Booze Thread: What're you drinking at?

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[Bryan]

it's a Merlot.

Isn't that pronounced Merlo-T?

I still love that story - hi Mike, if you're listening!

[Bellatrix]

it's a Merlot.

Isn't that pronounced Merlo-T?

I still love that story - hi Mike, if you're listening!

I think it's "mer-low" or something...but I'm going to start saying "mer-lot" to piss wine snobs off  .

And what is this story? I assume it's something to do with Merlo-T? Do tell!!!

 

With the way the weather is right now, I would love to go on a vacation to California. I already told Jeremy we're going to California at some point, just cause I need to go visit some vineyards .

If you want something that's closer for a long weekend trip:  I've read that the wineries up in Michigan make some wines that rival those from California.  A lot of the area's grapes are grown on the Old Mission Peninsula which, being surrounded by the east and west arms of the Grand Traverse Bay, is a very mild, temperate area, which is well suited to growing grapes.  St. Julian is a big operation, true, but the really good ones are the smaller wineries up north in the Old Mission area, which offer sampling and winery tours.  (I used to buy some from Chateau Grand Traverse to send away as gifts, and they were well received.  )  I could recommend stopping at The Bowery for dinner (in Bower's Harbor, on the peninsula): they have the best ribs in the area, and some great lake perch. 

Our local market has a section devoted to Michigan wines, also, along with other regional wines from around the world.  We're no wine drinkers, but if anyone ever had a taste for something other than the Boone's Farm, I'd know where to point them.

Rudy, I'd love to visit some Michigan wineries. Jeremy's not a wine drinker either but I'm sure he'd be up for a weekend trip to Michigan at some point. I'll have to do some reading up on Michigan wines. I'd love to bring some back when I go to the states this weekend but we're only going for the day and there's that 48 hour rule to worry about . Are there any wineries in your area of Michigan??

And The Bowery sounds like it would be a great place to eat! I LOVE lake perch (yellow perch is my favourite).

[mrpig]

Well I’m glad you found something from California.  Barefoot is pretty low on the totem but it works.  Fetzer is about the same.  I’d imagine that you’ll have a hard time finding the good stuff unless there’s some sort of specialty shop you can go to.  I know your Government controls all the alcohol sales so that might not even be possible.  You really just need to come visit and I’ll give you a tour. 

[Rudy]

Rudy, I'd love to visit some Michigan wineries. Jeremy's not a wine drinker either but I'm sure he'd be up for a weekend trip to Michigan at some point. I'll have to do some reading up on Michigan wines. I'd love to bring some back when I go to the states this weekend but we're only going for the day and there's that 48 hour rule to worry about . Are there any wineries in your area of Michigan??

No wineries here--we're still in suburbia.    I think the St. Julian winery is over in St. Joseph, MI on the west side of the state, but they have outlet stores scattered around.  They have two products I like: there's a wine vinegar/Italian salad dressing they sell that is pretty good, and their sparkling fruit juice spumante choices are neat (they have a raspberry, a wild berry, a couple based on grapes, etc.).   Something you can serve in the fancy glasses and not be hung over.    (Or in our case, not up all night with acid reflux; hidden advice here--try not to turn 40. )

The smaller "boutique" wineries are up north on the Old Mission and Leelenau peninsulas, but there are others scattered around the state.  I actually haven't been up north in many years--it just got too congested up there during summer weekends.  But if you did go to the Old Mission area, which is in the Traverse City vicinity, there are other small towns nearby (Charlevoix, Petoskey, etc.), and you're really not that far from Mackinac Island either, which is good for a day trip itself. 

Here's a site that might help:  http://www.michiganwines.com

And The Bowery sounds like it would be a great place to eat! I LOVE lake perch (yellow perch is my favourite). 

I just hope The Bowery is still in business--it could have been at least eight years since I've been there!  They had a great reputation, and fantastic food, so I would think they survived the economy.  There are actually two restaurants in that building.  Upstairs is the Bowers Harbor Inn, a fancy restaurant with white linens, water goblets and gourmet food.  Around back on the lower level is The Bowery, which is noisy, informal, and rustic, almost like a lodge.  And I hope the food is still good...

[vortech]

Well, now.  It's winter, and people are taking booze advice on a thread.  Time to pimp my drink that will totally take off, I swear. 


Also, everybody's talking about bourbon, but nobody's talking about blanton's special reserve or pappy van winkle?  I find this odd and will correct it one sentence ago. It's for being fancy, though.  Mostly I'm just drinking knob creek. 

[adamsappel]

I kept the fancy stopper from my bottle of Blanton's. I also mentioned Rip Van Winkle in my post, but sadly I could not afford the $80 for the 20-year-old bourbon. I have had the 12-year-old (twss) and their rye. Good stuff.

[vortech]

Oh, and elija craig.  18yo, I think.  best smelling bourbon I ever smelled.  One of the worst aftertastes - but other people seem to like it a lot.  I just like smelling it. 

[Bryan]

I just like smelling it.

must...resist...

[Bryan]

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!

[Bellatrix]

You have no self-control, Bryan  .

Wait for it....

TWSS

[vortech]

This is a test of the overused trope identification system.  This is only a test:

Noun.

Thank you for your cooperation.

[Sparkz]

Also, everybody's talking about bourbon, but nobody's talking about blanton's special reserve or pappy van winkle?  I find this odd and will correct it one sentence ago. It's for being fancy, though.  Mostly I'm just drinking knob creek. 

My dad gave me a bottle of Blanton's for Christmas.  Its very good.  I still like Woodford Reserve better though.