Leelanau Wines dominate at Michigan Wine Competition

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via lpwines.com…

IMG_1641Last week the 35th annual Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition was held in East Lansing. Judges included Master of Wine and Master Sommelier Doug Frost, three Master Sommeliers along with internationally known authors, winemakers and wine educators. Leading the group was food and wine writer Christopher Cook, who judged at the competition for 12 years before becoming its superintendent in 2001.

Once again (see last year) wines from the Leelanau Peninsula (starred*) took a majority of top honors.

Best of Class Dry White: Chateau Fontaine – 2011 Pinot Blanc (Double Gold) *

Best of Class Dry Red: Shady Lane Cellars – 2010 Blue Franc (Gold) *

Best of Class Sparkling Wine: L. Mawby – Blanc de Blancs (Gold) *

Best of Class Semi-Dry White: Fenn Valley Vineyards – 2011 Vignoles Reserve

Best of Class Dessert Wine: Lawton Ridge Winery – 2011 Late Harvest Vignoles

Best of Class Fruit Wine: Chateau de Leelanau – Cherry Wine (Gold) *

In addition, L. Mawby won a Judges’ Merit Award for Blanc de Noirs, a method champenoise brut sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. This award is given to a wine that comes close to winning Best of Class and which the judges want to honor for its quality.

Here are additional Double Gold and Gold medal award winning wines. Click here for the complete list of medal-winning wines.

Double Gold 

Blustone Vineyards: Riesling 2011

Gold

Black Star Farms: BeDazzled 2011, Leorie Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2010, Spirit of Cherry NV

Brengman Brothers: Gary’s Reserve Gewurztraminer 2010

Chateau Fontaine: Viognier 2011, White Riesling 2011, Woodland White 2011

Forty?Five North Vineyard & Winery, Cabernet Franc 2011, Pinot Gris 2011, Rose of Cabernet Franc 2011

Gill’s Pier Vineyard & Winery: Cabernet Franc / Merlot 2010

Good Harbor Vineyards: Moonstruck NV

Photo credit: Pour by KatSwinehart