EAST LANSING, MI – Twenty-five wine experts from around the country gathered July 26 in East Lansing for the 39th annual Michigan Wine Competition.
Fifty one of the state’s 123 wineries entered 352 wines for this year’s competition, which is open only to wine produced from Michigan grapes and other fruit. The number of entries was lower than recent years, primarily because of reduced production due to the last two harsh winters and multiple freezes at inopportune times.
Despite the reduced entries, the quality of wine seems to improve each year. “Once again the quality of Michigan wines continues to amaze,” said Gordon Wenk, Chair of the MI Grape & Wine Industry Council and Chief Deputy Director for Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development “It is a testament to our grape growers and wine makers to receive high praise from a distinguished corps of judges from across the country.”
Gold medals were awarded to a wide variety of wines – from bone-dry reds to sweet and luscious dessert wines. At the end of the day, judges awarded the top “Best of Class” awards to eight wines from a group of 71 gold medal winners, including 14 double gold!
The Best of Class award-winners are:
Sparkling: L. Mawby Grace
Dry White: Chateau Fontaine 2015 Woodland White
Dry Red: Chateau Grand Traverse 2012 Merlot Reserve
Semi-dry White: Fenn Valley Vineyards 2015 Traminette Semi-Dry
Semi-dry Red: St Julian Winery Red Heron
Dessert: Black Star Farms Sirius Raspberry
Fruit: St Julian Winery Sweet Nancie Peach Sparkling
Rosé: Verterra Winery 2015 Rosé of Cabernet Franc
Christopher Cook served as Superintendent for this year’s competition. He judged at the competition for 12 years before becoming its superintendent in 2001. Cook’s vast experience in the wine industry guides the process of vetting judges for the Michigan competition. This year, judges included Master Sommeliers Madeline Triffon, Claudia Tyagi and notable wine writers, winemakers and wine educators.
“This Michigan wine competition is as well run as any wine judging in the country – the judges include both in-state and out-of-state professionals from all walks of the wine industry – retail, restaurant, winery management, journalism , distribution and education,” Madeline Triffon noted.
She added, “Regarding this year’s event, of special note is the broad and deep range of reds that garnered gold medals. Bordeaux varietals especially are not easily grown in our micro-climates and the quality was eyebrow-raising.”
Among the judges was Rick Lopus, Vice President of Great Lakes Wine & Spirits. “I’m not sure what impressed me most: the very high caliber of the wines entered; the bona fides of fellow judges, assembled from all over the country; or the flawless organization/execution of the judging itself. Altogether, it was a fantastic, world-class event (with some world-class wines!).”
The competition is co-sponsored by the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, which will host a Gold Medal Wine Reception featuring the best wines from the competition on Thursday, August 4. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door, and can be purchased online at www.michiganwines.com/reception. Visit the website for a complete list of the medal-winning wines.
The competition is also sponsored by the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, which is administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. For more information about the wines and wineries of Michigan, contact the council online, or by phone at 517-284-5790.
