Top World Wine Magazine Has High Praise for these 10 Michigan Wines

When people think "wine country", they often think Italy, France, or California... More and more though, Michigan is getting recognition for its fantastic wines.

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Northern Michigan and the Michigan lake shore are often in the running for "best wine region in the U.S." contests.

Michigan resorts are also recognized as some of the "best wine country hotels" in the nation as well.

Now one of the world's top wine publications is highlighting Michigan's Rieslings. Decanter Magazine is published in 90 countries and is viewed as one of the world’s top wine authorities.

Last year, Decanter Magazine sent a review to Michigan to rank the Rieslings in the state.

Decanter shares what makes Michigan great for wine:

Lake Michigan, the fifth largest lake in the world, is an integral part of quality grape growing in the state. The Michigan coastline is extensive and full of peninsulas formed thousands of years ago due to glaciation. Arctic glaciers pushed south during the ice ages and carved out the major Great Lakes basin. The lake accumulates heat during the growing season and retains it through the autumn when temperatures drop, thus extending the growing season and giving the ‘lake effect’ necessary to produce quality wine.

Riesling is the most widely-planted vinifera grape in Michigan, and Decanter points out the best places for them in the state are the Traverse Wine Coast and Lake Michigan Shore.

Below are Decanter's picks for the best Michigan Rieslings,

Considered one of the great white grapes of the world, Riesling is lauded by experts for its purity and versatility. Despite this, many consumers believe that all Riesling is sweet, when in fact, the grape can be vinified from a bone-dry wine to the stickiest botrytised style. Riesling is known for its prominent aromatics and high acidity.

All scored over 90 on a 100-point scale, making them “Highly Recommended.”

• Chateau Grand Traverse  - Old Mission Peninsula - Whole Cluster Riesling 2021 - Score 93
• Black Star Farms - Suttons Bay - Arcturos Dry Riesling 2021 - Score 92
• Rove Estate -  Leelanau Peninsula - Select Harvest Riesling 2021 - Score 92
• Verterra Winery - Leelanau Peninsula - Dry Riesling 2021 - Score 92
• Brys Estate - Old Mission Peninsula - Riesling Reserve 2021 - Score 91
• Cody Kresta Vineyard & Winery - Lake Michigan Shore - Dry Riesling 2020 - Score 91
• Shady Lane Cellars - Leelanau Peninsula - Reserve Riesling 2020 - Score 91
• Golden Muse Winery - Lake Michigan Shore - Josephine Baker Dry Riesling 2020 - Score 90
• Lemon Creek Winery - Lake Michigan Shore - Riesling 2021 - Score 90
• St. Julian Winery - Lake Michigan Shore - Braganini Reserve Mountain Road Riesling 2022 - Score 90