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WWOL Enjoys Tasting at The Earle Restaurant

Exploring Wines Across Vintages and Varietals

Recently WineWomenOnline.com (WWOL) and friends spent a delightful evening tasting wine and enjoying accompanying small plates at the Earle Restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Earle has been a stalwart of a restaurant for Ann Arborites and suburbanites alike for over 30 years. This gem of a restaurant offers a mix of both French and Italian country inspired cuisine not to mention a wine list that is second to none within the state of Michigan and perhaps the entire Midwest. Following is the lineup of wine and food pairings for the evening. WWOL had a private room at The Earle that was perfect for the group and can accommodate anywhere from 12 – 20 guests.  For the menu and wine selection WWOL conferred with Steve Goldberg (Sommelier) and Dennis Webster (Owner).   The wines selected were value wines for the most part with the exception of the Fixin 2002 Mongeard Mugneret and the 2003 Siegerrebe Beerenauslese. 

For starters:  Cremant De Bourgogne Brut Simonet Febvre , a French Burgundy Sparkling Wine, accompanied by cucumber slices topped with salmon mousse. The appellation Cremant de Bourgogne was created in 1973 and replaced that of Bourgogne Mousseux. The appellation is the generic term for sparkling wines of all colors from the Burgundy region. All grape varieties grown in Burgundy are allowed in the Cremant, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay and Aligote-Pinot Blanc, although Gamay may not constitute more than 20% of the blend. This sparkling wine is the only one made in the Chablis region.  It had crisp citrus fruit flavors, mineral with a bit of a tart apple and mousse finish- there should be more like these in Chablis.

For the next course WWOL chose white wines from both Germany and the Alsace region of France. The wines were selected to compare the different characteristics of the Riesling grape from two different countries and regions:  Saar, Ockfener Bock, Dr. Fischer Kabinett 2000  (German Riesling) and the  Riesling 2004 Les Princess Abbes Schlumberger (Alsace). The room was somewhat split as to preference.  The German Riesling offered a bit more sweet and fruity tones with the Alsace being more dry with some yellow fruit offering a mineral aspect as French wines tend to do. This was followed by a Gewurztraminer 2006 Portrait Paul Zinck (Alsace). The Gewurztraminer was nice but did not have the expected spiciness that you come to expect from a Gewurtz. It was pleasant, however. Paul Zinck is known for producing very pleasing and affordable Alsace wines, good for summertime enjoyment. The wines were enjoyed with Cheese Tortellini filled with proscuitto and a cream sauce. 

Now on to the Reds. [As an interlude between the White Wines, WWOL enjoyed a refreshing sorbet made fresh from the kitchen of The Earle.] The first red was a 2004 Umberto FioreBarbera d’alba, Italian Barbera from the Piedmont region. This was a really nice wine and a surprise hit.  It had some nice fruit going for it, ripe cherries & chock full of fruit juicyness, good stuff here. With this wine WWOL enjoyed Bruchetta with various accoutrements.   The second Red was Fixin 2002 Mongeard Mugneret, a French Burgundy. Pinot Noirs from Burgundy are what it is all about, there is a real elegance about these wines and this was no exception. This showed of tart cherry, licorice, and even some spice thrown in, it was wonderful as usual. Beef Tenderloin accompanied this wine and went great with the Pinot.  For the grand finale we enjoyed a 2003 Siegerrebe Beerenauslese desert wine from Germany. It was very luscious bearing to mind essences of honey and lavender, very grand indeed. The best was yet to come; however, with homemade Pear ice cream. If you have never tried this you should. It was made special for WWOL and was heavenly.   All in all this was a mighty fine evening of dining, enjoying wine and great company.  If you have never been to The Earle or have not been to the restaurant in a long time, check it out, it is a gem and should be cherished and patronized.  For additional information regarding The Earle or the above wines, feel free to send an email to:  contactus@winewomenonline.com.  Cheers!
 

Created: 6/2/2008 Edited: 6/10/2008