2010 Vintage

45th North and 2 Lads both report that 2010's wines will be some of their best ever.

Michigan's Food-Friendly Wines

We know northern Michigan wines are good, but wow, some incredible praise at PalatePress: Something is Going on in Michigan

Even better is to read the writer's blog entries in getting ready to write this article. They are collected at Grape Sense - Glass Half Full

First Taste of Michigan Wine Impressive
Two Lads, a Schoolhouse, and One Sharp Young Man
The Beauty of the Traverse Bay Area

Some of my favorite quotes from the blog are:
-I tasted two memorable wines there [Left Foot Charley], a very dry Pinot Blanc that has been honored time and again in numerous competitions. And a reserve Riesling that was simply the best American-made Riesling I’ve ever tasted

-Coe [Black Star Farms] has one of the most impressive destination wineries you’ll ever come across in the U.S.

-This Rose’ [from 2Lads] rivaled, if not surpassed, many I’ve enjoyed from France and Spain made from Grenache

-...they [Chateau Grand Traverse] grow Gamay – the Beaujolais grape. You can’t call it Gamay in this country so they call it Gamay Noir. They have a regular bottle ($12) and a reserve ($19). I liked the reserve a lot. It was not as earthy as the French versions but very nicely made wine with true Gamay flavor with good acidity and tannins on the finish. (Gamay Noir is my personal favorite "go-to" wine)

I guess it can all be summed with "The secret of Michigan wine, and particularly Northern Michigan, isn’t going to last long once people get a taste"

Gold For Black Star Farms' 2008 Dry Riesling

See: Gold at Riverside International Competition

Black Star Farms Wins Gold And Silver

More awards for northern Michigan wines!

At the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition Black Star Farms won gold with their 2007 Arcturos Pinot Gris and the 2008 Arcturos Dry Riesling was awarded a silver medal.

See: New Awards from International Competition

Forty-Five North Winery Awards

Steve Grossnickle at Forty-Five North has an update on awards his winery has won this year. See: Forty-Five Carat!

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

* Gold - Hard Cider
* Bronze - 2007 Pinot Gris
* Bronze - 2007 Reserve Chardonnay

Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

* Gold - 2008 Nouveau Pinot Noir Rosé
* Gold - 2008 Select-Harvest Riesling
* Silver - 2007 Cabernet Franc
* Silver - 2008 Pinot Gris
* Silver - 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling
* Bronze - 2008 Unwooded Chardonnay

Pacific Rim International Wine Competition

* Best of Class - 2008 Pinot Noir Rosé
* Gold - 2007 Reserve Chardonnay
* Gold - Peach Crémant
* Silver - 2008 Pinot Gris
* Silver - 2008 Select-Harvest Riesling
* Silver - 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling
* Silver - 2008 Unwooded Chardonnay

He's also enthusiastic about the quality of this year's white wines.

New York City Following Traverse City's Lead

Via NYT: On Tap? How About Chardonnay or Pinot Noir

Local Wine At The White House

Black Star Farms ice wine served at White House Governors Dinner!

Little Green Jugs At Left Foot Charley's

Lots of good news from Traverse City's urban vintner. See the RE story: Winery now using taps, growlers

The winery, at the Grand Traverse Commons, will also use beeswax to seal its bottles.

The winery plans to sell one-liter, refillable "Little Green Jug" growlers. Customers can also bring in their own bottles...

...On tap, Left Food Charley will start with Pinot Grigio and Riesling and a hard cider.

Official site: Left Foot Charley

Via UpNorthFoodies

L. Mawby Vineyards Grows

See DetNews: Larry Mawby partners with industrialist to expand winery"

We said, 'Where do we want to live?' Up north. 'What do we want to do?' Work outside." And the prospect of starting a winery, where their sons also could work if they wished, was enticing.

Visit their web site: L. Mawby Vineyards

Ice Wine

Black Star Farms has their A Capella Ice Wine for sale. Price is reduced to $75 until 12/25.

TASTES of Black Star Farms

Holiday Open House at TASTES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 FROM 5-9 PM
Join us at TASTES of Black Star Farms for the Village at Grand Traverse Commons Holiday Open House. Enjoy complimentary wine tasting and get creative with a paint your own wine stopper - a perfect stocking stuffer!

No More Wine At Two Lads Winery

Via MichWine: Two Lads Shutters Tasting Room

When the winery reopens, Two Lads will offer its first Riesling, along with a Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc Reserve, and Merlot from the highly-regarded 2007 vintage

Leelanau Wineries In The USAToday

Riesling rising, and more, in Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan