Robert Lovik of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintner’s Association wrote a review of the popular “Taste the Passion” wine-tasting event and we’ve republished it here with permission.
New Releases & Old Favorites at Taste the Passion by Robert Lovik
Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association wineries celebrated the annual Taste the Passion food pairing event with family recipes, new releases and old favorites as wine lovers flocked to the peninsula.
As part of a team covering the event, I visited seven wineries in the southern half of the peninsula and apologies go out to those we missed. It certainly was not due to lack of effort or desire. Simply a lack of time! Starting at Michigan’s only winery specializing in sparkling wine, L. Mawby, things got off to a bubbly start.
L. Mawby featured their classic brut rose Sex with a pistachio-topped pound cake drizzled with dark chocolate. Sex is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes with red fruit aromas, grapefruit notes and a nice crisp bite that paired excellently with the pound cake. Also featured was the brut Blanc de Blancs with zesty apple notes, a flowery nose and handpicked Chardonnay grapes. Detroit rounded out L. Mawby’s event wines. A demi sec, Detroit was the sweetest of the three wines and blends Riesling, Traminette, Vidal and Muscat grapes. These three exciting wines feature a wide range of Michigan fruit and exemplify the possibilities available to local wine makers.
Ciccone Vineyard and Winery featured an old family recipe paired with a Northern Michigan classic, 2009 Nectar. Nectar is an even blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. An experience all by itself but when paired with a cup of homemade Minestrone soup topped with fresh Parmesan on a chilly February day, Nectar becomes heavenly!
With amazing views of the West Bay, location alone makes Willow Vineyard worth the visit. But add a 2008 Pinot Noir, a classic with a cherry nose, and a Chocolate Raspberry Surprise smothered in hot, milk chocolate and you’re in for one of the Leelanau Peninsula’s most decadent experiences. John and Jo Crampton, winemaker and owners of Willow, were also pouring their 2008 Pinot Gris. The 2008 Pinot Gris was one of my favorite wine experiences of the day and I’m looking forward to coming back in the summer and enjoying a chilled glass under the sun.
Shady Lane Cellars was offering their unique 2008 Blue Franc made with 100% Lemberger grapes. This varietal, made with locally grown Austrian grapes, paired wonderfully with the equally unique chocolate chili. The chili was an excellent compliment to the spice of the Blue Franc, which also has hints of blue and black berries.
Longview Winery offered the only ice wine of the day. Sweet Winter Ice paired with a cheese, maple and bacon biscuit served up by winemaker Alan Eaker who told us that he only makes wine from fruit that he grows and, if the grapes aren’t worthy, he won’t make wine! He further explained that as someone opens their minds to trying new wines, an appreciation and vocabulary for wine will grow. Longview’s 2010 Rustic Red, bottled two days prior to the event, proved that it doesn’t take long to gain an appreciation of great wine. The Rustic Red, a blended dry red, showcases Alan’s skills and artistry as a wine maker.
Black Star Farms and Chateau de Leelanau rounded out a perfect day on the Leelanau Peninsula. Black Star featured their dry, fruity Red House Red paired with a mouthwatering piece of tenderloin topped with candied ginger and a chocolate port sauce. And, gearing up for the Super Bowl, Chateau de Leelanau served up two different types of chicken wings along with their Cherry Wine. The Tenascent Red, another featured Chateau de Leelanau wine, is an off-dry house style wine with spicy berry and stewed plum notes and provided an outstanding end to Taste the Passion.
The Leelanau Peninsula Vintner’s Association is an organization that promotes eighteen wineries and vineyards on the Leelanau Peninsula. The Leelanau Peninsula has a reputation for producing award-winning wines and is a popular destination for wine-tasting fun. The association sponsors annual wine-tasting events in every season of the year. Along with fine wines, Leelanau is a beautiful place to visit because of the miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, quaint small towns, vineyards, cherry orchards, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The next event is “Spring Sip & Savor,” another annual event you won’t want to miss. Call The Homestead for special “Spring Sip & Savor” weekend package reservations today at 231.334.5000 or visit our Calendar of Events page of our website.
2011 Sip & Savor
