Climate change is causing terrible changes across the planet. Disasters and desolation are now the daily lives of millions of humans, and yet for some, there is an advantage to these climatic disturbances. The American East Coast has warmed by more than two degrees Celsius in the last thirty years, which also means that the hours of sunshine and hot days have increased considerably. For certain plants (such as vines) in certain geographical areas (such as New England), this is finally an opportunity to be able to plant and harvest quality grapes with maturations which allow the production of very good quality wines, and with good aging potential.

In love with my region and its agricultural potential, I try to spend time whenever I can to discover and promote our regional products. This is why I took the time to meet Kate Cartwright at Shelburne Vineyard this Monday to discuss and taste their club wines that are not available on the Massachusetts market. (Shelburne Vineyard also represents Iapetus and Eden Cider). Shelburne Vineyard was founded by Ken Albert in 1998. The vineyard is in the Shelburne Valley on a series of sandy and limestone soils, and Tunbridge (Loamy and acidic soil formed in glacial till and whose rocky substrate of granite, cilice, schist, quartz, is non-calcareous and is located at a depth of between 20 and 40 inches below the surface). The vineyard thanks to its proximity of Lake Champlain and its various small rivers, has the advantage of creating a microclimate conducive to new generation vines, like the Marquette.

Marquette is a hybrid grape (Clone between MN 1094 and Ravat 262) created at the University of Minnesota in the United States, where there is a prestigious laboratory dedicated to the creation of hybrid grape varieties. Frontenac white, gray and black, La Crescent, Louise Swenson and many others were developed by these vine experts adapted to the coldest climates in the world and resistant to vine diseases. Marquette was marketed and implemented from 2006 and since then this grape, recognized for its vigor and resistance to disease, has produced exceptional wines.

Shelburne Vineyard, Marquette Reserve 2021, McCabe's Brook Vineyard

Eastern Champlain Valley, Shelburne, Vermont

The exceptional year of 2021 allowed this harvest wine to spend 18 months in neutral oak barrels (not new). Produced in very small quantities of only a few barrels, this wine reaches a 14.7 degree of alcohol (ABV) which is normally impossible in the Vermont climate. This wine comes only from grapes from the McCabe Brook Vineyard grown organically (not certified).

With a deep purple color with ruby ​​highlights, the wine is bright and flawless, which already announces the possibility of high-quality potential. A clean, very present nose which expresses an aromatic bouquet rich in red and black fruits, with a complexity of spices from a thousand and one nights like, dry stick of cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, forest sawdust, sweetness of charcoal, and dried herbs of oregano, thyme, with a touch of white pepper and a sprig of wild cornflower flowers. The palate is fresh and fluid, without too much body or alcohol, round and easy to drink with notes of blond leather, tobacco leaves, roasted chocolate and black coffee, red fruits such as wild black mulberry and blueberry. Medium body, its finish is graceful with beautiful acidity and firm but harmonious tannins.

It’s autumn, so when I tasted this wine, I dreamed of a Couscous Royal, or a lamb tajin. It will be also perfect with extremely spicy-hot Indian food.

This wine is part of the exclusive selection of wines for the month of September for the Bonde Wine Club, and is therefore not available in the store. If you want to taste it, like all the wines imported every month for the Wine Club, you must be a member of the club.

Sign up for our Wine Club here.