Ohio vs Michigan Wine Clash 2008
Ann Arbor, MI & Columbus, OH
Tasted Sunday, November 16, 2008 - Thursday, November 20, 2008 by AndrewSGHall with 1,177 views
Introduction
Inspired by a vague 'drink-local' meme in response to Beaujolais Nouveau and blended into the annual Ohio State - Michigan football rivalty, the Ohio vs Michigan Wine Clash was born. Both states have deep wine histories and growing wine industries with dedicated producers who are continually raising the bar. This Clash serves to celebrate and honor these wineries as well as raise awareness to the qualitiy in both states. This is also - to my knowledge - the only purely consumer-driven wine competition in either state.
I ran seperate judging panels in Ann Arbor (11/16) and Columbus (11/17). I was not a judge in any of the panels and these tasting notes are my impressions of the wines which I briefly tasting during each flight.
Flight 1 - Sparkling Wines - Both Locations (2 Notes)
This is a category I think both states could really make a mark, but this category was our least populous. The Shady Lane Brut was one of the few wines not chosen by me (big props to Heidi @ Vinology).
Winner : Shady Lane Brut 2000 MI
Flight 2 - Aromatic Whites - Both Locations (9 Notes)
Aromatic Whites is a somewhat catchall category to encompass varieties like Riesling or Gewürztraminer as well the potential for significant residual sugar. Ideally, it would be great to taste all the wine ahead of time and be able to sort out those with RS.
Winner: Ferrante Golden Bunches Riesling 2007 OH
Flight 3 - Whites - Both Locations (8 Notes)
I am torn between isolating Chardonnay as it own class and leaving with other more full-bodied whites. I lean toward the latter since Chardonnay in both Ohio and Michigan runs the largest spectrum of styles.
Winner: Black Star Farms 'Arcturos' Chardonnay sur Lie 2006 MI
Flight 4 - Pinot Noirs - Both Locations (5 Notes)
There is now signficant enough Pinot Noir production in both states to warrant a seperate category. While stylistic differences exist, I think is becoming a 'right' way to handle PN in the wildly varying vintages in the Midwest and that way encloses all styles.
Winner: Black Star Farms 'Arcturos' Pinot Noir 2006 MI
Flight 5 - Red Wines - Both Locations (4 Notes)
There were predominantly Meritage blends/varieties with the Syrah having no other logical home.
Winner : Kinkead Ridge Revelation 2006 OH
Flight 6 - Sparkling - Ohio Only (1 Note)
Flight 7 - Aromatic Whites - Ohio Only (6 Notes)
Flight 8 - Whites - Ohio Only (9 Notes)
Flight 9 - Pinot Noirs - Ohio Only (3 Notes)
Flight 10 - Reds - Ohio Only (6 Notes)
Flight 11 - Michigan Only (3 Notes)
Flight 12 - Supplemental (non competition) (6 Notes)
Some of these I had got for the competition, but not used. Others I just ended up drinking in keeping with the theme.
Closing
As a side note, the Ferrante Golden Bunches Riesling 2007 and the Kinkead Ridge Revelation 2006 were the clear
2000 Shady Lane Brut
USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula
(11/17/2008)
Nice crisp apple notes. Tart and very nervy with a strong backbone. Nice mousse and persistence. Good stuff. Consistent across two bottles for both nights of the judging.
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NV Ravenhurst La Terre Riche Grande Cuvee
USA, Ohio
(11/16/2008)
Two bottles across two nights showed definite signs of madeirization - not unpleasant or bad, but distinct quality of aged Champagne. If you like that, this wine will please. Good body and heft. Slickness on the end, but a nice overall effect.
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