It turned out very well. In fact, it took best of show at the Nebraska State Fair a few years ago. Like all port-style wines, it's sweet but the alcohol kick offsets the sweetness.
I stopped degassing my wine a few years ago, opting for lengthy bulk aging. I now bulk age for a minimum of a year and never have any residual gas problems.
I had the privilege of helping organize and judge this year at the Mazer Cup International Mead competition in Boulder. The event began Thursday and went through Saturday night. In addition to judging 170 commercial and 250 home entries, there was a paired tasting on Friday night that featured...