Michigan Wine Competition Results Announced

EAST LANSING — Twenty-five wine experts from around the country gathered Aug. 5 in East Lansing for the 37th annual Michigan Wine Competition.

Judges awarded the top “Best of Class” awards to eight wines from a group of 52 gold medal winners.

The top award-winners are:

• Sparkling: Aurora Cellars 2011 Brut
• Dry White: Blustone Vineyards 2013 Riesling
• Dry Red: Peninsula Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc
• Semi-dry White: Gill’s Pier Vineyard & Winery 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling
• Semi-dry Red: Lawton Ridge Winery 2012 AZO Red
• Dessert: Black Star Farms 2012 Arcturos Winter Harvest Riesling
• Fruit: 45 North Vineyard & Winery Peach Cremant
• Rosé: Chateau de Leelanau 2013 Cabernet Franc Rosé

Judges included master sommeliers Ron Edwards and Doug Frost as well as internationally known authors, winemakers, and wine educators.

“This competition really reflects the industry right now — the wide range of grape varieties that are being grown and vinified to produce world-class wines,” says Christopher Cook, a food and wine writer. “It was interesting to see the diversity we are getting in wines from several vintages or different vineyard locations but still from the same grape variety entered by some wineries.”

Fifty-one of the state’s 107 wineries entered 450 wines for this year’s competition. Only wine produced from Michigan grapes and other fruit were eligible to enter.

The competition was co-sponsored by the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, which will host a Gold Medal Wine Reception featuring the best wines from the competition on Aug. 14. Tickets can be purchased at michiganwines.com/reception.