Ring in the new year in Northern Michigan at a party near you. If you’re throwing your own bash take note of some of the following celebratory drinks! This article was originally featured in the January 2015 issue of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine.
Born of a happy accident in France’s Abbaye de Sainte Hilaire, sparkling wine has been lowering inhibitions for nearly five centuries. The bubbles in these wines derive from a second fermentation wherein yeast and sugar are added to still wine in tank (the cuve close, or Charmat method) or in bottle (the méthode champenoise, or traditional method), and the resultant CO2 stays trapped in the wine. With a new year and several months of ski season to celebrate, we take up our flutes and sip through a few of the North’s best bubblies.
Shady Lane Sparkling Riesling 2012 | Suttons Bay
The sexy, electric stone fruit aromas of 2012 Leelanau Peninsula riesling are accentuated with lively bubbles in this petillant expression of Northern Michigan’s noblest grape. Fruit-focused with fresh acidity, ’tis perfect for drinking before noon.
Big Little C-3 Pinot Brut NV | Suttons Bay
A sparkling trifecta of pinot gris, noir and blanc, the Lange bros and Big Little bottle-aged this baby en tirage for 25 months to impart texture and yeasty complexity to a bright core of fruit.
Bower’s Harbor 2896 Brut Rosé 2010 | Old Mission
Crafted exclusively from pinot noir grown on Spencer Stegenga’s lauded Langley Vineyard, Bowers’ vintage brut rosé brings loads of strawberry and spice notes along with fine, persistent bubble structure.
2Lads Sparkling Pinot Grigio 2013 | Old Mission
Bright pear, citrus blossom and almond aromas ride the tiny bubble train in this deftly fermented sparkling grigio from the Lads. Prime for midwinter sipping, a few extra months in the bottle should bring further delight.
L. Mawby Blancs de Noirs Brut NV | Suttons Bay
Mawby squashes his pinot clusters whole to extract maximum structure before blending with aged reserve components and instigating bottle fermentation. The result is a deliciously complex bubbly with nuances of berry and brioche.