This week's recommended Michigan wine
2007 Longview Reserve Cherry Port Leelanau Peninsula , $18
Fortified cherry dessert wines are a fabulous specialty for Michigan wineries. They are unique -- and they work. This one is a blend of Montmorency and Balaton tart cherries, pressed and barrel-fermented in bourbon barrels, and aged in new French oak. The nose is a blast of sweet-tart cherries and vanilla. Texture in the mouth is creamy, and the added spirits lift up and frame those cherry flavors. This port is made for serving with dense flourless chocolate cakes -- anything that's decadent with chocolate. It's a cheery wine -- and heaven knows we need a bit of that. Do consider cherry ports for special holiday treats and gifts. If I can grandstand for a minute, I think cherry ports should be held up in the same esteem as Michigan Rieslings. They are who we are -- a state with a long, rich history of growing cherries. It's something we do well -- as fruit and wine.
