Psenkova Medals from the 2009 Tasters Guild International Wine Competition

Psenkova Meads have been available in Michigan for only two months now. At the reccommendation of our winemaker Shawn Walters we sent bottles of our Psenkova Cherry Mead and Psenkova Peach-Apricot Mead to enter into the 2009 Tasters Guild International Wine Competition. The Tasters Guild International, is a Wine and Food Appreciation Society based in Grand Rapids, Michigan with administrative offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Washington D.C.

The Tasters Guild announced last week the results of its Twenty-Second Annual International Wine Judging held at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

"Forty experienced judges from around the country completed over 2,100 evaluations of wine from 36 states/provinces and 13 countries on April 29-May 2, 2009. The judging panels were comprised of a carefully selected mix of winemakers, retailers, wine writers, restaurateurs, and knowledgeable consumers. As part of the total wine evaluation process, nearly 40% of the wines entered were randomly chosen for reevaluation to verify the accuracy and fairness of medal consideration." "By sponsoring this wine judging event, it is the objective of Tasters Guild to give the consumer a reference point in choosing good, quality wine values," explains Tasters Guild President, Joe Borrello. "Tasters Guild recommends any judging results or tasting evaluations be used only as an informational guide in establishing personal preferences. However, with our reevaluation procedure, we take extra precaution to appraise the wines as accurately as possible."

Both Psenkova Cherry Mead and Psenkova Peach-Apricot Mead took medals in the competition.

Lamb Dinner at Michael Symon's Lolita in Cleveland

Lamb at Lolita

Last week I came down to Cleveland to facilitate a Lamb Dinner at Michael Symon's Lolita in Cleveland's Tremont District. The dinner was planned with John and Sukey Jamison's Lamb farm located in Latrobe, PA. The Jamison Farm is one of the only farms in the country who raises lambs from infancy to processing all on their own farm. The lambs are grass fed only. Lolita uses Jamison lambs to create some spectacular dishes.

A lamb menu was prepared to pair our beers from Jolly Pumpkin and Leelanau Brewing Company as well as a dessert paired with Psenkova Cherry Mead. The phenomenal meal was as follows.

1st course:
Lamb Heart Terrine and Lamb Sausage
Paired with: 2008 and 2009 Leelanau Petoskey Pale Ale

2nd course:
Tortelloni with merguez sausage, ramp leaves and pea tendrils
Paired with: 2009 Leelanau Brewing Good Harbor Golden Ale

3rd course:
Gyro w/ hand cut fries
Paired with: 2009 Jolly Pumpkin La Roja

Beer course:
2009 Jolly Pumpkin Biere de Mars
French style stock ale

Dessert:
Sheeps milk ricotta dumplings w/ apricot jam and minted strawberries
Paired with: Psenkova Cherry Mead

Thanks to Lolita and to Jamison Farms for the great dinner!

Leelanau Rosé creates new award in the Pacific Rim Competition

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam - I will either find a way or make one

"A rosé (From French: rosé, ‘pinkish’) wine has some of the color typical of a red wine, but only enough to turn it pink. The pink color can range from a pale orange to a vivid near-purple, depending on the grapes and wine making techniques." from wikipedia

The Leelanau Peninsula has long been known for it's natural beauty and in the past few decades Michigan's Little Finger Peninsula has emerged as a world-class wine region. Leelanau County is a peninsula that lies directly on the 45th parallel and is unique as a wine growing region because it is surrounded by Lake Michigan. When our Psenka famly moved to Leelanau County there were only two wineries in the whole County. I've been told there could be around 30 Small Winemakers Licenses in Leelanau County Michigan by mid 2009.

Locally we've known our Leelanau wine is among the best in the world for many years already. Our beaches and sunsets are among the best in the world and thus it make sense that our wines are too. The essence and character of our magnificent peninsula is embodied by Leelanau County's famous veteran wine maker Shawn Walters. Having grown up with Shawn in Leland Michigan, it is a joy to work with my childhood friend. Shawn crafts Psenkova wines from scratch using locally grown ingredients. Shawn is the wine maker for all Psenkova wines, including our Psenkova Cherry Mead and Psenkova Peach Apricot. Shawn also makes all the Northern Natural Organics wines that Sleeping Bear Trading Company represents.

While those of us who are familiar with Shawn's wines know their quality; it is still nice when the rest of the world agrees..

Read below for a letter to Shawn Walters in response to his entry of a Leelanau County, Michigan USA Rosé to the 2009 Pacific Rim Wine Competition:

"Hi Shawn,
Congratulations!
Your Pinot Noir Rose, 2008, Leelanau Peninsula was awarded the Best Pacific Rim Rose Wine at the 2009 Pacific Rim Wine Competition last week.
Your wine certainly knocked the feet out from under the judges and caused a great stir. They were so impressed by your wine that we were forced for the first time ever, to create a Best Pacific Rim Rose Wine category. Beautiful wine!
About 2000 wines were entered by close to 400 wineries, we had 54 Rose and Blush wines. Your wine competed against all of the reds which totaled 954 entries. It came in second to the Grand Champion and the judges were so upset at the lack of a Best Rose Award that it was agreed we had to create one. You have made history.
Yolanda Daly, Director
Pacific Rim Wine Competition"

See the 2009 Pacific Rim Wine Grand Champions.

A magnificent accolade to add to Shawn's trophys as well as a solid signal to the world to watch the wines from Leelanau County Michigan as here to stay.

Congratulations Shawn!

Bruisin' Ales - Asheville, North Carolina USA

Earlier in the month I got a call from Psenkova winemaker Shawn Walters. Shawn and his family were on vacation in North Carolina for the week and he had visited a kick-ass beer store that he had to tell me about. In Asheville North Carolina, the store is called Brusin' Ales.

On our way to the All About Beer Magazine World Beer Festival we were able to stop by and visit this awesome store. Easily one of the coolest beer stores in the USA, Brusin' ales writes on their website:
"Bruisin' Ales, Asheville's renowned beer only store, boasts over 700 brews from around the world (and around the corner). This small, colorful boutique shop in the heart of downtown is a treasure trove for beer lovers—specializing in Belgians, Belgian-style, select American craft brews, and the very best from around the world. Here you'll find rare brews, exceptional seasonals, and other hard-to-find limited releases. The unique bottle shop set-up allows customers to "Mix-a-Six."

I met Jason Atallah, Owner and Manager behind the counter in the busy store. Their selection of Belgians was formidable as well as small craft selections from around the USA. I can't wait to visit again.