Wednesday, January 4,2012

What’s in a (French) name?

To understand exactly what you're drinking, learn what's behind your wine's label

by Michael Brenton

France is the most prototypical example of strict growing and labeling regulations, which also simplifies ordering French wine once the rules are understood.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, December 7,2011

California dreamy

A Napa Valley trip leads to delectable discoveries at Burgess Cellars

by Michael Brenton

As we turned east off of Napa Valley s Silverado Trail and started the winding trek up Howell Mountain, a brisk brilliant blue-sky day welcomed us to Napa Valley s famed and historic Burgess Cellars. In an era in which so many Napa Valley wineries are small cogs in sprawling corporate wine conglomerate empires, the perpetuation of a multi-generation family owned winery is a refreshing change of pace.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, November 2,2011

A Trail worth following

There’s something tasty at every stop along Michigan’s Pioneer Wine Trail

by Michael Brenton

These wineries boast many medalwinning wines and are attracting loyal followers. Geographically, the northernmost winery on the trail is Burgdorf s Winery, east of Haslett, and the southernmost is J. Tree Vineyards, near Blissfield. In between, six other wineries span from Dexter on the east side to Albion on the west.

Read more Read it in print

Friday, October 7,2011

Viva Verterra

Michigan's newest vineyard is creating bewitching (and prize-winning) wines

by Michael Brenton

As fall colors explode in full splendor, and freshly picked grapes begin their metamorphosis into fine wine, what better time to enjoy a weekend excursion to one of Michigan’s fine wine trails? And there is no better time for an introduction to Michigan’s newest winery and tasting room, Verterra Winery.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, August 3,2011

The state of Michigan wines

Leland Festival provides a tasty picture of our area wine makers’ latest creations

by Michael Brenton

Mark Carlson of Suttons Bay’s Silver Leaf Vineyard poured his 2009 reserve Chardonnay, aged 18 months in French oak. Fans of full malolactic, barrel-aged Chardonnay will enjoy the buttery, vanillatinged flavors, broad palate and creamy mouth feel.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, July 6,2011

Cheers to beers

Thompsonville’s annual Beer and Brat Festival provides a chance to sample some of Michigan’s most notable brews

by Michael Brenton

Craft beers. Micro brews. Whatever you choose to call them, appreciation for craft-brewed beers and ales and other specialty beverages, such as hard cider and mead, is expanding in Michigan.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, June 1,2011

Not just any port in a storm

A recent tasting revealed the many types and tastes of the popular wine

by Michael Brenton

Although a variety of wine styles are produced in the Douro, when most people think of port, they think of a sweet red wine, fortified with neutral grape spirits to increase the alcohol content and stop fermentation while plenty of sugar remains in the wine.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, May 4,2011

Peninsula pleasures

Leelanau’s vinters rebound gloriously after weathering a tough season in 2009

by Michael Brenton

The annual spring media event sponsored April 16 by the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association provided ample support for the buzz about the 2010 wine vintage in northwest Michigan.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, April 6,2011

The hills are alive — with wines worth singing about

They may not be well known in the States, but these Austrian delights are delicious discoveries

by Michael Brenton

The recent wine-tasting fundraiser at the Kellogg Center, benefiting the Michigan State University Museum, provided a cornucopia of the wines of the world ' or the world of wine. But where to start when confronted with more than 200 versions of tasty juice?.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, March 16,2011

MSU Museum holds annual wine tasting benefit

by Michael Brenton

Tables featuring wines from the Toro, Rias Baixes and Priorato regions of Spain will encourage learning about these high quality but lesser known (in this country) wines.

Read more Read it in print