on August 19, 2014 at 6:43 AM, updated Looking for the best bottles of Michigan wines? The state's Grape and Wine Industry Council in an award ceremony last week recognized eight wines that topped the annual competition with "best of class" awards. Council Program Manager Linda Jones said the 2013 Michigan Wine Competition reception, which took place at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, drew a crowd of 350 people. Nationally, Michigan is gaining some recognition when it comes to quality wines. "Michigan is in the top 10 wine producing states in the country. Wine is produced in all 50 states. And Michigan's reputation for quality fruit production makes it an ideal location for growing wine grapes," Jones said. One variety of Michigan wine that's becoming recognized in national and international wine circles is Riesling, said Tom Knighton, owner of Blustone Vineyards in Lake Leelanau. The winery's 2013 Riesling won a best of class award from the competition this year.

"Actually on a world stage, Michigan Rieslings are starting to become highly respected," Knighton said. Riesling is a white wine known for its sweeter varieties, and many Michigan vineyards grow that grape variety. Knighton said his winemaker has a real talent for Rieslings. In addition, the vineyard where grapes are grown features granite boulders on top of limestone. That soil gives the wine complexity and a bit of minerality, Knighton said. Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery in Leland won a best of class award for its 2013 Riesling Semi-Dry. Owner Ryan Sterkenburg said the good growing year meant winemakers had good, bright fruit to work with. "The year just brought out a lot of the natural characteristics of the wine," Sterkenburg said. Ten years ago red wines grown in Michigan weren't highly praised, Jones said, but a lot has changed in a decade. Michigan doesn't do the full-bodied reds California is known for, because those grape varietals don't grow well here.

But the most widely planted grape varietal in Michigan now is Pinot Noir, used for a lighter-bodied red. Lawton Ridge Winery, of Kalamazoo, won a best of class award for its 2012 AZO Red. The letters are the airport call code for Kalamazoo, said winery co-owner Crick Haltom. what does wine cost in italyIt's a semi-dry red blend.best place to drink wine in france "What we work toward is making well balanced, food friendly wines," Haltom said.best wine new york strip In other words, they've got a place on the table as part of a meal.best selling wine in 2014 All the wineries mentioned in this article have tasting rooms, and owners encouraged people to drop by to experience some wines and also some expertise. wine bar dc chinatown

Jones said it was a good starting point to figure out your wine preferences. "The best way to learn about which Michigan wines you like is to visit Michigan winery tasting rooms," Jones said.top 10 family friendly wine farms And the tasting rooms are increasingly a tourist destination. best wine bars east sideAsked if people from out of state stopped in, Haltom didn't have to look far.wine in a box kit "There are some people in the tasting room right now from Minnesota. where to buy wine chicago loopSo yes, we get a lot of out of town and out of state visitors," he said. Jones said one of the Grape and Wine Industry Council's most popular features is a web page that lets you map out winery tours.

And increasingly Michiganders want to purchase Michigan wines as well. "The trend toward supporting local businesses has been very beneficial to the Michigan wine industry," Jones said. The Grape and Wine Industry Council encourages restaurants to include Michigan wines on their wine lists, and identifies those that do on its website. One thing to watch for when selecting wines is the year, Jones said, because the weather and grape differences change the flavor of a wine. Jones said all 53 Gold Medal and Double Gold Medal wines deserved a try, and certainly the best of class winners. "We encourage consumers to use the results as a way to evaluate or try some new wines knowing that these wines have already been vetted by wine experts," Jones said. Emily Lawler is a Capital/Lansing business reporter for MLive. , subscribe to her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter: @emilyjanelawler.Plan Your Wine Tour View the list of 2016 medal-winning wines. Are you looking purchase these spectacular award winning wines?

The most reliable way to locate them is to contact the winery directly. Michigan wineries increasingly win high honors at these national and international wine competitions. Check your favorite winery's page on this website to discover some of the awards they've received. Click on a column heading to change the way the list is sorted. Bay View Wine Trail Facebook Page Following the shores of Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay and the inland lakes of the "Northwest Michigan Wine Region", you'll find new wineries with remarkable old world wines, as well as exceptional new grape, and fruit varieties to the wine world. Come enjoy a relaxing wine tour without the crowds, and discover why this beautiful area comprised of Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Indian River has been attracting resorters for more than 100 years. Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail Website They call Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail the Napa Valley of the Midwest. Like the hills of California, this land is ideal for handcrafting fine wines.

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Each tasting room along the trail offers its own unique experience, from pure elegance with unparalleled views to cozy nooks loaded with charm. Sip wines and chat with the laid-back, hardworking winemakers that produce them. The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is the largest and oldest in Michigan and has garnered national attention as a world-class destination. Whether your visit lasts a day or a season, you're sure to find comfort and pleasure in everything the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail has to offer. Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail Website Southeast Michigan's newest pioneers are the vintners of the early 21st century, growing and selling special wines for you to discover. Southeastern Michigan's Pioneer wine making region is a great place to spend a few hours ... or a few days! The beautiful rolling Irish Hills, many lakes and Hidden Lake Gardens are right along the trail. Relax, savor our wines, stop for some antiquing and perhaps stay in one of the many bed and breakfast inns in the area.