Michigan By The Bottle

Podcast #51: Chateau Chantal 2010 Proprietor's Reserve Trio

"WOW — I LOVE this wine," was what Shannon said off camera about this Chateau Chantal 2010 Proprietor's Reserve Trio, a Merlot/Cab Franc/Pinot Noir blend. His never-ending raves on camera forced what was likely a record number of edits as we valiantly tried to whittle down the time. As a bonus, he inexplicably dons a Detroit Tigers jersey in the middle of winter.

Podcast #50: 2 Lads 2009 Reserve Sparkling Wine + CONTEST!

Cort tries to lay claim to all 200 cases in existence as we chug ... er ... taste through 2 Lads' newly released 2009 Reserve Sparkling Wine, a Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio blend that's spent two years resting on the lees. In celebration of our 50th podcast (and Michigan's 175th birthday, to boot!), watch for a contest alert within today's video for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula's Feb. 18 Romancing the Riesling event! (Click through for more details on the event and how you can purchase tickets to Romancing the Riesling yourself...)

Podcast #49: Cascade Winery 2010 Traminette

Grapefruit, gouda and giggles, oh my! We have some fun tasting through a 2010 Traminette from Cascade Winery in Grand Rapids (but what you don't see is the usually red-leaning Shannon polishing off the bottle afterward).

Podcast #48: Domaine Berrien Cellars 2008 Lemberger

"We'll come find you and drink your Lemberger!" Yes, indeed. Today, we taste through Domaine Berrien Cellars' Lemberger, one of our favorite go-to dry reds.

Podcast #47: bigLITTLE Wines Tire Swing

In today's podcast, we taste through bigLITTLE Wines' Tire Swing, a lip-smacking-good sparkler made mostly from Riesling. When she's not diving into the glass to rave about the "Sweet Tart" nose, Cort dedicates her time extolling the virtues of bubbly and describing the river that runs through her own personal paradise. Shannon, meanwhile, just acts completely normal.

Podcast #46: Brengman Brothers 2010 Reserve Riesling

In today's podcast, Cort is responsible for setting up the camera, which explains why the picture is hopelessly askew. Also, actual hugging of a bottle takes place as we taste through the 2010 Reserve Riesling from Brengman Brothers at Crain Hill Vineyards. (Be sure to check out our Q-and-A with Robert Brengman in our "New to the Scene" series.)

Podcast #45: bigLITTLE Wines Crayfish

 

In today's podcast, Cort, like a true half-Italian, talks way too much with her hands and forces copious post-shoot edits to achieve the three-minute limit as she hems and haws over which of her never-ending notes to use. Don't worry, that dilly-dallying was left on the cutting room floor. What remains is our (good) impression of Crayfish, a 100 percent Pinot Gris from bigLITTLE Wines. See our Q-and-A from yesterday for more info on this brand-new operation led by Pete and Mike Laing, brothers from the Leelanau Peninsula.

Podcast #44: St. Julian 2009 Braganini Reserve Merlot

In today's podcast, we circle back to St. Julian Winery to hit up their Braganini Reserve line once more. This time, we try their 2009 Merlot, and Shannon shows off his kitchen prowess by comparing the nose to something he stuffed inside his Thanksgiving turkey, prompting Cort to raid the cupboard afterward to verify his claim.

Podcast #43: Chateau Grand Traverse 2008 Gamay Noir

In today's podcast, we delve into the world of Chateau Grand Traverse Gamay Noir — and boldly declare it an off-the-beaten-path option for Thanksgiving in lieu of Pinot Noir (and then realize after filming that CGT's 2010 vintage of the wine is already sold out, so hope you have one of these stashed in your cellar). Oh, and Cort makes up for being last week's lethargy by being overly (read: creepily) perky. Don't worry, we edited out the most obnoxious parts...like a very shrill "Happy Thanksgiving!" at the end. (But really. Happy Thanksgiving.)

* Winemaker Sean O'Keefe was kind enough to point out that Gamay Noir is not the same grape as Gamay, thus, not the same grape used in Beaujolais. Our mistake, but thanks to Sean for clarifying.

Podcast #42: Chateau Chantal 2010 Proprietor's Reserve Pinot Gris

In today's podcast, Shannon and a zombie (oh, wait, never mind — that's just a sleep-deprived Cort, trying and failing to function like a normal human being) sample Pinot Gris from Chateau Chantal's Proprietor's Reserve line, a.k.a. the creme de la creme. Also, Shannon has fun with adjectives. This wine is "refined." Or perhaps "refined." One might even say ... "refined." (We could make a drinking game out of the number of times Shannon says "refined." Hey, an MBTB podcast drinking game — now THERE'S an idea! Who's in?)