The Jolly Pumpkin/Artisan Beers and Michigan Wines

Went to The Jolly Pumpkin in Ann Arbor this weekend, which I think has been there for about a year. The patio, way in the back, is spacious, woody and really cozy. Great place to go for good beer, but, oddly, their wine list is made up exclusively of Michigan wines. From what I understand, Michigan whites are okay, but the reds are really weak -- definitely nothing to get excited about. There's just not enough sun throughout the year in this state to produce a nice, full-bodied red.

Comments

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I got hooked on Michigan wines about two years ago and now exclusively buy Michigan-made wine. (We do regular trips to stock up) Previously, selecting wines was very hit or miss for us so we enjoy knowing that the MI wine we select is going to be GOOD. You should really do a wine tour of Michigan and really try to understand them better. Every winery we've been to (Black Star, Chateau Grand Traverse, Good Harbor, Left Foot Charley, Gill's Pier, Pleasantview to name a few) have such knowledgeable staff and vintners that you really get to understand the process they go through. Being able to meet the people who make your wine is equivalent (for me) of meeting the farmers who grow my food. There's a trust that you don't develop elsewhere. I don't follow the wine awards very closely but I do know that MI has been very well-honored (and previous posters have listed the details).

[Kswinehart]

For the last 20 years, I didn't know a good wine from a bad wine, a sweet from a dry when purchasing. Most wines I bought were out of state wines, mostly California, I would have to say. It seemed that was all our stores carried here in Michigan, in the past. Times are changing now and for the better. It is possible, that it comes down to state laws, in some cases. Other states wine comes into Michigan but sending ours out- to say- California or Florida, isn't always possible, but is changing. This is probably a good reason why exposure to Michigan wines isn't so wide spread-yet!:-) Laws for importing and exporting need to be across the board. Other states have had years of exposure for their wines here in Michigan. For myself, when buying other out of state wines in the past, it was a hit and miss on whether I liked it or not. That was found out after the purchase of course. Sort of like a " guess what this wine might taste like" game.
I didn't know a Brut from a demi-sec in sparkling wines, a Merlot from a Rose to a Riesling. As times have changed, so have I.
I am more educated now on the variety of wines, the grapes and the talent it takes to make great wines. With the help and knowledge of our wonderful Michigan wineries, the staff and the winemakers themselves, my choice of wine purchasing and palate preference is finally being educated, and I enjoy it immensely.
With Michigan wines and their fine tasting rooms, I know what I am getting with the quality and hard work put into them. My family from out of state loves coming here to get our Rieslings and ice wines, which they can't get in Florida. Most of my family members prefer reds and boast about the ones they find here, purchasing many bottles.
I have to say, I only buy Michigan wines now. I also highly recommend them to anyone who asks what a good wine they can purchase might be. Is it because we in Michigan has access to wineries for tasting so we know what we are getting? That could be one reason. But as I said, I have tried many out of state wines and I have compared them, and in the end, choose Michigan wines over others. To add to this, in regards to the remark on Michigan not having enough sun exposure to the crops- that may be, but Michigan peninsula wines,( like Door County wines in Wisconsin) are surrounded by water, which extends their growing season, making it possible to grow a variety of fruits longer, giving us a variety of wines. BTW, kudos to Door County for some great wines, reminding me of our great Michigan wines.

[Nancy Thompson]

Okay, well you've all clearly put me in my place. Ego aside, I'm glad to see that Michigan wines have such a loyal following. Again, I was mainly going by what my friend who owed the wine bar told me. I'd like to take you up on your offer and do a tasting, Joel. Maybe I can bring my wine bar friend, too.

[Earthboundyoga]

Just got back from the south. Tasted Contessa's, Fenn Valley and Lemon Creeks '08 Cab Franc's. FABULOUS!!! (and the one's released are almost sold out) The north and south are making some good worthy reds! 10 years ago I would have agreed with you. Now they have the experience and many talented wine makers! Cheers to Reds!!! PS} Went to Jolly Pumpkin for the 1st time last week. Was thrilled to see they were supporting MI wines on the menu. Good food, good beer and good wine ; )

[Liz]

Thanks for your curiosity! You wouldn't have had your manager in CA introducing you to Michigan wines since they are basically only sold in Michigan. It is true that some of the heartier red varities wouldn't ripen in Michigan... we don't commercially grow Zinfandel. But they don't do that in the cooler climates in Europe either. It would be like bemoaning that fact that we don't grow oranges and pineapples in Michigan, while ignoring our beautiful apples, pears, and cherries. Everyone understands this about food, but we need to do a better job educating about the beautiful red wines we are producing. Cheers, Liz Berger Chateau Chantal, Traverse City

[MichWine]

Nancy,

Since you know something about wine -- but have never tried Michigan wines -- how about we meet up here in Ann Arbor sometime soon and arrange for you to sample a few. Yes, we'll include a couple of our "really weak" reds as well.

Give us a couple of choices for a date, and we'll do the rest.

Joel @michwine

[Cortcase]

Hi there! As you can see, Michigan wines have a very loyal and passionate fan base! With all of the increased emphasis these days on putting local food on your plate, it only seems natural that the movement extend to your glass as well! Of course, you wouldn't want to choke something down -just- because it's local, but that's the beauty of it — there are tons of Michigan wineries producing GREAT wine. And the stories behind the wineries, the people behind them — they're amazing. Hope you'll decide to give some Michigan wines a chance ... you might find a bottle (or 50!) that you like!

Cortney Casey
MichiganByTheBottle.com

[Maggie Brazeau]

@Nancy - So, you're essentially bashing wines you've never, ever so much as laid eyes on, let alone put in your mouth? Really? How can you have a credible opinion of something you've never tried?

I suppose you're entitled to base your opinion of something you've never tried on someone else's palate, but it makes you look really foolish.

[NickNerbonne]

First of all, I'm glad you had a good time at Jolly Pumpkin, one of the many reasons why Michigan has quickly gained a national reputation for high-quality craft beers. If you're in the Ann Arbor area in late July, you might consider attending the Michigan Summer Beer Festival in Ypsilanti, which features over 200 Michigan craft beers.

I thought I'd post a couple of notes in response to your comments about Michigan wines. While it's certainly true that the climate in the Napa Valley is much better suited to growing Zinfandel and Cabernet Savignon, it's a mistake to discount the quality of red wines in Michigan without first giving them a try. From my experience, Michigan winemakers have worked hard researching combinations of grapes that grow well in a climate influenced heavily by the Great Lakes and are producing a number of rich, flavorful red wines. If you have the means, I recommend sampling Black Star Farms' Leore Vineyard Cab Franc/Merlot, Bel Lago's Tempesta, Brys Estate's Signature Red, Fenn Valley's Meritage, or a number of Cab Franc variations from throughout the state. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

As for Michigan whites being "okay," you might take a glance at the long list of awards (in locales from California to Europe) that have been bestowed upon Michigan wines over the past 10 years. If you're interested in more, a quick Web search will turn up articles from publications like the San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times, Wine Spectator and more discussing not only the quality of Michigan wines, but the stunning beauty that surrounds our vineyards and wineries.

I'd be happy to help point you in the right directions when you plan your visit to Michigan wine country. Drop me a note on Twitter and we'll get started.

Cheers!

Nick Nerbonne
Traverse City, MI
http://www.twitter.com/NickNerbonne

[Nancy Thompson]

Whoa. Hmm. Okay, you've got me curious. To be honest, I'm mainly basing my opinion on what I heard from a friend who owned a wine bar in Michigan for many years. Needless to say, I trust her opinion. Also, I sold wine in San Francisco at a neighborhood shop and I tasted a lot of California, Italian, French, Spanish and German wines when I worked there, but the owner never even mentioned Michigan wines.

[LorriHathaway]

Sheesh, have you tried many of the wines from Michigan's 73 wineries?

I've co-authored two books about Michigan wines and could go on and on about praises from wine experts around the world. We could also go on and on about the awards that Michigan wines are achieving and have been achieving for several decades. A recent honor that quickly comes to mind, other than what Dianna mentioned above, is that Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery (Leelanau Peninsula) was awarded a Double Gold medal in the International Eastern Wine Competition. Overall, the 2,200 wines from around the world were entered in the competition.

Michigan is ranked in the top 10 states for wine production, and the state has aggressive goals to increase vineyard acreage because of our capability to grow high quality grapes. Our lake effect climate produces grapes like no other in the world. And, we've been growing grapes for commercial winemaking since 1863! Regardless of all that, like many other experts and consumers, I think the wines produced in Michigan are great. I hope you get a chance to try some soon! They're sure to change your mind!

Cheers,
Lorri Hathaway
Co-author, From the Vine: Exploring Michigan Wineries
and The History of Michigan Wines: 150 Years of Winemaking along the Great Lakes
www.michiganvine.com

[Dianna]

Please rest assured that Michigan whites hold their own on an international level and that Michigan reds are quickly garnering attention on a national level as well. From a record 395 wines entered, 42 Michigan wineries won a total of 281 medals in the 2009 Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition. Michigan wineries increasingly win high honors at these national and international wine competitions. Just last month, Brys Estate Winery and Chateau Grand Traverse (both on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City) were awarded medals at the International Wine & Spirits Compeittion in London. In fact, Brys was decorated with a Bronze Medal for its 2007 Artisan Pinot Noir -- the first ever medal for a Michigan red wine. In 2009, Brys Artisan Cab-Franc was judged against 22 others in Michigan to receive top honors (Brys also took 4th place). Even the French judge ranked it well above the one French Cab Franc in the blind tasting (which I believe ranked in the bottom five). I invite you to check out a few more Michigan wines before stating "From waht I understand, Michgian whites are okay, but the reds are really weak..." as I believe you'll find many others (such as myself) who think otherwise. Cheers!

Dianna Stampfler
Promote Michigan
www.facebook.com/promotemichigan
www.twitter.com/promotemichigan

www.MichiganWines.com