Traverse Wine Coast Uncorks Some Of Its Finest Wines
Michigan is more than a football, basketball and auto manufacturing state.
In fact, it’s fast becoming a wine state, as proven at the TEXSOM International Wine Competition where Michigan wineries won 69 medals representing 17 wineries from the Traverse Wine Coast.
“We’ve been saying for a while that the wines of the region can match up with wines from anywhere in the world,” said Traverse Wine Coast Vice President, Gabe Marzonie. “The TEXSOM competition is yet another piece of proof to that claim.”
Three wineries, Aurora Cellars, Good Harbor Vineyards and Soul Squeeze Cellars captured the Judges’ Selection award. It is the top award given to only about 3% of the winners. Only eight-percent of wines in the competition were awarded a gold medal, and nine area wineries received gold recognition. Three of the local wineries, Aurora, Shady Lane and Verterra, each received two gold awards. Traverse Wine Coast winemakers also secured 21 silver medals and 36 bronze medals.
“When you combine award-winning wines with the spectacular experiences and views at the wineries, the wine industry is a huge attraction to visitors in the region,” said Traverse City Tourism President, Trevor Tkach (Tah-koch).
TEXSOM has recognized top wines for over 30 years. The awards attract entries from around the world, including top wine-producing regions in France, Argentina, California and Italy. It’s considered a top competition due to a roster of over 70 international sommelier judges. Nearly 2,400 wines were entered into the competition.
The Traverse Wine Coast represents more than 40 local wineries along Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas in northwest Michigan. These wineries grow and bottle 60% of Michigan’s wine production.
The unique, glacially formed peninsulas are located on the 45th parallel with 105 miles of fresh water coasts from Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. The coastal waters protect and moderate the local climate providing warm days and cool autumn nights.
The climate is ideal for growing Vinifera grapes used in wine production. The locally grown Vinifera groups produce cool climate wines that are naturally acidic, balanced, structured and aromatic.
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