BETWEEN THE VINES

Ellen Landis, CS, CSW

Aurora Cellars | 2020 Gewürztraminer | Leelanau Peninsula The fragrant bouquet of freesias and roses on the nose is awakening. On the palate, this medium sweet wine offers up delicious elements of lychee, passion fruit, orange marmalade, hints of spice cake, and grilled pineapple. It boasts fine balance, and the finish lingers on and on. SRP: $19 | Food pairing: Shrimp and pineapple sNr fry | www.auroracellars.com Aurora Cellars | 2020 Dry Riesling | Leelanau Peninsula BroadcasNng classic Riesling characterisNcs, here is an upliQing, well-craQed dry Riesling. A bowlful of juicy summer peaches and nectarines join fresh squeezed lime, minerality, a trace of salinity, and citrus blossom accents. Bracing acidity keeps it brilliantly balanced through the lively finish. SRP: $19 | Food pairing: Rockfish ceviche | www.auroracellars.com Detroit Vineyards | 2020 Herman Farms Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc | Lake Michigan Shore The engaging aroma of sun-ripened stone fruit really gets your juices flowing. Flavors of tangy passion fruit, lemon verbena, gooseberries, citrus splashed nectarines, and ripe peaches combine with gravelly minerality and brisk acidity, and the finish feels eternal. SRP: $28 | Food pairing: Crispy fried oysters | www.detroitvineyards.com Detroit Vineyards | Woodward & Vine 2020 Domaine Berrien Vineyard !Blau! | Lake Michigan Shore This juicy dry red, composed of 100% Blaufränkisch, displays a heady floral aroma. A bright burst of ripe purple plums, hints of cinnamon, and raspberries intertwine with subtle pepper spice and a kiss of oak from neutral French barrel aging. Finishes long and elegantly. SRP: $32 | Food pairing: Cavatelli pasta with duck ragu | www.detroitvineyards.com St. Julian Winery | 2019 Braganini Reserve Traminebe | Lake Michigan Shore Floral and spice elements greet the nose with this energeNc, slightly sweet wine. A bright blast of crisp apples, fresh peaches, lychee, Meyer lemon sorbet, and hints of homemade honeycomb candy explode deliciously on the palate. Well balanced through the final juicy sip. SRP: $15.99 | Food pairing: Chicken curry soup | www.stjulian.com St. Julian Winery | 2019 Braganini Reserve Albariño | Lake Michigan Shore The scent of sweet acacia flowers leads to vibrant fruit flavors of ripe kiwi, fresh apricot, blood orange, and tropical Galia melon heightened by fresh squeezed lemon accents coaNng the palate. Smooth and easy to quaff with a pleasing mineral edge that persists through the upbeat close. SRP: $21.99 | Food pairing: Lemon-Nnged prawn risobo | www.stjulian.com Winery at Black Star Farms | 2019 Gamay Noir | Leelanau Peninsula Aromas of strawberry rhubarb pie lead the parade for this elegant dry red wine. Montmorency cherries, a gentle dusNng of herbs, candied raspberries, shades of forest floor, and a whisper of oak wrap around graceful tannins. Well balanced and ethereal on the palate through the dreamy finish. SRP: $17.50 | Food pairing: Penne pasta with Black Forest ham and pea

pods | www.blackstarfarms.com

Winery at Black Star Farms | 2019 Gewürztraminer | Michigan Here is a brilliant example of a dry Gewürztraminer. The expressive aroma draws you hearNly into the glass. Zesty layers of tropical guava, lychee, lemon zest, and fresh ground ginger unwind seamlessly onto the palate. BeauNfully textured and prisNnely balanced as it heads to the grand finale. SRP: $18 | Food pairing: Sautéed chicken with garlic/ginger sauce www.blackstarfarms.com Brengman Brothers Crain Hill Vineyard | 2018 DaGudScht Blanc de Blancs XTRA BRUT | Leelanau Peninsula This spirited bubbly opens with an inviNng lemon-lime scent. The creamy mousse and Nny bead capNvate the eye, and Nngling acidity exhilarates the palate. Deliciously dry and bright as stone fruit, yellow plum, quince paste, and citrus accents entwine from the sparkling start to the vivid finish. SRP: $49.95 | Food pairing: Pepper jelly/cream cheese crosNni | www.brengmanbrothers.com

Brengman Brothers Crain Hill Vineyard | 2020 Riesling Trocken | Leelanau Peninsula A mouthwatering citrus blossom and wet stone aroma waQs from the glass. This buoyant, dry Riesling is fresh and vibrant with white peach, fresh apricot, chalky minerality, and lime zest Nckling the taste buds. Sleek and lively with a racy spine of acidity and a finish that goes the distance. SRP: $24.95 | Food pairing: Prosciubo wrapped figs | www.brengmanbrothers.com Good Harbor Vineyards | 2019 Pinot Noir Zweigelt | Leelanau Peninsula A whiff of lilacs and strawberries on the nose set the stage for a lovely intermingling of tart cherries, black raspberries, dried strawberries, a touch of earthiness, and a twist of white peppercorns wrapped around a nice backbone of acidity. Sleek and fresh tasNng on the palate, and the final sip is everlasNng. SRP: $36 | Food pairing: Chicken marsala | www.goodharbor.com Good Harbor Benjamin’s Vineyard | NV Blanc de Noirs | Leelanau Peninsula The beauNful mousse and aroma of fresh red and black berries are scinNllaNng. Red raspberries, fresh just picked strawberries, hints of pie crust, a twist of orange peel, and blanched almond flavors unfold in harmony. The creamy texture carries the wine to a vibrant finish. SRP: $24 | Food pairing: Smoked salmon pate | www.goodharbor.com

The quality of wines across Michigan continues to reach higher levels

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ellen Landis, CS, CSW, is a published wine writer, certified sommelier, wine educator and professional wine judge. She spent four years as a sommelier at the Ritz Carlton and sixteen years as Wine Director/ Sommelier at the award winning boutique hotel she and her husband built and operated in Half Moon Bay, CA. They recently sold the hotel to devote more time to the world of wine. Contact Ellen at ellen@ellenonwine.com

Cooper Cooler

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Why wait for cool wine? Electric machine chills wine bottles in 6 minutes. Beverages rotate while being sprayed with ice water; also heats baby bottles. Measures approximately 16 by 10-1/2 by 8 inches.

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Protect your wine - these drink covers for glasses keep undesirable outdoor and indoor elements out of your drinking glasses for worry-free drinking wherever you are. Perfect picnic accessory, Available at: https://tinyurl.com/5bv5c3xs |

MSRP: $16.95

Wine Infused Dessert Sauce

Made of spices, whole fruits, and Zinfandel or Merlot, these sauces let you drizzle wine on anything. Drinks or dessert? You can have both... for breakfast (or whenever you're feeling saucy). These small-batch sauces don't contain alcohol, but add a subtle, fruity wine flavor to anything. Available at

https://tinyurl.com/43pte49m | MSRP: $17

SIPPING WINE AT SUNSET ON OLD MISSION PENINSULA

200 feet sandy access on West Bay; complements this beautifully maintained 3BR/2bath Ranch style home! Main floor living with private master suite, cozy fireplace in the living room overlooking a pretty landscaped yard with mature trees and partial water views. The floor plan is open, lots of storage and the lower level has a workshop/craft room area. This 1/19 ownership of the beach comes with a dock and yes, you can have a boat! Can't beat the location, private setting close to the beach. $598,000. Debra J. Hall Call or Text: 231-590-0936 521 Randolph St., Traverse City, MI #1896500

MAGAZINE SPACE

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4 COLOR

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1/2 Page Horizontal $250

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