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
