Anthony, our Plum Market Wine Team Leader, isn’t famous but he sometimes dresses as if he were, so Darin (Assistant Store Team Leader), took a moment to interview him in anticipation of our June 13^th opening.

D: What’s your favorite movie?

A: ‘Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia’

D: That is a good and uncommon answer.

A: Thank you.

D: You can have any wine, any food you want with it, anywhere in the world at any time in history. What would you have?

A: A 2007 William Fevre Chablis Bougros, Oysters, in Paris in…1996.

D: Why 1996?

A: Why not? Hey, would the time-space continuum thingy make my wine disappear?

D: It might. You might have to go with an existing vintage. I don’t know how The Theory of Relativity works on wine. What can we expect opening weekend from the Plum Wine Team?

A: On Friday, June 14^th we’ll be hosting an Austrian wine tasting – two sessions 11-3 and 4-8.

D: What’s your most loved Austrian Wine?

A: The 2010 Wiener Gemischter Satz. Come on down and we’ll taste it together.

Both the wines mentioned will be part of Plum’s opening day inventory. Anthony is pictured pretending to stand at our wine bar (still under construction). Come visit some lovely summer evening after we open and enjoy a bottle. See you soon!

Join the conversation: #plummarketCHI

It may not feel like it now, but it’s Spring, and warm weather is just around the corner! What does that mean for beer drinkers? It means everyone’s favorite, fruity summer ale is back! Our shelves are stocked with Bell’s Oberon. Enjoy this seasonal wheat beer with one of our many exotic selections of citrus fruit or some succulent, red raspberries for a perfect warm weather snack.

Spring beers have something to offer for everyone. So what else is our beer team drinking this season? They’ve come up with a couple of their favorite craft selections for you…

Experience one of Grand Rapid’s finest brews, Founders All Day IPA. It’s sharp hop profile, light body, and pleasantly crisp, bitter finish is perfect for an afternoon ball game or BBQ. Like Oberon and All Day IPA? How about Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’? This unique California beer flaunts a silky body, strong hoppiness and a complex wheat flavor that is sure to help you relax after some springtime gardening or mowing the lawn on a sunny afternoon.

April is Michigan Wine Month! Don’t miss the Michigan Wine Showcase; in the meantime here’s a handful of Michigan wines that are dependably excellent, vintage after vintage!  Their wineries and winemakers have set a standard that makes us proud.

L. Mawby Blanc de Blancs, Leelanau Peninsula

Sleek, dry sparkling wines from northern Michigan’s master of bubbles, Larry Mawby.  Try using it instead of a French Blanc de Blancs Champagne, and look to be happily surprised!

Bel Lago Auxerrois, Leelanau Peninsula

(Pronounced “oh-zair-rah”)  A sophisticated Chardonnay alternative, made from a lesser known European white varietal.  Complex and dry.

Left Foot Charley Pinot Blanc, Old Mission Peninsula

Left Foot Charley takes the modest Pinot Blanc grape to an artistic level!  Bryan Ulbrich is the irrepressible owner-winemaker – pick up any of of his bottlings and look to be fulfilled. And check out his whimsical website!

Chateau Fontaine Pinot Gris, Leelanau Peninsula

Silky smooth dry white wine – it’ll make you stop buying Italian Pinot Grigio!  Chateau Fontaine’s wines have gotten terrific critical acclaim within the past couple of years.  Owners Dan and Lucie Matthies are the nicest people, you can’t help but celebrate their success.

Chateau Grand Traverse Gamay Noir, Old Mission Peninsula

Softly dry, lighter-bodied and easy drinking, an excellent Pinot Noir alternative!  Gamay is the red grape in France’s Beaujolais region.

Black Star Farms “Leorie Vineyard”, Old Mission Peninsula

A Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend, one of the most impressive red wines that Michigan makes.  Rich, full-flavored and age-worthy.  From a very special vineyard site on Old Mission, an amphitheater that protects the vines from the northern elements.

-Contributed by Madeline Triffon #madpicks

Contributor:  Jeffrey Mar, CSW | West Bloomfield Wine Team Leader

We asked Jeff what’s happening on the local scene in the beverage world.  Here’s what he had to say:

LIQUOR

Going local is no longer a trend; it is a way of life.  Michigan has in recent years eased restrictions on small distillers and we are beginning to see the fruits of their labors on our shelves. New Holland Distillery in Holland, Michigan has been at the forefront of this craft-distilling movement and is keeping us busy trying to grab a case of their small-batch whiskeys.  Rifino Valentine has found a home for Valentine Distillery in Ferndale, Michigan and has recently launched a fresh, citrusy Liberator gin, with plans to launch a whiskey in the next few months.  Other small distilleries to watch for in Michigan – Journeyman in Three Oaks, Michigan is about to release a limited batch Ravenswood Organic Rye; Northern United Brewing, comprised of Jolly Pumpkin, Grizzly Peak and North Peak,  has entered the scene this past year with their ‘Civilized’ line of spirits including Sakura cherry vodka and White Dog.

Overall, vodka still rules the market in Metro-Detroit with big international brands maintaining a strong presence on the liquor shelves. McClure’s Bloody Mary mix, from a local pickle packing family, has been a hot item this winter season.

BEER

Local Michigan breweries have been leading the charts in the beer department, with Kalamazoo based Bell’s Brewery topping that. Jolly Pumpkin, Founder’s and New Holland are in demand breweries, keeping the calendar filled with exciting release date schedules.  Seasonals such as Bell’s Hopslam bring a flurry of anticipatory phone calls from local hop heads.

Look for brewers to release craft lagers, supplementing the hopped-up IPA’s and dark stouts that have been center-stage.  Look for thirst-quenching, crisp and refreshing six-packs from craft brewers that won’t bust the bank or end-up in a basement collection.

WINE

Metro-Detroit has a love for wine, always has, and that love is growing!  People are drinking wine every day with meals, bringing bottles to parties, and stocking their cellars with new vintages and styles.  We are seeing huge turn-outs at casual and formal wine-tasting events and the growth of a savvy clientele that knows the basics and is looking for what to drink next!

Sticking to local is always a smart idea, and Michigan wines are on the rise.  We are seeing a few new wineries enter the scene, and greater quality from established favorites like Blackstar Farms, L. Mawby, and Chateau Grand Traverse.

Big Little wines, loosely connected with Mawby, have brought us some fantastic new labels recently – the lush white blend, Mixtape has been the hit this winter; Verterra is producing a range of high-acid whites that we have recently noticed. Chateau Fontaine has completed a custom crush pad facility that has sent their wines over the top for quality and value.

Wednesday, February 6th 6:30-8pm

CRU Wine Bar in the West Bloomfield Plum Market will host an exclusive lecture and tasting moderated by our very own Madeline Triffon, MS. Madeline will provide in-depth commentary on 9 iconic Gaja wines; see below for a complete list. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and you’ll have the opportunity to purchase the wines you taste that very evening. Space is very limited with only 25 seats available.

The Piedmont’s Angelo Gaja is credited with putting great Italian wines on the map, both for the sheer quality of his own wines and his tremendous influence on worldwide perception of all Italian wines.

Seating is extremely limited. Purchase Tickets online for $125 at rsvp.plummarket.com

Please know that the total value of this collection for tasting is over $2500:

2010 Gaia & Rey (Chardonnay)

2009 Barbaresco – 93 RP2005 Sperss (Nebbiolo) – 93 RP

2009 Costa Russi (Nebbiolo) – 94 RP

2009 Sori Tildin (Nebbiolo) – 96 RP

2009 Sori San Lorenzo (Nebbiolo) – 96 RP

2009 Ca’ Marcanda ‘Magari’ (Merlot Blend) – 92 RP

2007 Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino ‘Sugarille’ – 95 ST

2010 Rossj-Bass (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)

RP – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

ST – Stephen Tanzer

Tuesday, February 5th 6:30-8pm

CRU Wine Bar will host an exclusive walk-around style informal tasting of 10 iconic Gaja wines; see below for a complete list. Our very own Madeline Triffon, MS will provide in-depth commentary during the tasting and be on hand to answer any questions. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and you’ll have the opportunity to purchase the wines you taste that very evening. Space will be very limited with only 50 tickets available.

Space is very limited. Purchase Tickets for $75 at rsvp.plummarket.com

Please know that the total value of this collection for tasting is over $1500:
2010 Rossj-Bass (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)
2010 Gaia & Rey (Chardonnay)
2009 Barbaresco – 93 RP
2007 Barolo ‘Dagromis’2010 Sito Moresco (Nebbiolo, Merlot, Cabernet)
2009 Sori Tildin (Nebbiolo) – 96 RP
2007 Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino
2007 Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello ‘Rennina’- 94 RP
2009 Ca’Marcanda ‘Magari’ (Merlot Blend) – 92 RP
2010 Ca’Marcanda ‘Promis’ (Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese)

RP – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
ST – Stephen Tanzer

Plum Market invites you to a unique, captivating wine glass seminar & tasting with Georg J. Riedel!

“The effect of these glasses on fine wine is profound. I cannot emphasize enough what a difference they make.” Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate

Join us as Georg J. Riedel, 10^th generation of the Riedel family, guides us through the experience of how a Riedel glass can dramatically increase our enjoyment of wine.

Ticket price includes three Riedel XL wine glasses with a value of $105
And a tasting of premium Pinot Noir, Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon

Friday, January 25, 2012

Champagne reception, 6 pm

Tasting Seminar, 6:30 pm sharp

$65 per person

Purchase Your Tickets Online

Our in-house Master Sommelier, Madeline Triffon, sat down with WDVD’s Blaine and Allyson for some “Bubbly Banter” in a segment we’ve come to call Entertaining with Taste. Madeline gives us the scoop on Sparkling Wine just in time for the Holiday Season.

Take a listen at  96.3 WDVD Interview

Or download the Champagne Tasting Notes with some helpful hints on Champagne, Not Just for Toasts!

Check out Blaine and Allyson’s website for more ideas on how to Entertain with Taste and listen live on January 3rd for a chance to win a Plum Market Gift Card!

If you have recently moved away from Syrah after many disappointments, this is the one wine that ought to bring you back. Domaine Durand is from two brothers, Eric and Joël, whose vineyards lie in France’s Northern Rhône, home of the greatest Syrahs the world has ever seen. The Durands own vineyards in Cornas and St. Joseph, two of Northern Rhône’s choicest sites and their recently released 2010 Syrah is perhaps their finest yet. A blend of younger vines from the estate vineyards, it offers an explosion of flavors which seduce and caress the palate without overpowering it. Black raspberries, anise, bacon come to mind . . . along with a finish that lingers on and on. By far our best-value Syrah.

This recommendation brought you by Rod Johnson, wine team leader in Ann Arbor