Michigan Wine

Michigan is a US state located in the centre of the northern US, bordered by Wisconsin to the west and Indiana to the south. Its north and eastern boundary is the international border between the USA and Canada across the lakes Superior and Huron. The state covers 65,500 square miles (170,000 square km) and stretches between the northern latitudes of 42 and 47 degrees.

Despite its relatively high latitude, Michigan is the fourth-largest grape-growing state in America, with more than 13,500 acres of vineyards. This is made possible in what would otherwise be a very cold climate by the 'lake effect' – the moderation of both winter lows and summer highs by the sheer volume of water in the Great Lakes.

Only one in ten vines in Michigan is wine bearing, with the majority of the state's acreage planted with varieties such as Concord and Niagara, used for table juice rather than wine. However, this small quantity is sufficient to supply about 50 wineries, whose vineyards are planted predominantly with well-known Vitis vinifera varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. There are also hybrid plantings here, including Chambourcin and Vignoles, although these have a much smaller representation than in the colder states to the west and south.

Michigan is home to four AVAs, all of which have been selected for their shoreside locations – as reflected by their names. Fennville was Michigan's first AVA, created in 1981, and occupies a south-western tranche of the state by the eastern shores of Lake Michigan. The Leelanau Peninsula followed six months late; it is on the same shoreline but 180 miles (290km) to the north. The much larger Lake Michigan Shore arrived in 1983, entirely encompassing Fennville, and now accounts for one half of Michigan's wine production. Finally, in 1987, the state's smallest AVA, Old Mission Peninsula, was inaugurated, covering 19200 acres (7770ha) at the very northern end of Lake Michigan's eastern shore, jutting into Grand Traverse Bay.