By Jerry Kolins, MD, DipWSET, Certified Sommelier, LS&A Class of 1968
The Michigan Wolverine Basketball Team achieved an incredible accomplishment winning the 2026 NCCA basketball championship. This year, the team had many key players brought together for the first time by Head Coach Dusty May. As we like to say, “Shock the world, boys.” Of course, the accomplishment needs to be celebrated. Choosing the appropriate wine needs to reflect the spirit of the team.
Roddy Gayle, Jr. commented that many of the key players have practiced together for only 6-7 months. He also points out that the chance of winning a National Championship is very slim. Yet, we all know Bo’s lesson. It’s always about “The Team, the Team, the Team.” Nimari Burnett says the structure was built “brick by brick.” While Lindeborg had a frightening injury in the Final Four match against Arizona, he was back in the Championship Game crediting his teammates for keeping his head in the game. This is a selfless group—a true team. I will miss the mesmerizing look from Morez Johnson, Jr. as he stands firmly to our left behind the teammate interviewed on television.
Elliott Cadeau is a gift to Michigan fans. The French translation of Cadeau is “gift.” I marvel at these six foot + players who take major league knock-out punches and somehow not only stand-up to the foul but actually score the basket. Then there is Aday Mara at 7 foot 3 inches who catches and passes the ball like a quarterback. He is from Zaragoza, Spain. And it is from here that we find the appropriate wine to celebrate a Michigan Basketball National Championship.
Zaragoza has been referred to as the “Empire of Garnacha.” The grape varietal called Grenache in France is called Garnacha in Spain. It is the main grape in Cariñena and Calatayud. So, the celebratory wine should be a Cariñena from Bodegas Anadas Care Garnacha Nativa, Cariñena, Spain. Choose any vintage you can get; they all should be around $15. Try Plum Market in Bloomfield or Woods Wholesale Wine in Grosse Pointe.
All wines I recommend are from wineries in which I have no financial interest. When I buy a wine that I recommend, I purchase it at retail price from producers who have no knowledge of my intent to evaluate their work.
If you cannot locate a wine from Cariñena, choose a Champagne, a wine traditionally made with a Basket Press. This is a device that gently presses the grapes and brings together a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. A Veuve Clicquot Champagne will cost you about $60. It is readily available in Ann Arbor but you may need NIL support.
“I want to go back to Michigan, To dear Ann Arbor town, Back to Joe’s and the Orient, And back to some of the money I spent, I want to go back to Michigan, To dear Ann Arbor town, I want to go back; I got to go back, To Michigan.” by Edward Vielmetti
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