Why should grapes get to have all the fun? Let’s talk about mead: wine from honey.
I received a couple sample bottles mead from Bee D’Vine: Brut and Demi Sec. I thought the former was going to be sparkling (which really intrigued me) but the Brut designation here just means dry.
What surprised me about the Brut was how subtle and elegant it was This was no Winnie-the-Pooh-esque honey pot of a mead. It would be a lovely aperitif and I’d be very curious to see what a creative bartender could do with it. Food-wise, I’d treat it like a fino sherry: think almonds, cured ham.
The Demi Sec has some sweetness–but is not cloying–and packs more of the sultry aroma and texture of honey. Stronger or hard cheeses would be a great match.
Winemaker-cum-meadmaker Wayne Donaldson gives some background as to why lover’s of the fermented grape like myself might find Bee D’Vine appealing. From their website:
“When [Bee D’Vine Founder] Ayele Solomon approached me in 2010 about making honey wine, I became interested because, while honey wine had a long history of production, there were none that I knew of that had broad appeal to grape wine enthusiasts.
“So our goal was to reintroduce mead as smooth honey wine that would not only appeal to people who already enjoy t’ej, the traditional Ethiopian honey wine, or regular mead, but also to people who appreciate grape wine. Thus we set out to make a wine with the floral and fragrant qualities of honey while also possessing the balance and complexity of grape wine. Bee d’Vine is the result of years of winery trials employing the latest fermentation science and using fresh, raw, local honey and pure spring water.”
Read “The Economic Power of Honey“. Solomon, a native Ethiopian, hopes to make mead production a vehicle for economic and environmental change in Ethiopia’s Kafa forest.
Image from Bee D’Vine’s Facebook page.
I live in the Okanagan and love this winery and the mead they make. I highly recommend trying their Bliss wine. Spicy, colourful and just amazing.
http://www.meadowvista.ca/
Enjoy!
Amy
Amy,
Thanks for the tip; it’s cool to see people in (grape) wine country turning to honey.
Best,
Jameson
I love mead, and drink locally Maine made mead, but these sound intriguing. I also went to their website and it;s a great thing they are doing for the bees locally and globally!
Barbara,
Cool to hear about mead across the country. Support the bees!
Best,
Jameson
Oh, this sounds good!! I wonder if it’s available in Tennessee? When we were in Charleston we visited Savanna Bee Company and tried their mead.
Pam,
Seems like mead could be the next big thing, huh?
Best,
Jameson
I’ve never heard of honey wine. Floral notes and honey though sound amazing, will have to try!
Mischa,
My prior experience with mead had been with some very funky ones. This is much different.
Best,
Jameson
I’ve heard about mead, but only in books about previous centuries and romantic picnics in places I’m not likely to get to. You make the case for bringing mead into the 21st Century and finding a bottle at my local wine store – I do hope that the bees last long enough for this to take off and become a staple wine that lots more people get to enjoy.
Laura,
Yes, hope the bees are around forever!
Best,
Jameson
I love honey and I love wine, so you know I love a good mead. I love seeking local honeys while traveling, never thought to seek out new meads until now!
My husband and I just made our own mead a few years ago. It has to sit for awhile but totally worth it!
Wow, really cool. Do you have bees or did you just buy honey. Either way, impressed!