Michigan By The Bottle

WIOG: May 5, 2013

This edition of WIOG features some of the wines we tried at the Michigan Wine Showcase at The Rattlesnake Club on April 15. 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!

Michigan Pinot is Black Star Farms Forte

Now Black Star Farms Winery in Leelanau County has made Pinot Noir, the wine drinker’s wine,  its signature grape. Given the high expectations of Pinot Noir drinkers- like the main character in the 2004 movie Sideways – it’s noteworthy that a winery in an emerging wine region would dedicate itself to a grape that Jancis Robinson calls “capricious and extremely variable.”

Lee Lutes at  Black Star is aware of the risks and rewards of committing to Pinot Noir. “Pinot Noir is also known as the heartbreak grape – the bastard grape, or any number of other negative associations. This is one variety, however, that greatly reflects it’s growing season and viticulture, so you need to work closely with it in order to really capture the best qualities of the variety.”

via midwestwinepress.com

Love Pinot Noir!

Video Travel Diary: 2013 LPVA Media Weekend

Cort, her cousin/"assistant" Melissa and Paper Shannon embarked on a Northern Michigan adventure April 20 for the LPVA Media Weekend. From offroading in a bus to tales of cougars and porcupines, it was an action-packed event. What's your favorite Leelanau Peninsula winery? Come tell us about it!

Charity Uncorked: Michigan Wineries Give Back to the Community

'Tis the season for giving, and it's no exception among Michigan wineries, many of which are participating in charitable events or holding promotions benefiting worthy causes this holiday season.

Podcast #78: Black Star Farms 2011 Be Dazzled

Cort tries to set a record for how many times one can say "fruity and fun" as she flings her hands around in grand Italian fashion while tasting through Black Star Farms' 2011 Be Dazzled. Hey, it's bubbly, what do you expect? Also, we talk about the special label, created by children from Ethiopia to support Michigan artist Stephanie Schlatter's Art Aid for Tesfa organization.

Mario Batali touts the region to national journalists » Traverse City Record-Eagle

Celebrity chef Batali teamed up with Pure Michigan to host food and travel journalists from around the country on a "familiarization tour" of his favorite vacation region. The June 27-July 1 tour included visits to area farms, restaurants and wineries like The Cooks' House, Grand Traverse Pie Co. and Black Star Farms.

It also took the journalists to scenic landmarks including the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Glen Arbor and Leland's Fishtown.

But the highlight was Batali's cooking demonstration at Chateau Chantal showcasing locally sourced ingredients. The "Made in Michigan" epicurean event gave journalists the chance to get up close and personal with the über chef and part-time northern Michigan resident and to sample two of his new summer recipes.

via record-eagle.com

Northern Michigan Wine: Tasting Old Mission and Leelanau Chardonnays

Northern Michigan Wine: Traverse Magazine food and wine editor Tim Tebeau puts Northern Michigan chardonnay in the spotlight with a little behind-the-scenes intell (and tastings!) from Northern Michigan wineries along Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau County.

via www.mynorth.com

Good piece.

SUPER HUGE Michigan Wine Month Giveaway: April 15

Congratulations to DAVID MOSS and THERESA VAUGHN! They were randomly drawn from yesterday's entrants; each will win a $25 gift card from Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery to use toward purchases from the winery, plus two free reserve tasting passes redeemable in the tasting room (which includes five premium wine samples and a dark chocolate). David and Theresa, please email us at cort@michiganbythebottle.com within 48 hours to claim your prize. (For prizes not claimed within 48 hours, we will redraw from the original pool of entrants to determine a new recipient, so be sure to check back daily to see if you're a winner!)

This contest is closed as of 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 15.

Today's sponsor: Black Star Farms

Today's prize: TWO winners will each receive a certificate redeemable for two tastings at any of Black Star Farms' locations (Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula, the Village at Grand Traverse Commons). (TWO winners drawn today!)

Please click through for restrictions and instructions on how to enter...

Northern Michigan wineries do well at Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

Two Northwest Michigan wineries brought home the first of the year's crop--not of grapes, but awards.
 
At the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Black Star Farms and Chateau Fontaine both received several awards for their 2010 and 2011 wines.
 
Out of entries from 22 countries and all 50 U.S. states, Black Star Farms and Chateau Fontaine each can brag of a best in class. Black Star's 2008 A Capella Ice Wine was given best in class for ice wines, and awarded the Crystal Grape Award. Chateau Fontaine was awarded best Riesling for its Dry White Riesling 100% from 2011.

via nwmichigan.secondwavemedia.com

Great news!

Great Competition, Great Wines, Great Cause - Penn Yan Chronicle-Express

I also want to congratulate our friendly competitors from other states, especially Michigan, who won the four top awards of this competition. The John Rose Award for Best Riesling went to Chateau Fontaine 2011 Dry White Riesling and the Best Ice Wine award to Black Star Farms 2008 A Capella Ice Wine (also Riesling, and also from Michigan).  Best Chardonnay was awarded to Merryvale Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay from Sonoma, and Best Cabernet Sauvignon to Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

via www.chronicle-express.com

Michigan shines at Finger Lakes Competition