Monday, December 25, 2006
Black Star Farms Sirius Cherry Dessert Wine
You're probably first wondering who writes a blog at 8:00 AM on Christmas Day? Seriously, who does that?
Well, I guess I do! As usual, I have awakened before my darling wife and have some time to kill before breakfast and the present unwrapping, so I thought I'd get one last review written in 2006.
I served the Black Star Farms Sirius Cherry Dessert Wine at a dessert wine tasting party that I held last weekend. Popped the leftovers in the freezer and decided to indulge myself on Christmas Eve after enjoying a bottle of Argyle 2002 "Nuthouse" Pinot Noir from Oregon over supper. The Sirius Cherry really hit the spot at 10:00 last night--just the thing for a late night topper. This little 375 mL bottle packs a punch with 17% alcohol. A gorgeous dark burgandy color, you first get a big cherry and brandy nose (the folks at Black Star distill their own cherry brandy to fortify this wine). Tastes like you're drinking those sweet cherries that you can buy at the roadside farm stands around Traverse City. Sweet, but not overly so. With the engraved bottle, this would make a great present for wine drinkers on your gift list. I still have one more drink left in the bottle, maybe for breakfast....
I like the idea of incorporating various fruit wines into a winery's portfolio, especially since Michigan has such a bounty of fruit growers. A question for future winery visits--are fortified fruit dessert wines better sellers than unfortified fruit wines? I believe making wine with >15% alcohol requires a special license (with associated fees, etc). Is the added cost worth it?
Happy Holidays,
a Wine Student
Well, I guess I do! As usual, I have awakened before my darling wife and have some time to kill before breakfast and the present unwrapping, so I thought I'd get one last review written in 2006.
I served the Black Star Farms Sirius Cherry Dessert Wine at a dessert wine tasting party that I held last weekend. Popped the leftovers in the freezer and decided to indulge myself on Christmas Eve after enjoying a bottle of Argyle 2002 "Nuthouse" Pinot Noir from Oregon over supper. The Sirius Cherry really hit the spot at 10:00 last night--just the thing for a late night topper. This little 375 mL bottle packs a punch with 17% alcohol. A gorgeous dark burgandy color, you first get a big cherry and brandy nose (the folks at Black Star distill their own cherry brandy to fortify this wine). Tastes like you're drinking those sweet cherries that you can buy at the roadside farm stands around Traverse City. Sweet, but not overly so. With the engraved bottle, this would make a great present for wine drinkers on your gift list. I still have one more drink left in the bottle, maybe for breakfast....
I like the idea of incorporating various fruit wines into a winery's portfolio, especially since Michigan has such a bounty of fruit growers. A question for future winery visits--are fortified fruit dessert wines better sellers than unfortified fruit wines? I believe making wine with >15% alcohol requires a special license (with associated fees, etc). Is the added cost worth it?
Happy Holidays,
a Wine Student
