Wild Monkey Marsala Review

People often compare the flavor profiles of wine and tea. A new line of products from International Tea Importers (ITI) takes this comparison a step further with “wine inspired” teas. These teas are intended for wine drinkers who are interested in tea, tea drinkers who are interested in wine and people who love both.

I recently picked up the wine-inspired Wild Monkey Marsala (made with Marsala wine) at Chado Tea Room (ITI’s sister company).

The dry leaves of Wild Monkey Marsala kick off the full experience of it. They are wiry and blue-black, with flecks of caramel-colored tea buds. The aroma of the leaves is like a very strong Marsala wine, with a slight spiciness (like a mulled wine) and honey sweetness (like a Sauternes wine).

The brewed tea has a deep red/burnt-orange color, like a garnet stone.

The aroma of the brew is incredibly enticing, like warm, honeyed mead. It’s bold and sweet, with malty depth and notes of cocoa powder and black pepper.

The flavor is not as complex and full as the aroma, but is also very pleasing. The flavor of a well-oxidized black tea is strongest. The Marsala wine flavor is in the background. Other flavors include mouth-filling tannins, malt and allspice.

The finish of this tea includes strong notes of vanilla, raspberry, honey and tannins. It also has a hint of what can only be described as an “old books smell” that is far more pleasant than it sounds.

This is an easy-to-enjoy tea for tea novices, tea aficionados and wine lovers alike. It’s a “self-drinker” (which means it doesn’t need milk or sugar), but it could also be good with a drop of milk. If you’re drinking it with food, I’d suggest a tropical fruit salad with pineapple and pomegranate seeds.

If this tea sounds like your ideal cuppa, check out ITI’s other wine-inspired teas in a local tearoom or through Chado in Los Angeles. Flavors include Assam Cabernet, Sicilian Vespers, White Champagne Raspberry and Shaman’s Secret.