I didn't know Joe Breidenstein, although we chatted briefly this year by email. Joe was the founder of the exciting Chef's Challenge, a spring event that challenges northern Michigan chefs against southern Michigan chefs to prepare amazing Michigan dining experiences using the best and freshest of Michigan's spring splendor. Due to too many book signings, [...]
Author Archives: Michigan Vine
Count on Chelsea Market for Michigan wines and foods
July 13, 2009 – 8:58 pm
Thank goodness for my local market in my adopted home town of Chelsea: The New Chelsea Market. While Polly's offers a very limited selection of Michigan wines (sweet, sweeter and the sweetest), I count on finding my favorite drier-style wines just a few blocks from home on the corner of Main Street and, ah, geez, [...]
Cherry Republic has new Charlevoix outpost
July 13, 2009 – 8:43 pm
I was so delighted to discover that Cherry Republic, based across-the-big-bay in Leelanau Peninsula, is now in my home town of Charlevoix. My girls, 13 and 5, and my hubby and I dove right into Cherry Republic's delicious samples. Our many take-homes included Cherry salsa, Cherry jam, Boomchuggalugga cherry soda and, my favorite, dark chocolate-covered [...]
Weathervane in Charlevoix
July 12, 2009 – 8:51 pm
I love visiting my home town of Charlevoix, especially when the weather is gorgeous, I'm with my family and I can spend quality time with my parents and long-time friends. On Saturday evening, my husband Kris and I spent a lovely evening with our good friends Lynn and Scotty Vollmer on the deck at the [...]
Vote for Winemaker Shawn Walters for Hot Dad
June 17, 2009 – 10:03 pm
Nominated by his two daughters, Shawn Walters, winemaker for several northern Michigan wineries, is in the top five "Hot Dads" for 106 KHQ's Hot Dad contest. Vote for Shawn by Friday, June 18.
Lime chips & Riesling
June 17, 2009 – 9:54 pm
Yes, I know… late night binging is never a good idea. However, when multiple writing projects need to be crossed off my to-do list (while piles of laundry stand like sentries in my living room on each side of my TV), indulging in my cravings just needs to be fulfilled. My perfect pairing? Tostitos (with [...]
Appealing Rieslings
June 16, 2009 – 10:52 pm
I definitely prefer my wines dry. For a long time, I resisted Rieslings, initially finding them to be too sweet for my taste. What a delight to find that Michigan winemakers are, indeed, making Rieslings that appeal to drier palates. A drier-tasting Riesling I just discovered is Chateau Grand Traverse's Late Harvest Riesling. Surprisingly, it's [...]
The hunt for the great morel
June 10, 2009 – 8:49 am
Morels are perhaps Michigan's tastiest mushrooms, as most mushroom lovers will agree. Morels can be found in most regions of the United States, but the Great Lakes region seems to be ideal – making Michigan, with its Great Lakes surrounding, quite the hot spot.Morels are most often found in the woods; and in Michigan, the [...]
New wine supports conservancy
June 10, 2009 – 8:47 am
Vintner Holly Balansag of Sandhill Crane Vineyards is carving a creative niche as one of only a handful of female winemakers in Michigan. Holly crafts traditional European varietals like Cabernet, as well as meads, ports and hard cider. Wines are made with fruits available in southern Michigan, including raspberries, blueberries, apples, honey and maple. "All [...]
Got caffeine?
May 28, 2009 – 5:46 pm
Visit Higher Grounds Trading Company in the Village of Grand Traverse Commons after wine tasting at neighbor Left Foot Charley. Higher Grounds brews 100% Fair Trade and Organic coffee. Interestingly, they have established relationships with small farming cooperatives that offer refined farming skills that aid in small-batch, drum roasting. Higher Grounds believes this provides you [...]
