Overview
You might not immediately think of Michigan when you think of wine, but the Great Lake State lives up to its name in this regard. It is the 11th largest state by area in the country and is known for its four distinct seasons (with some folks engaging in a friendly debate as to which one is their favorite). It’s divided into two peninsulas by Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, with Lansing being its capital city.
The state has a long history with wine dating back to the 1800s where it was produced commercially, though prohibition forced many winemakers out of business. But now that those laws have been overturned, farmers are able to grow and produce wine once again.
A key state for seeking out unique wine varieties
A key state for seeking out unique wine varieties, Michigan has a long history of grape growing and winemaking. It is one of the top 5 grape-growing states in the US, producing over 8 million gallons of wine annually. However, despite its size, it is relatively unknown outside America. Michigan is a good place to look for unusual wines from European grapes such as Pinot Blanc (also known as Weissburgunder in Germany), Chardonnay and Pinot Noir alongside French-American hybrids like Seyval Blanc, Frontenac and Vignoles (also known as Ravat 51).
Major grape varieties grown in Michigan
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Appellations
Appellations are a way of distinguishing where the grapes used in a wine were grown. When you see an appellation written on the label of a bottle of wine, that means that the grapes used to make it came from a designated region where certain conditions are present to yield desirable results for growing them. There are two classifications of appellations: American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), which is a large swath of land where similar conditions exist, and sub-appellations called American Viticultural Sub-Areas (AVSAs). While AVAs are specific to the United States, appellation systems also exist in other countries like France and Spain.
Here is a list of AVAs in Michigan:
- Leelanau Peninsula AVA
- Old Mission Peninsula AVA
- Fennville AVA
- Lake Michigan Shore AVA
- Traverse City AVA
- Grand Traverse Bay AVA
The most important appellations in Michigan are Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula, and Traverse City. These three areas produce some of the best wines coming out of this state. They’re famous for producing high-quality Riesling and Pinot Noir grapes, but they have all sorts of varieties available that can’t be found elsewhere.
Famous wines from Michigan
The top producers of Riesling in Michigan might be hard to pronounce, but they’re worth knowing about. They are the L. Mawby, Chateau Grand Traverse, Black Star Farms and Leorie Vineyards. Plus there’s a new project called Dragonfly Creek Estate Rare Collection.
The grapes of the north
While wines from the north may not be quite as well-known as those from California or France, they’re certainly worth a second look. The grapes are different, but they’re full of flavor and interesting characteristics.
Northern wine grapes tend to have lower sugar levels; grapes in cooler climates produce fewer sugars than their warmer climate counterparts. This means that northern wines tend to be less sweet than southern wines, but not necessarily dry—it’s all about picking the right grape. Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from! A winemaker with an eye for quality can make a truly memorable wine using some of the lesser known varietals grown in cold weather regions:
- Chambourcin: A French-American hybrid that was first developed in New York State in 1963. It has deep red color and is often described as rich and earthy with notes of blackberry and spice
- Seyval Blanc: Another French-American hybrid variety created in the 1930s by Albert Seibel at his nursery near Orleans, France. It is often used to create sparkling wines because it can retain acidity even during extended aging periods