Michigan By The Bottle

Michigan Meritage Merits Mention |

Still, the bulk of Michigan wineries  dabbling in the dynamics of the Bordeaux blend have chosen to go the thrifty route and coin their own  handle—and thus continue to handle their own coin.  Domaine Berrien uses ‘Crown of Cab’, since they consider it the ‘crown jewel ‘of their portfolio.  Pentemere’s goes by ‘Le Griffon’ for reasons known only to the untamed savages of Boondockia; i.e., Tecumseh.  Wyncroft Cellars calls theirs’ ‘Shou’—Chinese for ‘longevity’ which the wine indeed displays.  Accurately, if somewhat less imaginatively, Raftshol’s label reads simply ‘Red’.

via intoxreport.com

A tongue twister, indeed, but a good article.

Fennville's Salt of the Earth launches 2nd annual Michigan wine and beer dinner series this month featuring Bell's, Short's and more | MLive.com

Salt of the Earth will kick-off its second-annual Michigan wine and beer dinner series with Buchanan’s Wyncroft Winery at 7 p.m. on Jan. 19.

Wyncroft’s 2004 Riesling (dry), 2004 Chardonnay, 2005 Pinot Noir, 2006 “Shou” (Bordeaux blend), and 2008 Riesling December Harvest will be pitted against five French wines.

Salt of the Earth Executive Chef Matthew Pietsch and Grand Rapids’ Reserve Executive Chef Matthew Millar will collaborate on a menu of French inspired dishes for the dinner.

via www.mlive.com

Sounds great!

I Love 616: WYNCROFT WINE DINNER!

We just completed our first of many wine dinners partnering with non-other than the industry leader in Michigan Wines, Wyncroft Winery! Now, "industry leader" sounds like a large, over produced, slightly pretentious winery that cares more about making money than producing great wines, quite opposite is the case. Wyncoft Wines sets the bar that all others should strive for.

via ilove616.blogspot.com

Some strong words of praise for Jim Lester and Wyncroft Wines.

Winery takes product from vine to online | West Michigan Business - - MLive.com

A focus on creating premium, high-quality wines has helped Wyncroft winery in Buchanan differentiate itself since its founding in 1998.

Wyncroft’s wines are somewhat exclusive, says owner Jim Lester. They are ultra-premium and pricey, and the business is small and select. Production is limited to fewer than 950 cases of wine per year (usually 600 to 700 cases on average), and the customer base is primarily fine restaurants and those fortunate enough to be on Wyncroft’s private-mailing list.

via www.mlive.com

I haven't had the opportunity to try any of Jim's wines yet, but I have heard great things.

The Ann Arbor Chronicle » Column: Arbor Vinous

Eat your heart out, John U. Bacon. While the football Wolverines plummet weakly toward the depths of the Big Ten, a very different Michigan eleven just beat up big time on its arch-rivals from Ohio.

This squad doesn’t strut its talents in the Big House or cavernous Crisler. Its slightly smaller – but decidedly more refined – field of combat lies a couple of miles north on Main Street, around a crystal-bedecked tasting table at Vinology Wine Bar.

Earlier this week, the second annual Ohio vs. Michigan Wine Clash turned into a rout, as eleven of Michigan’s finest wines drubbed a like number of Buckeyes during back-to-back judgings in both Ann Arbor and Columbus. 

It wasn’t really a fair fight with the amazing red wines from Michigan’s 2007 vintage, the finest in the state’s history. The lopsided results: the best wine overall, and four of the top five, were proudly Wolverine – though Ohio provided the lone bargain among the bunch.

via annarborchronicle.com

Great article by Joel Goldberg in the Ann Arbor Chronicle. I find it a little odd that Jim Lester was asked to judge when his wine was included, but nonetheless it is good to see Michigan wines presenting well against their Ohio counterparts. Make sure you read Joel's entire article, as it really makes you feel like you were there.