Ah, March: the perfectly awkward time of the year when it’s not quite winter, but not quite spring. This is the season more fondly (or perhaps begrudgingly) referred to as the Spring of Deception. The month of March is when we Michiganders can expect 70 degrees and sunny skies one day, and then freezing temperatures and a snowstorm the next. Mother Nature’s fickle attitude is enough to give you whiplash, but luckily for us locals, we are surrounded by wineries with an abundance of top-tier wine to comfort us in this confusing time.
Despite our weather woes, the arrival of a new season has its perks; it’s a perfect time to try the new vintages of some of our most beloved wines.
2018 Arcturos Pinot Blanc
First, what is Pinot Blanc? Pinot Blanc is often overshadowed by its sister Pinot Gris, and as a result, many wine drinkers have never tried or even heard of this refreshing white wine. Pinot Blanc is a white grape mutation of Pinot Noir. It can produce medium to full-bodied wines with zingy acidity or a subtle creaminess depending on the vintage, wine-making techniques, and region of origin. Our 2018 Pinot Blanc has the grape’s classic markers: flavors of raw almond and mouth-watering pear sing on the palate, while aromatics of lemon zest and crushed gravel envelope the senses.
2019 Arcturos Sur Lie Chardonnay
According to our winemakers, this may be the perfect expression of Michigan Chardonnay. There is no oak used in the fermentation or aging, so what you have is the pure expression of fruit and soil in one of the great grapes of the world. The 2019 vintage is a well-balanced, medium-bodied white wine with citrus characteristics reminiscent of pineapple and lemon peel. Soft notes of honeysuckle and hints of flint give this wine unique and enticing aromatics. If you have never tried an unoaked Chardonnay, our 2019 Sur Lie is a fantastic place to start.
2019 Arcturos Dry Riesling
2019 was a good growing year for Riesling. This staff favorite has aromatics that delight the nose with notes of Meyer lemon, orange blossom, and peach. With its sky-high acidity, the flavors burst open on the palate like biting into a crisp, juicy green apple. A hint of salinity keeps this wine feeling clean and fresh with each sip. According to our winemakers, this vintage of Riesling is well-structured and has an aging potential of up to 10 years. It is truly a beautiful representation of Riesling’s versatility, drinkability, and age-ability!
2019 Arcturos Late Harvest Riesling
Year after year, this sweet white wine maintains its top spot as our bestseller, and for good reason. The Late Harvest Riesling has a smooth and balanced texture, with a richness that lingers just long enough in the finish. Aromas of white peach and ripe apricots tantalize the nose, while flavors of honey crisp apple ever so slightly punctuated with hints of lime tickle your tastebuds. Despite its level of sweetness, this Riesling finishes clean, leaving your palate feeling light and refreshed.
