Comments on: Wine over water, Oregon, Michigan, the dollar — sips and spits http://www.drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/ wine talk that goes down easy Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:11:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Joel Goldberg http://www.drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-15610 Joel Goldberg Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:43:52 +0000 http://drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-15610 I'm just back from judging the Michigan wine competition, and can assure those of you who doubt Michigan wines that we're entirely capable of making world-class cooler-climate wines. But I understand why some people think our wines are "bleech". Because a lot of them are. First, it's a lot harder to make good wines in a climate like Michigan's than in Napa Valley. Second, some of the people who are making wines here shouldn't be. Third, some of the grapes planted here are never going to produce than curiosities, or wines for those who don't know any better. But I'll wager anyone that right now, today, I can put a Michigan Riesling or Gewurztraminer in your glass that will blow away just about anything made on the Left Coast. And in another five years, I expect to be able to say the same about Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. I’m just back from judging the Michigan wine competition, and can assure those of you who doubt Michigan wines that we’re entirely capable of making world-class cooler-climate wines.

But I understand why some people think our wines are “bleech”. Because a lot of them are. First, it’s a lot harder to make good wines in a climate like Michigan’s than in Napa Valley. Second, some of the people who are making wines here shouldn’t be. Third, some of the grapes planted here are never going to produce than curiosities, or wines for those who don’t know any better.

But I’ll wager anyone that right now, today, I can put a Michigan Riesling or Gewurztraminer in your glass that will blow away just about anything made on the Left Coast. And in another five years, I expect to be able to say the same about Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.

]]> By: Golly http://www.drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-15252 Golly Sun, 05 Aug 2007 09:23:31 +0000 http://drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-15252 Next time I'm in Michigan I'll have to head north and have a look. I'd have thought MI, particularly the UP would be perfect for Ice Wines. Canadian ones a reaching the same kind of prices we'd pay for German or Austrian ones here so it would make sense financially as well as make the most of the bonkers climate. Next time I’m in Michigan I’ll have to head north and have a look. I’d have thought MI, particularly the UP would be perfect for Ice Wines. Canadian ones a reaching the same kind of prices we’d pay for German or Austrian ones here so it would make sense financially as well as make the most of the bonkers climate.

]]> By: Lenn http://www.drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-13429 Lenn Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:15:01 +0000 http://drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-13429 Marta, Well, if you're a fan of West Coast wines, it's entirely possible that you just don't like the more subtle, balanced wines of the East Coast. How long ago did you visit? That makes a difference too. In the last year or so, there has been a palpable increase in quality the region over. But, Martha Clara and Laurel Lake are definitely not places that will give you good examples of what Long Island can do. That's like going to Sutter Home and Forest Glen and making a judgment on California :) I'm surprised that you didn't enjoy Paumanok though. They are certainly one of the regions best...but the wines are much more Bordeaux than they are California. I'm still left shocked that you haven't found wines in your own area worthwhile. I've had a couple wines from Left Foot Charley, Peninsula Cellars and Chateau Grand Traverse that I thought were awesome examples of American riesling. Far better than the overripe, almost-always-sweet West Coast renditions. I guess at the end of the day, palates are all individual, aren't they? If you ever find yourself on Long Island again, please do get in touch with me. I'd be more than happy to point you in the right direction. Marta,

Well, if you’re a fan of West Coast wines, it’s entirely possible that you just don’t like the more subtle, balanced wines of the East Coast.

How long ago did you visit? That makes a difference too. In the last year or so, there has been a palpable increase in quality the region over.

But, Martha Clara and Laurel Lake are definitely not places that will give you good examples of what Long Island can do. That’s like going to Sutter Home and Forest Glen and making a judgment on California :)

I’m surprised that you didn’t enjoy Paumanok though. They are certainly one of the regions best…but the wines are much more Bordeaux than they are California.

I’m still left shocked that you haven’t found wines in your own area worthwhile. I’ve had a couple wines from Left Foot Charley, Peninsula Cellars and Chateau Grand Traverse that I thought were awesome examples of American riesling. Far better than the overripe, almost-always-sweet West Coast renditions.

I guess at the end of the day, palates are all individual, aren’t they?

If you ever find yourself on Long Island again, please do get in touch with me. I’d be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

]]> By: Marta Strickland http://www.drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-13403 Marta Strickland Tue, 17 Jul 2007 04:35:21 +0000 http://drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-13403 I realize that I'm probably being a little harsh, but we had some pretty snotty tasting room companions. But, I am really serious in saying that I've never had a LI wine knock my socks off. I've had a few "decent" Michigan wines, but they still weren't up to snuff compared to West Coast wines in the same price range. It's probably unfair to compare then that way. Honestly, I'd love for nothing more than to have some of these wines amaze me, especially ones I can get around home. I really wanted to take some stuff home from the LI vineyards (my husband and I took 18 bottles home from Napa), but there just wasn't anything we really loved. We visited: Paumanok Vineyards, Laurel Lake, Pelligrini, Bedell Cellars, Castello di Borghese, Martha Clara Pelligrini had some of the worst wine on the trip. We took a bottle home from Laurel Lake in order to avoid awkwardness with an over-zealous staff member. I think there was some good raspberry wine at Bedell. Maybe we just didn't hit up the really good places?? I realize that I’m probably being a little harsh, but we had some pretty snotty tasting room companions. But, I am really serious in saying that I’ve never had a LI wine knock my socks off. I’ve had a few “decent” Michigan wines, but they still weren’t up to snuff compared to West Coast wines in the same price range. It’s probably unfair to compare then that way.

Honestly, I’d love for nothing more than to have some of these wines amaze me, especially ones I can get around home. I really wanted to take some stuff home from the LI vineyards (my husband and I took 18 bottles home from Napa), but there just wasn’t anything we really loved.

We visited: Paumanok Vineyards, Laurel Lake, Pelligrini, Bedell Cellars, Castello di Borghese, Martha Clara

Pelligrini had some of the worst wine on the trip. We took a bottle home from Laurel Lake in order to avoid awkwardness with an over-zealous staff member. I think there was some good raspberry wine at Bedell. Maybe we just didn’t hit up the really good places??

]]> By: Lenn http://www.drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-13394 Lenn Tue, 17 Jul 2007 02:08:27 +0000 http://drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-13394 Marta...I think you're wrong on two big counts...Michigan wines AND Long Island ones. I've had some kick-ass riesling and bubbly from your neck of the woods. As to LI, my neck of the woods, I don't know where you tasted, but there are only a few wineries that I think are making "sour reds" and/or "watery whites" Where did you taste? Marta…I think you’re wrong on two big counts…Michigan wines AND Long Island ones.

I’ve had some kick-ass riesling and bubbly from your neck of the woods.

As to LI, my neck of the woods, I don’t know where you tasted, but there are only a few wineries that I think are making “sour reds” and/or “watery whites”

Where did you taste?

]]> By: Wine Dude http://www.drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-13341 Wine Dude Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:02:01 +0000 http://drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-13341 Overrated NY wines?!? Most New Yorkers don't even know about NY wines and if they do, they refuse to even try them. Besides, I've had some really nice ones including varietals that don't normally get a lot of press. How can an obscure varietal in a tiny wine region be 'overvalued'?!?!? Overrated NY wines?!? Most New Yorkers don’t even know about NY wines and if they do, they refuse to even try them. Besides, I’ve had some really nice ones including varietals that don’t normally get a lot of press. How can an obscure varietal in a tiny wine region be ‘overvalued’?!?!?

]]> By: Marta Strickland http://www.drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-13338 Marta Strickland Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:44:22 +0000 http://drvino.com/2007/07/16/wine-over-water-oregon-michgan-the-dollar-sips-and-spits/#comment-13338 As a Michigander, I have to admit that Michigan wines are pretty bleech, but I've had some good ones. There was a particularly fantastic oaky Chardonnay I used to pick up while trekking from SE Michigan to Chicago from a Black Star Farms outlet shop. The wineries up north are the decent producers, but there are wineries popping up all over now. While I wouldn't go out of my wine to buy it or have it in a restaurant, Michigan wines are at least comparable to over-valued overrated NY wines from Long Island (very similar climate and soil as the Michigan dunes). We vacationed there last summer to find nothing but sour reds and watery whites and at steep prices no less. At least Michigan wines are priced for what they are. As a Michigander, I have to admit that Michigan wines are pretty bleech, but I’ve had some good ones. There was a particularly fantastic oaky Chardonnay I used to pick up while trekking from SE Michigan to Chicago from a Black Star Farms outlet shop. The wineries up north are the decent producers, but there are wineries popping up all over now. While I wouldn’t go out of my wine to buy it or have it in a restaurant, Michigan wines are at least comparable to over-valued overrated NY wines from Long Island (very similar climate and soil as the Michigan dunes). We vacationed there last summer to find nothing but sour reds and watery whites and at steep prices no less. At least Michigan wines are priced for what they are.

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