Top 100 wines of Michigan - Page 7
Discover the top 100 best wines of Michigan as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the wines that are popular of Michigan and the best vintages to taste in this region.
Discovering the wine region of Michigan
Michigan is a state in the Midwestern United States, located between Great Lakes Huron and Michigan, along the northern border of the United States with Canada. Grape wine production in the state focuses on cool Climate vinifera varieties, while fruit wine production is also significant. The state is also known for its craft breweries and a growing spirits industry. Riesling has quickly become the most important noble grape, supported by varieties such as Pinot blanc, pinot grigio and Gewurztraminer.
The Bordeaux varieties, Gamay and Pinot Noir are among the most important red varieties. In regions further inland from the Great Lakes, cold-hardy Hybrid grapes are more common. Examples include Marquette, Frontenac and Vidal. Michigan is one of the few wine regions in the world that can produce natural ice wines.
Discover the grape variety: Pinot grigio
Pinot grigio is a grey grape variety mutated from Pinot Noir. It has its origins in Burgundy, where it is called pinot-beurot in reference to the colour of the grey robes worn by the monks of the region. Established in Alsace since the 17th century, pinot grigio was called tokay until 2007. It is made up of bunches of small berries that vary in colour from pink to blue-grey. It is particularly well suited to the continental climate because it is resistant to the cold in winter and to spring frosts. This variety also likes dry limestone soils with plenty of sunshine in the summer. pinot grigio is well suited to late harvesting or to the selection of noble grapes, depending on the year and the concentration of sugars in the berries. Pinot grigio wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot grigio is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.
