Michigan Wines

Some New Wineries and a Great Vintage

David Creighton of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council will be introducing us to a wonderful selection of wines, both from established wineries and several newcomers. They will primarily be from the fine 2005 vintage.

We have enjoyed Dave’s presentation numerous times in the past. He brings a great interest and vast knowledge of wines. He is an A.W.S. member and represents Michigan wines at our annual conferences.

Aperitif

Longview Winery Rustic White 2005 – Leelanau Peninsula

Tasting

Black Star Farms Pinot Noir Rose 2005 – Leelanau Peninsula

Left Foot Charlie Riesling 2004 – Old Mission Peninsula

Brys Estate Pinot Noir 2005 – Old Mission Peninsula

Leelanau Wine Cellars Meritage 2005 – Leelanau Peninsula

Ch. Chantal Proprietors Reserve Cabernet Franc 2005 – Old Mission Peninsula

Fenn Valley Late Harvest Vignoles 2005 – Lake Michigan Shore

An appropriate selection of cheeses and bread will accompany the wines.  Please bring your own glasses. Coffee and dessert will be served.

Attendees recognize they will be consuming alcohol and assume that responsibility.

Attendance will be limited to the first 32 respondents by October 24, 2006.

Members  $19.00            Guests   $21.00

What Happened.........

This tasting was organized by Carl and Ruby Dollhopf with an assist from Chris and Sharon Arnold.

David Creighton’s visits are always a special treat, as he brings us news on the winemakers of Michigan and a selection of their very best wines, as judged in the Michigan Wine and Spirits competition. This year was no exception.

He told us of the increasing number of wineries, now about 50, and the creativity and success of the winemakers, which has resulted in greater production and a high demand for Michigan grapes.  He brought wines that demonstrated the significant progress of our very dynamic Michigan regions.

The aperitif wine, Longview Rustic White, a Bronze Medal Winner, is from a very new winery, but one that has garnered many medals (including national competition). They also captured the Judges Special Award for their 2005 Cabernet Franc at the Michigan Competition.

The Black Star Farms Pinot Noir Rose is a Sancerre style wine, dry and flavorful.  Black Star received many medals at the competition, including a Double Gold for their Sirius Pear dessert wine.  Lee Lutes is the winemaker.

The Left Foot Charlie Riesling, made by Brian Ulbrich, (also of Peninsula Cellars), on his own label, is a very nice semi dry wine. It received a Silver Medal.

The Brys Estate Pinot Noir won Best in Class of Red Wines. Made by Cornel Olivier, it has great color and flavor and a very long finish, but is no longer available. Brys Estate is another very new winery.

The Leelanau Cellars Meritage, made by Shawn Walters, was a Gold Medal winner. Made of 40% Cabernet, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Merlot, it has been very well received, and by our tasting crowd, as well.  Some has traveled to California.

The Chateau Chantal Proprietors Reserve Cabernet Franc, a Silver Medal winner, seemed as good, a very nice wine.

The Fenn Valley Late Harvest Vignoles, a Silver Medal winner, is a fine example of how this hybrid grape is being used to make a wine with sweetness and good acidity. Vignoles is also used by L. Mawby in an excellent sparkling wine.

David kindly answered many questions from his attentive audience who were very impressed with his evidence of a rapidly advancing Michigan wine industry.

Bread and cheeses were served with the wines, and we closed with coffee and pastries.