Michigan rieslings continue to wow wine judges across the country. Now, it’s the 2002 Arcturos Late Harvest wine from Black Star Farms that’s in the winner’s circle.
At the recent 14th annual Jerry D. Mead New World International Wine Competition in California, the Leelanau Peninsula riesling won a gold medal, then Best of Class, Best of Varietal, and in a final taste-off of 17 wines, Best New World Dessert Wine and the Galleano Family Trophy — quite a statement for a wine that costs about $12.
“It was the best of all the dessert wines,” says event organizer Eileen Tillery. “It’s usually Canada’s ice wines that win the trophy.”
The wine’s already a hot seller in Metro Detroit. “It’s our house riesling,” says Suzanne Gormely, dining manager at the Whitney in Detroit, who has gone through 17 cases since October.
“We got it, thinking it would go with our desserts, but people like to drink it by the glass before dinner. And then they often order a bottle,” she says.
Despite the “late harvest” designation, which marks it as a sweet wine, it doesn’t come off as cloying. It has a core of bright acidity to offset the sweetness, which is typical of Michigan rieslings.
“Our fruit in 2002 was particularly good quality,” says elated winemaker Lee Lutes. He points out the grapes were picked almost a month later than normal and the extra ripening time made all the difference.
It’s one more indication that Michigan rieslings are making a name for themselves.
Last year, a riesling from Michigan’s Peninsula Cellars Winery was named Best White Wine at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, along with Best White Wine at the International Eastern Wine Competition in Corning, N.Y. A Chateau Grand Traverse riesling was in the run-off for both spots.
