Bartlett Wild Blueberry Wine Oak Dry

It's been a lazy Sunday afternoon, and I opened this bottle to pass the time while I was working on the computer. I first encountered this interesting dry blueberry wine while my wife and I were on our first anniversary trip in Boothbay Harbor, ME. We drank this wine while sitting on the balcony of the Anchor Watch B&B overlooking the harbor (Ah, the memories!). I picked up another bottle this fall ($19.99 at Big Jack's Cigars & Wines in Boothbay Harbor).

I was fascinated the first time by the wine because Bartlett Maine Estate Winery (www.bartlettwinery.com) only makes fruit wines since the Maine winters are not exactly kind to tender grapevines. Usually when one hears fruit wine, one expects a sweet wine that tastes and smells just like the fruit on the label. However, this is not your typical overly sweet commercial fruit wine. Bob & Kathe Bartlett have produced a very different wine from wild Maine low-bush blueberries that is reminescient of a fruity merlot.

Stats: 11.5% alcohol, dry
Color: Dark Ruby Garnet
Nose: Hints of vanilla & oak, greeted by the aroma of cherries & blackberries with a bright citric background. Maybe a touch of an overdose of sulfur dioxide in the finish.
Taste: Fruit forward bursts of blueberry, blackberry, and currant. Medium body with a nice finish. Hints of chocolate and leather in the after taste. Nice balance of fresh acidity and body.

This wine proves how versatile blueberries are in winemaking. Very interesting how the lowly blueberry brings forth hints of other fruits during the fermentation. This nice dry medium bodied wine should pair well with a variety of robust foods. The winemakers suggest pairing with lamb, venison, and turkey. I will concur with the turkey. We had some left over turkey from Christmas dinner that I tried with the wine. Very nice! The fresh acidity bit through the greasy and provided a nice counterpoint with the both dark and white meat. Move over Pinot Noir, I may start drinking Blueberry wine at Thanksgiving!

Unfortunately, this and other Bartlett wines are only available within the state of Maine. I've not been to the winery located east of Ellsworth in Gouldsboro, ME just off Route 1, but certainly plan on visiting this spring when we make the trek to Arcadia National Park. Bartlett's produces a variety of other fruit wines from apples, pears, blackberries, and raspberries ranging from dry to sweet. This should be a visit to look forward to!

Salute!
a Wine Student

Anne Amie 2001 Doe Ridge Vineyards Pinot Noir

To accompany my wife's wonderful Christmas dinner, I chose a bottle of Anne Amie 2001 Doe Ridge Vineyards Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir from Oregon's Willamette Valley is a personal favorite, and Anne Amie (formerly Chateau Benoit) was a delightful find during a tasting trip to Oregon in 2002. The winery is located in the Yamhill-Carlton District and specializes in Pinot Noir from sustainably farmed vineyards (www.anneamie.com).

I was a little concerned when I opened the bottle because the cork was stained to about the half-way point, indicating possible air infiltration and oxidation. In deed, I believe that was partially the case, because this was not the bright, fruit forward Pinot that I've come to expect from Anne Amie. Instead, this wine was one big complex sucka. Outright oxidation was minimal since the color was still an intense dark burgundy. Initially the nose and palate were filled with lots of leather and tobacco notes. After a little aeration, those notes submerged beneath complex fruit and oak flavors--cherry, mulberry, vanilla, blackberry to name just a few. In fact, the wine is at its prime the next day (vacuum sealed overnight) while I'm writing this post! The wine's complexity helped it stand up to the varied tastes of the meal. It didn't shine through on its own, but was a very good background partner to the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes.

Unfortunately, this wine is presumably not widely available any more. I purchased it several years ago as part of my Anne Amie Wine Club membership (retail price at the time was in the $40-50 range). If you have it in your collection, enjoy it with a good meal.

Salute!
A Wine Student

Random Wine Trails

I'm starting this blog to provide a place to jot my thoughts on wines from around the world that I've tasted, as well as notes on my random wine travels. My wine cellar contains wine from around the United States--California, Oregon, Michigan, New York, and Virginia, as well as around the world--France, Chile, Argentina, Australia, Italy, and Spain. All reviews are based on my personal senses, and will not be swayed by any other source of information or opinion. Bribes will be politely declined, although I fully support the giving of educational stipends and travel funds!

Come along for the ride and enjoy my gastronomic journey!

Salute!