Red, white, sweet or dry, with 102 Michigan wineries around the state, there’s bound to be one or two that grab your fancy. Have you been out to Michigan’s wine country, it’s expanding, and gorgeous!
Michigan is similar to Germany’s climate for wine making, which means we can make a mean Riesling. With advances in cold hearty varieties, more and more grapes are thriving. What started as an extension of our juice grape and fruit industry, Michigan’s wine acreage has doubled in the last decade to 2,650 acres today. With 15,000 acres of vineyards in Michigan, Michigan is the fourth largest grape growing state.
Each year the wine industry comes together to compete at the Michigan Gold Medal and Spirit Competition. This year a record 450 wines were entered. Of that group, 42 wines were awarded a gold medal, including six double medals.
You might notice several winners this year are located on Old Mission Peninsula. My wonderful girlfriends surprised me last year with a limo tasting around the peninsula as part of my bachelorette party. I HIGHLY recommend taking this wine tour. It’s beautiful and the wine is fabulous – that day I believe included at least 30 tastes!
If you want to taste the cream of the crop, add these Best of Class Winners to your wine list, you can’t go wrong!
Sparkling: Black Star Farms 2012 “BeDazzled”
Dry White: Chateau Fontaine 2012 Pinot Blanc
Dry Red: Peninsula Cellars 2011 Cabernet Franc
Semi-dry White: Boathouse Vineyards 2012 “Knot Too Sweet” Riesling
Semi-dry Red: Karma Vista Vineyards 2012 Devil’s Head Red
Dessert: Brys Estate 2011 “Dry Ice” Riesling Ice Wine
Complete list of Medal Winners
While those winning wines should be enjoyed with dinner or desert, this Sangria recipe can take any old wine and turn it into a crowd pleaser.
1 frozen orange juice concentrate
1-1.5 liters of red wine – I use a bottle of Sangria, but Cabernet Francs or any other red wine will do
Ginger Ale or Sprite
Cut up fruit, about 2 cups – I like strawberries and blueberries, any combination should do
Mix concentrate, wine, and about 12 oz of pop, add fruit and enjoy!
Behind the Mic 