Michigan's Growth Industry - Wine!

(c) 2007, Robert Smith
Over the last few years, I've become more interested in wines in general, and Michigan wines in particular. I gravitate towards fuller bodied reds with a low relative sugar content. Of course, in Michigan you have no problem finding sweeter wines either, a fact that delights my wife.

Most people know about the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula areas, but there are some very good wineries in southeast and south central Michigan, too. Some, like Sandhill Cranes Vineyards in Jackson and Cherry Creek Cellars in Cement City, have their own vineyards.

Others like Pentamere Winery (Michigan's first urban winery) in Tecumseh buy grapes and do the wine-making at their site. Pentamere buys grapes only from watershed areas that drain into the Great Lakes. Stop in and talk to these guys, their passion is contagious! And take a taste of Garnet 2005 while you're there. Most red and white wine lovers will like this wine. Ask them for a tour of the basement for a fascinating look at a compact wine making operation.

There are more wineries and 'micro-wineries' opening that buy various grape juices and start the wine making process from that point, like Spotted Dog Winery in Saline. Don't let that stop you from trying some very good wines! (Their Saline River Red is a very enjoyable and affordable table wine.)

Some good general internet wine resources are CatchWine.com , WinesAndVines.com, and MichiganWines.com - website of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council. The Benson Marketing Group (www.BensonMarketing.com/enews_monitor.html) serves the wine industry and has three different eNewsletters that you can receive in the General, Direct Shipping, and Wine Afficionado categories.