ever see in Turkey. And depressingly, it also cost a lot less than any Prosecco I see in Turkey.

Delicate aromas of pear blossoms and stone fruit. White flowers frame subtle flavors of apples, pears, and white nectarine, all carried on a soft creamy mousse. Very pretty.

Marchese de Borgosole Fiano Puglia IGT

Moving from central to southern Italy with this next one. I’ve read much about Fiano but the only example I managed to get in Istanbul was very oxidized. This wine traveled around Italy quite a bit before it got to the US. Casa Vinicola Botter, based in the Veneto, produces the Marchese de Borgosole brand. The wine was apparently made in Puglia then traveled all the way up Italy to be bottled by A.D.V. in Fossalta di Piave in Venice. Its travels did not seem to have hurt the wine at all and the bottle it eventually ended up in is so fantastic, it could walk off the shelf even if the wine weren’t as good as it is.

A crisp wine that showed a citrus-forward character with Asian pear, grapefruit, and aromatic lemongrass detail with a touch of salinity on the finish. Fresh acidity and exuberant aromatics belied the 13.5% abv. This wine went down far too easily.

Kysela Pére et Fils Picpoul de Pinet AOP

While I spent most of my Total Wine time in the Italy section, I did not ignore the other countries. One of the many wines I’ve only read about, Picpoul de Pinet AOP comes from southern France’s Languedoc region that makes wines from the Picpoul grape.

Green apple, lime blossom, grapefruit, and hawthorn petals framed by fresh acidity. Crisp green apple along with a streak of juicy lime linger on the finish. So fresh and light despite the 14.1% abv!

The Supernatural Wine Co’s Super-Nat

I am a sucker for bubbles, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and a great label. So I was sold by the Supernatural Wine Co’s Super-Nat. 100% organic Sauvignon Blanc from Hawke’s Bay made in the pet-nat style.

Pear, ginger flowers, citrus, and biscuity aromas followed by a soft and creamy lime marmalade and juicy pear palate finishing with mandarin and mineral note. Lightly bubbly, dry, and soooo enjoyable.

Shady Lane Cellars Sparkling Riesling

Of course I spent some time in the Michigan section! I wasn’t going to not drink Michigan wine while I was back in the Mitten. And when I saw a sparkling Riesling from Leelanau Peninsula. Yes.

Freshly plucked tangerine mingles with pear on the nose gave way to flavors of peach jolly ranchers, pear, and pear blossom. Citrussy acidity and exciting bubbles balanced the residual sugar. Charming and very easy to drink.

I did end up bringing home more bottles than planned but I also left a few bottles with my parents. Hopefully, it won’t be another four years before I get back there!