The following meads can be hard to find in retail stores, but many are available online directly from their producers. They represent the range of flavours of honey wine and capture the geographic assortment of production styles and techniques from around the world.
Enlightenment Wines Saint Crimson, New YorkThis ruby-tinged mead is made from black currants and wildflower honey. The currants add tartness and tannins which is balanced by the sweetness of the honey. Lyon suggests serving it iced, as an aperitif, or mixing it as the base of a summer negroni. ($25 per 375-ml bottle)
Mjödhamnen Suttungabrygden, SwedenMjödhamnen is the project of a nomadic Swedish mazer who travels through the Nordic countryside making mead at different apiaries (bee farms). Suttungabrygden is a rose mead made with heather honey and lignonberries. ($24 per 750-ml bottle)
Nektar Tuco-Style Freakout, MichiganMichigan’s B. Nektar draws inspiration from an infamous Breaking Bad character for this lime zest-infused mead with a base of orange blossom honey. Agern’s Walsh recommends pairing it with a simple dish of oysters. As for justifying the crack pipe on the label, he laughs: “[Mead] is a strange scene filled with strange people.” ($10 per 500-ml bottle)
Makana Iqhilika African Herbal Blossom, South AfricaThis South African meadery is known for infusing mead with such ingredients as chile peppers, figs, and coffee, to varying degrees of success. One of the better experiments is this one infused with tea made from hibiscus, rose hips, licorice, cinnamon, and dried apples. ($23 per 750-ml bottle)
Melovino Berry Boku, New JerseyThis New Jersey-made mead uses a blend of mixed berries including raspberries, currants, blueberries, and strawberries for a blend of sweet and tart flavors. ($22 per 500-ml bottle)
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