Madison Originals Magazine Madison Originals Magazine May 2014 | Page 44
By
Callie
Steffen
Roth Kase Grand Cru Gruyere, Pleasant
Ridge Upland Reserve, or Carr Valley
Benedictine.
2011 Wollersheim Winery Port
2011 Wollersheim Winery Port,
$25.99 for a 750ml bottle
In production since 2001, this style
of Port is closest to a ruby in terms of
style. The winery again sources grapes
from New York, this time utilizing the
Maréchal Foch varietal. Heavier on the
palate and less perfumed than the white
port, this example brings plenty of
molasses, raspberry kirsch, prune, and
subtle chocolate nuances to the table.
Try this one with Hook’s Paradise Blue or
Sartori Sarvecchio.
$25.99 for a 750ml bottle
Finale
A Heavenly
It’s the magical time of day when the
sun is setting low over a gorgeous early
summer day. Savoring the last few bites
of a delicious evening meal, our palates
yearn for something sweet. You know
who you are—clean plate club member
with a pleasantly full stomach who,
instead of asking your server to bring
the check, sheepishly asks to peek at
the dessert menu. There is a small,
yet undeniable part of our brains that
craves something sugary to cap off a
great dinner. But dessert doesn’t always
have to be in the form of crème brulee
or bread pudding. Dessert wines come
in all shapes and sizes and most of them
pair blissfully with the abundance of
artisanal cheese Wisconsin has to offer.
as well as an ice wine and a brandy made
from locally grown grapes? All of these
seasonal creations are labors of love and
not too be missed. They are the perfect
substitute for traditional dessert and can
significantly enhance an after-dinner
cheese tray.
2012 Wollersheim Winery White Port
2012 Wollersheim Winery White
When most people think of dessert
wines, Port instantly comes to mind.
Do you know Wollersheim Winery
produces three distinctive styles of Port,
44 | m a d i s o n o r i g i n a l s m a g a z i n e
$26.99 for a 750ml bottle
Port, $26.99 for a 750ml bottle
Co-owner and winemaker Philippe
Coquard sources Muscat grapes from
New York for this Port. Traditionally
drunk in southern France as an aperitif
instead of a dessert wine, this is the
lightest and most aromatic of the three
Ports the winery puts out.1 Deep straw
yellow in color with the classic spicy
honeysuckle nose characteristic of the
Muscat grape. Honeyed pear is married
with white flower, grape must, and
candied peach notes. It pairs nicely with
2009 Wollersheim Tawny Port
2009 Wollersheim Tawny Port, $48
for a 750ml bottle
A small percentage of the (Ruby or
Red) Port is set aside for four additional
years of barrel aging in American oak
barrels.2 This lengthy maturation process
allows the dessert wine to develop not
only interesting flavor components, but
a richer texture. Mellow in style with
cinnamon, burnt caramel, walnuts,
and mocha elements. This bottling is
extremely limited; your best bet for
obtaining a bottle is to go to the winery
directly. Sublime with Roelli’s Dunbarton
Blue or Bleu Mont Dairy Bandaged
Cheddar.
$48 for a 750ml bottle
2011 Wollersheim Ice Wine
2011 Wollersheim Ice Wine, $54.99
for a 375ml bottle
The cold Wisconsin climate lends itself
quite well to sweeter white varietals
such as the St. Pepin grape used in this
exquisite dessert wine. There’s a reason
why ice wine has such a cult following—
$54.99 for a 375ml bottle