WIOG Weekly Roundup: Aug. 19, 2012

This edition of WIOG Weekly Roundup features a few Michigan wines we drank this week, plus tasting notes taken during a run through Left Foot Charley's entire lineup in late June/early July. As we often stress, we're not wine experts, but we do taste a lot of Michigan wine. (You may have noticed.) WIOG is our attempt to give you an idea of some selections that you may be interested in checking out based on what we've been tasting. Cheers!

Black Star Farms 2010 Merlot: "Superb nose of ripe cherries, very fruit forward, tart cherry candy exploding in your mouth, full mouth feel, soft edges, long finish. One of my favorite Michigan Merlots." — Shannon
Verterra 2011 Pinot Blanc: "Fresh peaches and spring flowers on the nose, tart grapefruit, very refreshing. Pinot Blanc is probably my favorite white wine and this is a great representation of what can be done in Michigan with this grape." — Shannon
Chateau Grand Traverse 2008 Reserve Gamay Noir: "Light garnet color. Bright strawberries and cherries on the nose. Very fruit forward, abundant red fruits, downright delicious, super long finish. This is a great every day red that is very enjoyable." — Shannon
Bowers Harbor Vineyards 2009 Riesling: "Honey and citrus on the nose, total pineapple on the palate." — Shannon
Left Foot Charley 2010 Pinot Gris: "Whetstone and pears on the nose. Super dry with lots of minerality. Great tasting wine, matches it's super cool label." — Shannon
Left Foot Charley 2011 Pinot Blanc: "Ripe pear on the nose that I could sniff all day long! Very fruity, grapefruit and pear, a little acid kicker on the end." — Shannon
Left Foot Charley 2011 Murmur: "Clean river rock/flowing springs on the nose. Grapefruit and lots of minerality, not as sweet as past vintages." — Shannon
Left Foot Charley 2011 Rosé: "Spicy strawberry, peppery, cherry, light and refreshing. Perfect wine to enjoy on a Summer day." — Shannon
Left Foot Charley 2011 Gewürztraminer: "Spring bouquet of flowers and peaches. Spicy, dry, more limestone than fruit, grapefruit pulp." — Shannon
Left Foot Charley 2011 Longcore Vineyards Riesling: "Bright pineapple, full of honey, well—balanced with acid." — Shannon

"The Longcore Riesling, plus LFC's Seventh Hill and Missing Spire Rieslings, are among my very favorites in the state. Though I failed to take detailed notes at the time, I just remember not being able to choose between the three as to which I liked best; whatever one I was drinking at the time was it. All three are off-the-charts delicious and ideal for my fellow Riesling devotees." — Cort
Left Foot Charley 2011 Seventh Hill Vineyards Riesling: "Ripe, sweet, candied apples doused in honey." — Shannon