The State of Michigan has implemented an innovative program to support participants in achieving self-sufficiency and higher wages.
Riesling is a popular grape in Michigan, and it comes in lots of yummy styles. People there make it in different ways, and it goes great with all kinds of food. A magazine called Decanter is checking out the Rieslings from Michigan to see how tasty they are.
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan, one of the world’s biggest lakes, plays a vital role in growing excellent grapes in Michigan. The state’s extensive coastline, with peninsulas formed by ancient ice, creates a unique environment. During the ice ages, glaciers shaped the Great Lakes basin. The lake holds onto heat during the growing season and releases it in the fall, making the grape-growing time longer. This special process, known as the ‘lake effect,’ helps produce high-quality wine.
“Our vineyards are located by one of the largest lakes globally, shaped by glaciers a long time ago. This unique land makes every bottle of Michigan wine truly special,” says Patrick Brys, president & CEO of Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery.
Riesling: Michigan’s Exceptional Grape
In Michigan, Riesling is a significant grape, making up 29% of all plantings, with over 930 hectares dedicated to grape cultivation, and 270 hectares specifically for Riesling.
Riesling is known worldwide as a top-notch white grape because it can be crafted into various wines, ranging from bone-dry to sweet. While some think all Riesling is sweet, it actually offers a broad spectrum of flavors. Recognized for its intense aromas and high acidity, Riesling’s natural acidity can be balanced with a touch of residual sugar, often by stopping fermentation. The alcohol content is generally low, sometimes even in the single digits.
The Optimal Regions for Michigan Riesling
In Michigan, where the state looks like a mitten, two fantastic places for growing great grapes are Traverse Wine Coast and Lake Michigan Shore. Michigan has a massive coastline with lots of freshwater. Emily Dockery, who helps with Michigan wines, says they make different styles of Riesling, from sweet to dry, similar to the fancy ones from places like Alsace.In the northern part of Michigan, there’s a cool place called Traverse Wine Coast with almost 40 wineries. It has two special areas, Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula, by the huge Lake Michigan. These places make yummy wines that taste fruity because of the lake. Together, they make more than half of all the wine in Michigan.Down in the southwest corner by a big lake is the Lake Michigan Shore. It has about 15 wineries, including the oldest one in the state called St. Julian, started in 1921. This area is a bit warmer, giving the grapes an extra few weeks to grow.Adam McBride, who helps with the wineries there, says, “Our Riesling wines in Lake Michigan Shore taste a bit different. They’re fruity, like peaches, pears, apples, and oranges, unlike the lighter taste of lemons and limes in the northern areas.”
How Michigan Riesling tastes
In Michigan, there’s a cool place called Traverse Wine Coast with almost 40 wineries. They have two special areas, Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula, by the big Lake Michigan. These places make yummy wines that taste fruity because of the lake. Together, they make more than half of all the wine in Michigan.Down in the southwest corner by another big lake is Lake Michigan Shore. It has about 15 wineries, including the oldest one in the state called St. Julian, started in 1921. This area is a bit warmer, giving the grapes an extra few weeks to grow.
Pairing Riesling with food
The wines in Michigan, especially Riesling, taste fresh and fruity. They can be dry or sweet, and people say they’re great with food. Fish from Lake Michigan goes really well with a dry Riesling, and if you like spicy Asian food, these wines can balance out the spice. Michigan is also famous for cherries, and they pair nicely with the wines too. Cheers to Michigan and its tasty wines!