Maker: Left Foot Charley, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Place of origin: Island View Orchard, Old Mission Peninsula AVA, Traverse City, Michigan, USA.
Grape: Kerner (at least 85%).
Vintage: 2020.
ABV: 13.3%
Purchased for $25 (Michigan by the Bottle, Auburn Hills, Michigan)
Appearance: Light gold.
Nose: Canned pear, thyme, golden apple.
Palate: Green apples, gravel, touch of leather.
Finish: Medium tart. pear, white pepper.
Parting words: Kerner is a grape that is not widely grown outside of Germany and Northern Italy. It is a newer vinifera variety, first released to the grape-growing public in 1969, the result of a cross between Trollinger (a red wine grape) and Riesling, both of which are pretty old varieties.
Anyhow, I like this grape a lot, especially in this dry style. Kerner isn’t as complex as a top tier Riesling, but it’s aromatic enough and easier to grow than its parent. I could see it doing well in white blends as well, but it’s already well-balanced on its own.
Anyway, I hope we see more Michigan Kerner in the future. Left Foot Charley’s is recommended.
Sipology 