LPVA Wineries Earn Honors at 31st Annual Michigan Wine Competition

The results are in and several LPVA wineries earned high praise at the 31st Annual Michigan Wine Competition. Surprisingly this year it was Michigan reds that grabbed the spotlight over the usual suspect of Rieslings, Gewurztraminers and Pinot Blancs. Another twist to previous years was that no award was given to Best of Class Sparkling due to lack of a 'wow' factor amongst the entries. Another significant change was that the amount of Double Gold medals awarded was reduced from previous years.

According to Joel Goldberg, editor at michwine.com and a judge at the competition, this is a positive move for the validation of Michigan wine as a world class product.

I'm a true believer when it comes to medals. Michigan gives out way too many, especially at the lower rungs of the ladder. This diminishes both the recognition due the wines that deserve them, and their value as a marketing tool.

Detroit News wine correspondent, Sandra Silfven's article "Michigan wine competition is full of surprises", reports on the new hybrid varieties of grapes being grown by vintners:

Judges said they were a testimony to the better growing and winemaking practices that vintners are applying to all wine grapes, not just the Riesling and Merlot gang.

"It's nice to know there's room at the table for something a little different," remarked Alan Eaker, who owns Longview in Cedar, Mich., and was even astonished at the Frontenac's showing. If you can tame the acidity, he said, you can make a delicious wine in a dry Merlot/Bordeaux style.

Lake Leelanau's Chateau Fontaine took home the most Golds of any winery at 5 with 2 of the wines being produced by Leelanau winemaker Shawn Walters. Shawn took home a total 8 Golds this year including one for his work with Scott Harvey of Napa Valley. Scott had been so impressed with Michigan Riesling that he commissioned Shawn to make a Riesling for his label using Leelanau grapes.

Now for the LPVA Medal Winners:

Sweepstakes winners
Best Dry White: 2007 Chateau Fontaine White Riesling
Best Dry Red: 2007 Longview Rustic Red

Double Gold
Bel Lago Leelanau Peninsula Brillante
Black Star Farms 2006 Arcturos Merlot
Chateau Fontaine 2006 Pinot Gris

Gold
Bel Lago 2007 Pinot Grigio & Chardonnay
Black Star Farms 2006 Leorie Vineyard Merlot/Cabernet Franc
Black Star Farms 2007 Arcturos Sur Lie Chardonnay
Chateau Fontaine 2006 Semi-Sweet White Riesling
Chateau Fontaine 2006 Chardonnay
Chateau Fontaine 2007 Woodland White
Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery 2007 Reserve Chardonnay
Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery 2007 45 White
Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery Cheerio Cherry
L. Mawby Consort
Longview 2007 Rustic White
Longview 2007 Chardonnay
Shady Lane Cellars 2007 Coop De Blanc
Shady Lane Cellars 2007 Semi-Dry Riesling

Complete list of Winners
Michigan Wine Competition Results! – MichiganWines.com

Photo Credit: "arcturos by metrolens" from the Leelanau Wine pool at flickr.com