Friday evening your WC went to a fun & funky tasting at a new wine store in downtown Detroit. Motor City Wine (MCW)  www.motorcitywine.com  is a  new spot that aims to bring their customers good wines at great prices.

They had a varied selection of wines accompanied by appetizers from the acclaimed Atlas Global Bistro on Woodward. All the wines were less than $20. The WC especially liked the following:

1. 2007 Domaine De Font-Sane Vielle Vignes (means old vines) from the Cotes du Ventoux in France $12. This pleasant charmer from the South of France is earthy and briary with hints of chocolate on the nose.
2. 2007 Chapoutier “Bila Haut”  is from Chapoutier’s operation in Roussillon, under the direction of winemaker Gilles Troullier. This blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan has dark fruit on the palate and some hearty tannins on the finish. $15
3. 2008 Venta Morales Tempranillo (La Mancha, Spain) This one is a great value. Good depth and length with cherries and spices. $7
4. 2006 Altos de Luzon (Junilla, Spain) Rich, round and fruity wit balckberry & plum. Could use a bit of aging. $16
5. L. Mawby Blanc de Noir (Leelanau Peninsula, MI) A savory sparkler from one of Michigan’s best winemakers. Creamy & toasty, great for the money. $20
6. 2007 Charles Smith “Eve” Chardonnay (Columbia Valley, WA) There’s a reason this is called “Eve”-it’s all about the apples. Adam would have liked this apply, juicy-fruit Chardonnay from Washington. Delicious. $14
7. 2008 Morande “Pionero’ Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley, Chile) Soft as a baby’s cheek. Perfumy, with rose petals and cherries. Very light but fun for the money. $8

David and Mark have a solid selection of value-priced wines in their upstairs space.