Wednesday, July 7,2010

Zinfandel-icious selections

Savor the many flavors of this summertime wine

by Michael Brenton

In 1975, Sutter Home’s White Zinfandel experienced a "stuck fermentation," a problem that occurs when the yeast dies out before consuming all of the sugar. This problem juice was set aside. Some weeks later, the winemaker tasted it and preferred this accidental result, which was a sweet pink wine.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, June 2,2010

Cool fun in the summertime

Raise a glass to wine festivals all over the state

by Michael Brenton

On the same day, at the Leland Wine and Food Festival, you could enjoy visiting the Leland Harbor and historic Fishtown, while sampling some of the finest new release wines from both Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula wineries and tasting specialties from the area’s finest restaurants and food purveyors.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, May 5,2010

From Leelanau with love

Bel Lago Vineyard and Black Star Farms unveil an assortment of delicious releases

by Michael Brenton

At the Bel Lago Vineyard (www.bellago.com), wine is made from grapes grown in family-owned vineyards overlooking Lake Leelanau. Black Star Farms (www.blackstarfarms.com) is an “agricultural destination” that features two winery production facilities with adjacent tasting rooms, a distillery, an inn and an equestrian facility.

Read more Read it in print

Tuesday, April 13,2010

Delectable discoveries

There was plenty to pour — and adore — at annual MSU Museum Wine Tasting event

by Michael Brenton

The annual MSU Museum Wine Tasting Fundraiser at the Kellogg Center on March 26 again provided a vinous cornucopia of current release wines which were eagerly evaluated by hundreds of attendees. More than 25 wineries were represented and well over 150 wines were presented, several by their winemakers.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, March 3,2010

Big reds

Burgess Cellars unveils tantalizing tastes

by Michael Brenton

Kellogg Center’s State Room provided the perfect setting for a tasting of current vintage and library wines from Burgess Cellars. Small family-run wineries in Napa Valley are becoming an increasingly rare commodity. A Howell Mountain winery with wines crafted by the same winemaker for nearly 38 years is even more unusual.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, February 24,2010

Affordable wining while out dining

by Michael Brenton

Those of us who enjoy dining out know all too well that restaurant wine prices can stretch the budget. For the non-expense account crowd, that may mean ordering entry-level wine instead of that better bottle you want to sample.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, February 24,2010

Grape escapes

by Michael Brenton

Summer is here, and the next four months will bring a full slate of fun wine events around the state On June 13, take an easy day trip to the Ella Sharp Wine and Art Festival in Jackson, featuring art, wine tasting, live music and wine seminars.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, February 24,2010

New release revel

Festival showcases latest wines from Leelenau, Old Mission

by Michael Brenton

On June 13, the northern Michigan community of Leland welcomed thousands of guests for the 24th edition of the Leland Wine and Food Festival.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, February 24,2010

Beaujolais brawl

by Michael Brenton

One minute past midnight on the third Thursday in November ' it’s the time established by the French government for the much over-hyped annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau, the first finished wine of the French vintage.

Read more Read it in print

Wednesday, February 24,2010

The thrill of the chill

Ice wines may be pricey, but they're a sweet treat

by Michael Brenton

It’s that time of year when the snow and frigid cold bring joy to the hearts of certain vintners in Germany, Michigan, New York, the Niagara escarpment region of southern Ontario, and British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. It’s ice wine season ' or Eiswein, if you are in Germany.

Read more Read it in print