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Winery: Wilhelm Bergmann
Brand/Type: Bernakasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling Kabinett
Vintage: 2004
Country: Germany
Region: Mosel Saar Ruwer
Alcohol content: 9.5%
Closure: Natural Cork
Appearance: Pale blonde
Aroma/Bouquet: Light floral, citrus and pear

This is a classic German Kabinett that starts off lightly sweet and transforms to a rewarding complex finish that is full of fruity flavors. Has a slightly tart (citrus) element that fends off any undue sweetness. This wine has an Auslese like initial taste with a solid and genuine Kabinett body.

Winery: Good Harbor
Brand/Type: Pinot Grigio
Vintage: 2005
Country: USA
Region: Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan
Alcohol content: 12%
Closure: Natural Cork
Appearance: Light blonde
Aroma/Bouquet: Light, lemony-citrus and pear, hint of melon

This is another one of Good harbors delightful offerings. It is a crisp and light Pinot Grigio that you could drink alone but goes oh so well with fish. This wine pairs very well with grilled salmon, swordfish, or tuna. Probably too delicate for any fried fish. It is also well suited for robust salads.

For a Pinot Grigio, this has a very light citrus-pear bouquet with just a faint hint of melon. Not as complex to the palate as Good Harbor’s Trillium but very nice and it makes a great wine for hot summer evenings. If you prefer a Pinot Grigio with less bite, but not watered down, this wine is for you.

Winery: Mon Ami
Brand/Type: “American” Riesling
Vintage: 2004
Country: USA
Region: Catawba Island, Ohio
Alcohol content: 11.5%
Closure: Synthetic Cork
Appearance: Pale straw
Aroma/Bouquet: Pleasant, mild fruity bouquet

Semi-sweet. Similar to a German Auslese but not as complex. This wine tends to grow better as it has a chance to warm or settle in to your glass. The initial taste is sweet which yields to a tart apricot and melon flavor with a hint of tangerine. Having sampled this on three separate occasions, the sweetness seems to vary from bottle to bottle.

Mon Ami is a staple of the Catawba region of Ohio. The winery dates back to 1870 and has an interesting winery including a very fine restaurant on premise. Wine tasting is available on site as well.

This is a nice low price wine that won’t disappoint those whose palates run on the sweeter preference.

Winery: Good Harbor
Brand/Type: Trillium – Dry table white
Vintage: 2005
Country: USA
Region: Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan
Alcohol content: 11.5%
Closure: Natural Cork
Appearance: Pale blonde, almost clear
Aroma/Bouquet: Light, mild apricot-ish

Good Harbor Vineyards produces a nice variety of wines of which encompasses a broad spectrum of varieties. Trillium is described by Good Harbor as being their semi-dry white table wine. Good Harbor claims to use a blend of blend of Riesling, Vignoles and Seyval grapes in making this blended wine. I would place this wine somewhere between a Vouvray and a non-Oaked Chardonnay. Very drinkable alone and well matched with Italian or Asian cuisine. One could probably find a good match with a blackened tuna or garlic shrimp as well.

Trillium has a slight apricot to dandelion bouquet. Again almost resembling a non-oaked chardonnay but far more complex. In some ways it has an initial Vouvray taste but it tends to lean more toward a Spanish white in bite. Good Harbor has indeed created a complex white that is quite a treat and well worth seeking out. And like most Michigan wines, you won’t go broke either.