Comments on: Ohio vs Michigan Wine Clash 2009 Results

By: Andrew Hall

Andrew Hall — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:59:20 +0000

None of the MI wines are available for sale in Ohio.

They are not banned. No distributor is interested in carrying them and most of the wineries are able to sell out their wines at the cellar door so they do not seek out distribution.

Meranda-Nixon had a lower price for the previous vintage of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The ’07 in the competition is sold out and I suspect the release of the ’08 will see the same pricing. They currently do have out the ’08 Cabernet Franc which is a good wine.

By: catnfiddle

catnfiddle — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:39:36 +0000

Are any of the winning Michigan wines going to be available for tasting, or are they banned in Ohio like last year’s winners?

By: Rockmastermike

Rockmastermike — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:22:01 +0000

yes. IMHO Kinkead Ridge is a real bargain.

I also really enjoy Meranda-Nixon’s lower priced cab which has become our go-to pizza wine at Spagio Cellars. It was good to see one of their wines on the standings.

By: Andrew Hall

Andrew Hall — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:05:16 +0000

PS –

While Michigan was the winner, it should be noted that the top Ohio wine (Kinkead Ridge Cabernet Franc 2007) is half the price of the next-lowest priced Top 5 wine.

By: Andrew Hall

Andrew Hall — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:03:55 +0000

I wanted the Brys Artisan CF, but they were stone dry on it for any price. I wanted the Signature CF, but I think they were out of it as well. They chose Artisan Pinot. We always run into a tension between the truly best wines (which sell out quickly) and featuring wines which consumers will be able to buy after the Clash.

The red wines were strong across board as 2007 was an ideal year in both states. It is not that the Brys was poor – the other reds were really that strong. I felt the Brys was a very nice wine (and I liked the Signature Pinot when I had it earlier this year) but I am not a judge. My individual notes as well as judges’ notes will be up on the site over the weekend.

The judging event is a private event, thus the lack of publicity in advance. Ideally, restaurants, wineries, retailers and consumers will use the information from the event. We do hope to have a public event featuring the Ohio winners coming up. Next year, we will work on some more public events.

@Dru Send me a PM with your email address and I will add you to my list. My judges are an array of professionals and amateurs.

Thanks for the feedback!

By: dru

dru — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:21:36 +0000

Bear – thanks for the clarification. I was seeing that it was on the lower end of a relatively good pack – aka I noticed that St Julian didn’t have an entry and there was no rhubarb wine. The ability to focus on quality shows the direction regional wines are heading.

By: Bear

Bear — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:15:08 +0000

Dru — one quick note, “low” is relative: the 2008 Clash had far more wines (and more exhausted judges). Had there been as many this year, Brys would probably have placed middle of the pack; and had this been one of the big statewide tastings it’d be one of the very top wines. Other points, I’ll let Andrew speak to, but I thought that one should be emphasized.

By: dru

dru — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:01:15 +0000

Andrew – i realize it’s past for this year. but did this get much advertising (perhaps it did and I missed it). The in-laws are located up on the Old Mission Peninsula (2 Lads, Black Star, Brys, Bower’s Harbor, etc…) and thus we are quite the fans of wine from the Traverse City area and always have several bottles on hand.

i’m sad that Brys placed so low, but found the choice not to be the best representation. I think Coenraad can work with Pinot the best up there (2005, 2007 non-artisan in particular). But think that from the 2007 Artisan series, Cab Franc and Merlot really outshined the PG. Sadly the past 2 summers have been cool and expectations for reds are low. All that is to say, I’d like get involved in this for 2010, at least as a (drinking) spectator.

By: Bear

Bear — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:55:31 +0000

Indeed. Well done!

By: Rockmastermike

Rockmastermike — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:27:35 +0000

“The real winners are the consumers of Michigan and Ohio who have an array of quality local wines to enjoy.”

And that, apart from giving these wineries the recognition they so richly deserve, is for me the best part of this awesome event!