Maker: Verterra Winery, Leland, Michigan, USA
Grape: Merlot (at least 85%)
Style: Dry rosé.
Place of origin: Leelanau Peninsula AVA, Michigan, USA (at least 85%)
Vintage: 2019
ABV: 12%
Purchased for $24 (Michigan by the Bottle Tasting Room)
Appearance: Orangey pink.
Nose: Cedar, white cherry, crushed mulberry.
Palate: Medium bodied. Strawberry, watermelon, pink raspberry.
Finish: Dry and Tangy.
Parting words: Verterra’s walk-in tasting room in downtown (such as it is) Leland, Michigan might give the impression of a tourist trap at first impression, but this is a serious winery whose founder, Paul Hamelin, has a passion for pushing the limits of what Northwestern Michigan wine can be. In recently years, he has embarked on a project to make high quality dry varietal rosé (the Polar Vortex years of 2014 and 2015 gave him a bit of a push in this direction too).
He started with rosés of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, and then added a rosé of Merlot for the first time in 2019. They’re all delicious. This Merlot is as good as the Cab Franc, and probably even better. Riesling will always be king to me, but I think rosés like this are going to be a big part of the future of Michigan wine.
This ’20s are out already but there may still be some ’19s still hiding on the backs of shelves around the state. They’re worth seeking out. Verterra Rosé of Merlot, 2019 is recommended.
Sipology 