I'm surprised no mention has yet been made of these, but maybe it is because most folks are not on the East Coast (though the thread on Watkins Glen wineries was pretty extensive).
Anyway, by way of introduction, Carroll's is the Official Mead of the NY Renaissance Faire (Tuxedo Park, NY). Ever since I was a youngin' I wanted to visit this Faire..and was also taken with the romance of MEAD. Finally, at the ripe old age of 51, with my 2 year old in tow, I went to the FAIRE and had my first Mead. It was a hot day, the Mead was chilled and sweet and I really liked it. This sent me to Google for Mead searching, and I ordered some Carroll's, found Gotmead.com, quickly ordered a bunch of supplies and am anxiously awaiting turning out my first batches of JAO, and other fine recipes from here. I also ordered a bottle Sheba T'ej Ethiopian Honey wine (also made at the Brotherhood winery).
I was hoping to convert my wife to Mead to save money on the Plum Wine she is addicted to, but she didn't like the Carroll's..and, I have to say... Neither did I very much!! 8.9% ABV and very sweet. I figure it is back sweetened. In the privacy of my own home, it recalled to me the somewhat cloying taste of Manischewitz Cream Concord! I HAVE to believe that the Mead I can produce at home is going to taste BETTER than this.
The Sheba T'ej was 13.9% and not sulfited, so I figure it was some yeast that ran its course with some residual sugar. Still sweet but not so cloying, it has some additional flavor..somewhat Medicinal which is probably some herb or spice addition. I kind of liked it..certainly didn't keep me from drinking it..but again she hated it.
Never having tasted any other Meads, but having read almost everything on site here, I am convinced that I haven't yet experienced the true glory of MEAD...but hope to remedy that soon when my carboys are bubbling away!
Links:
Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville, NY
http://www.brotherhoodwinery.net
Specialty Wine page including Carroll's and Sheba T'eg
http://www.brotherhoodwinery.net/pages/shopbycategory.asp?viewwinecategoryid=1
Winechateau.com - Cheaper than ordering from the Brotherhood winery itself
http://www.winechateau.com
Anyway, by way of introduction, Carroll's is the Official Mead of the NY Renaissance Faire (Tuxedo Park, NY). Ever since I was a youngin' I wanted to visit this Faire..and was also taken with the romance of MEAD. Finally, at the ripe old age of 51, with my 2 year old in tow, I went to the FAIRE and had my first Mead. It was a hot day, the Mead was chilled and sweet and I really liked it. This sent me to Google for Mead searching, and I ordered some Carroll's, found Gotmead.com, quickly ordered a bunch of supplies and am anxiously awaiting turning out my first batches of JAO, and other fine recipes from here. I also ordered a bottle Sheba T'ej Ethiopian Honey wine (also made at the Brotherhood winery).
I was hoping to convert my wife to Mead to save money on the Plum Wine she is addicted to, but she didn't like the Carroll's..and, I have to say... Neither did I very much!! 8.9% ABV and very sweet. I figure it is back sweetened. In the privacy of my own home, it recalled to me the somewhat cloying taste of Manischewitz Cream Concord! I HAVE to believe that the Mead I can produce at home is going to taste BETTER than this.
The Sheba T'ej was 13.9% and not sulfited, so I figure it was some yeast that ran its course with some residual sugar. Still sweet but not so cloying, it has some additional flavor..somewhat Medicinal which is probably some herb or spice addition. I kind of liked it..certainly didn't keep me from drinking it..but again she hated it.
Never having tasted any other Meads, but having read almost everything on site here, I am convinced that I haven't yet experienced the true glory of MEAD...but hope to remedy that soon when my carboys are bubbling away!
Links:
Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville, NY
http://www.brotherhoodwinery.net
Specialty Wine page including Carroll's and Sheba T'eg
http://www.brotherhoodwinery.net/pages/shopbycategory.asp?viewwinecategoryid=1
Winechateau.com - Cheaper than ordering from the Brotherhood winery itself
http://www.winechateau.com
