It's getting close to the holiday season and we are thinking about all of the gifts to get for our family and friends. With impending gatherings we want to be gracious with our offerings. If you aren't asked to make or bring a dish, wine would be a great gift.
We all see those wine gift baskets with the California wines, the Italian prosecco or that wine with the Christmas tree label and think those are pretty cool, but what if you brought something more local and more unique? How about a Michigan wine? Michigan makes some award-winning wine that can go toe to toe with many of the quality wines of other regions in the world.
How do you make the wine selection for that perfect gift?
Typically you think red for the longevity and the ability to go well with hearty meals, or you choose a Chardonnay, not everyone is a fan, but someone will drink it? A sparkling wine is safe, but how do you know if it's going to be good? Why don't you try to take your host or recipient's taste in mind? The type of wine you chose will be well received and more likely to be enjoyed with others.
Red Wine:
If you know your recipient loves red wine or the meal you are attending will be hearty, a red wine will be your best bet. How do you pick a red wine?
The most widely loved red wine from Michigan is a Pinot Noir. These Pinot Noirs are versatile and can go with meals like Turkey, Ham and Roast Beef.
If you wanted to go a more traditional direction select a Merlot. Most people recognise the name and they know the flavor. It is a safe bet for those red wine lovers in your life. Michigan Merlot has a more fruit forward taste than other regions and will fit well with most meals.
You could go with a more Michigan unique grape like Marquette for those true red wine enthusiasts in your life. It can still pair well with those hearty meals and can potentially age for two more years depending on the vintage.
White Wine:
When you are thinking white wine, Chardonnay comes to the top of your mind, right? However, there are those people who LOVE it and there are those who can't stand it! If you know your gift recipient loves it, a Michigan Chardonnay would be an awesome new twist and taste for them. Perhaps, if you don't know, try an unoaked Chardonnay. Unoaked reduces all of those woody characteristics that an Oaked Chardonnay gives you.
The second most popular white wine is Pinot Grigio. A Pinot Grigio is the best bet for those white wine lovers in your life. No wood and more fruit makes for perfect Turkey and Ham pairings. This is a lighter wine that is widely available in Michigan. This wine will be a safe bet.
If you are looking to really impress your host or recipient a Michigan Riesling will be a hit! Rieslings come in Dry, Semi-Dry, Semi-Sweet, Late Harvest, Sweeter and Iced Wine, which is super sweet. A taste for everyone, this is one of the best and most award-winning white wines in Michigan. Compare a German Riesling with a Michigan Riesling and see which is better. This wine holds up to practically every dish and if you love spicy food like me, it will help cut the burn. Sometimes a sweeter wine will help settle your stomach from all of the festive cuisine.
If you want to be unique and bring something different, Michigan white blends can actually fit well and bring a cool story to the table. I personally love the white blends, which usually have unique names. They also usually have a fun story behind the wine too! When wine tasting I always ask how they came up with the name and most times, the stories are quite compeling! Share the story with your guests to instil a more personal connection to the wine they are drinking.
Rosé Wine:
If you can't decide between white or red and you want something that goes well with everything, why don't you try a rosé? Rosé is delicious and will bring some additional color to your meal. Michigan Rosé is a great addition to any meal but not a great gift. The only gift-worthy rosé would be a sparkling rosé.
Sparkling Wine:
We think of Sparkling Wine as a New Year's Eve thing, but a good bubbly can make a significant impact at any holiday meal and make a perfect gift. These wines come in an array of flavors and tastes, dry traditional sparkling wine, semi-dry, semi-sweet, and even sweet sparklers! If you are gifting a bubbly, a dry to semi-dry will be a perfect gift. If you know your recipient loves sweeter wine, try one of those! Your best bet for sparkling wine in Michigan is L. Mawby where they specialise in everything sparkling wine. Many other wineries in Michigan use L. Mawby as a model for their sparklers. A sparkling wine would be perfect for toasting a meal or holiday party. It is a tradition in some cultures to only toast with a sparkling wine. Until recently, I didn't think that a bubbly goes well with dessert, but It is actually very complimentary to the sweetness of your last portion!
If you need help finding a great gifting wine or wine for your holiday event, please reach out to me at mark@michiganwineguy.com and I can be the hero or your holiday!
Enjoy the season's festivities and be on the lookout for more Michigan wine related articles.