Wine Down Thursday: Spring Sparkles!
May 21 from 6 to 7:30pm
Sampler: $20/person

This week, we're turning up the fizz! As warmer days finally beckon, there's no better way to toast the season than with a flight of sparkling wines that span three remarkable corners of the winemaking world. This Thursday, we travel from the cool shores of Lake Michigan to the sun-drenched hillsides of Catalonia, with a dreamy detour through the Loire Valley along the way. Our journey begins close to home with the 2024 Wine Pirati Resa, a 100% Riesling sparkling from right here in Michigan — proof that the Great Lakes region has some serious effervescent talent. From there, we cross the Atlantic to the chalky slopes of Vouvray, where the NV Domaine des Aubuisières Brut showcases Chenin Blanc at its most lively and elegant. We close in style with the 2022 Jaume Giro i Giro Cava Brut Nature, a Catalan gem that brings earthy depth and a bone-dry finish to the table. Three regions, one gorgeous evening. Let the bubbles flow!

Featured Wines:
2024 Wine Pirati Resa
Meet the rebel of the evening. Wine Pirati — "Wine Pirates" — is a small-batch Michigan producer with a knack for coaxing something truly unexpected from the Great Lakes shoreline. Their 2024 Resa is crafted entirely from Riesling, a grape that thrives in Michigan's cool, continental climate. Look for delicate streams of fine bubbles, lifting aromas of green apple, white peach, and a whisper of Meyer lemon zest, underscored by that signature Riesling minerality. On the palate it's refreshing and lively, with a bright acidity that makes it an ideal warm-weather opener. Local pride, bottled with a little pirate spirit.

NV Domaine des Aubuisières Vouvray Brut
The name Aubuisières refers to "Aubuis," a local soil composed of tuffeau limestone and fossilized sea creatures mixed with clay. Bernard Fouquet, who inherited his initial plots from his father André, has become a master of the region's Chenin Blanc. This sparkling Vouvray is a classic example of the style. The nose offers aromas of golden apple, brioche, and toasted almond, leading to a palate that is exceptionally crisp with a persistent, creamy mousse.

2022 Jaume Giro i Giro Cava Brut Nature
From the sun-baked hills of Catalonia comes a Cava that lets the land do the talking. Jaume Giro i Giro farms with deep respect for the earth, crafting this Brut Nature without added dosage — meaning zero residual sugar, nothing to hide behind. The result is a wine of raw, honest character built on the classic Cava trio of Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. Expect crisp green citrus, toasted almond, and a chalky minerality that lingers beautifully. Bone-dry, structured, and alive with natural energy, this is traditional Catalan winemaking at its most authentic. One sip and you'll understand why natural Cava deserves a permanent spot in your glass.