by Joel Goldberg
Last updated: 8/9/07 7:30 AM

Variety was Michigan's biggest winner this year.

Six different wineries from three wine regions took home "Best of Class" awards at the 2007 Michigan Wine & Spirits Competiton, held August 7 at MSU's Kellogg Center in East Lansing.

Best of Class winners at the Michigan Wine Competition

• Best Sparkling Wine: Tabor Hill Grand Mark Brut
• Best Dry White: 2006 Left Foot Charley Pinot Blanc, "Island View Vineyard"
• Best Semi-Dry White: 2006 Gills Pier Riesling
• Best Dry Red: 2005 Longview Cabernet Franc Vintner Reserve
  
• Best Semi-Dry/ Sweet Red: Leelanau Cellars Great Lakes Red
  
• Best Dessert: 2005 Chateau Grand Traverse Riesling Ice Wine

Judges awarded 10 Double Gold and 29 Gold medals from 365 entries, a competition record. Double Gold medals require a unanimous Gold vote by the four judges who evaluate each wine.

GO TO the complete list of medal winners (printable or downloadable)
GO TO Joel Goldberg's Wine Competition blog entries

This marked the first top award for Left Foot Charley, whose owner / winemaker Bryan Ulbrich previously earned numerous accolades making wine for Peninsula Cellars. Left Foot Charley's winery and tasting room opened in Traverse City just last month.

"We're obviously very honored to be recognized," Ulbrich told MichWine. "Werner [Island View Vineyard owner Werner Kuehnis] has been working for this recognition for a long time. He's a model for vineyard care."

Winemakers Shawn Walters and Bryan Ulbrich: Two Best of Class wines apiece

Ulbrich also made the Best Semi-Dry Riesling for Gills Pier. "That's the first wine from their young estate vineyard and a neighboring vineyard, so we're very pleased," he said of the wine.

Winemaker Shawn Walters matched Ulbrich's two Best of Class awards. Walters crafted the Great Lakes Red for Leelanau Cellars, which he recently left for the new Forty-Five North Winery, as well as Longview's 2005 Vintner Reserve Cabernet Franc.

Alan Eaker, owner of Longview, was jubilant about his tiny winery's three Gold and Double Gold medals and, especially, the showing of his Reserve Cabernet Franc (65 cases made). The non-reserve version of the same wine earned a Gold medal and won the Judge's Special Award at last year's competition.

"We've got a reputation to uphold now," said Eaker, reached on his cell phone while tying vines and pulling leaves in Longview's vineyard.  "The first thing I did when I found out was to talk with Shawn about our wines. It's revitalized my commitment for the future."

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment