(TRAVERSE CITY, Mich) – Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, was recently decorated with three bronze medals at the esteemed International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), held May 18 in London, England.
Awards were presented for the 2008 Gewurztraminer, 2007 Dry Ice Icewine and 2007 Artisan Pinot Noir – the first ever medal for a Michigan red wine. “These awards are not only good for Brys Estate, but also for the recognition of Michigan wines overall,” says Walter Brys. “This shows that Michigan wines can compete on the world stage, and win!”
This year, IWSC received more than 7000 entries from 80 countries – including the United States. Only 86 medals were awarded to red wines from the United States; just 70 medals were awarded to American white wines. Founded in 1969, the IWSC is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. This standard is achieved through a rigorous two-stage judging process of professional blind tasting and detailed technical (chemical and microbiological) analysis that takes place at The Competition’s headquarters in Surrey, UK. To ensure perfect conditions, the premises include temperature-controlled cellars, a fully equipped independent laboratory for technical analysis, and three dedicated tasting rooms.
Brys Estate Medal Winning Wine Details: · The 2008 Gewurztraminer shows flower aromatics, with bursts of tropical fruit. It is very elegantly floral and one of the best examples produced in Michigan. This wine is a must for any Gewurztraminer lover, pairing well with Thai food or any spicy dish, as well as sweet curry or sushi with wasabi. It is also the perfect white wine for Thanksgiving dinner.
· Crafted with Riesling grapes, the 2007 Dry Ice Icewine boasts an alcohol content of 13.9% and has a lower residual sugar content of 6.7%, setting it apart from other ice wines. This wine shows classic varietal character with hints of grapefruit, apricot, pineapple and passion fruit. With its good acid/sugar balance, the wine drinks smoothly and will age beautifully over time. Described as liquid gold, this wine is a great alternative to other traditional after dinner drinks and pairs well with crème brulee and traditional cheesecake or pound cake with fresh fruit.
· The Brys Estate Artisan series of wines was created to bring wine lovers the highest quality that each varietal has to offer. Using 90% gravity flow and no filtration, these wines – including the 2007 Artisan Pinot Noir – showcase the highest complexities of aroma and mouth feel. This Pinot Noir is complex and full-bodied, with much to offer in the way of plum, cherry and spice, with endless mouth feel and a silky finish. This wine has exceptional aging potential and pairs well with an array of foods, from richer poultry and simple turkey dishes, to entrees featuring pork, beef, smoked salmon and lamb.
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery is centrally located in the heart of the Old Mission Peninsula – situated on 80 acres with breathtaking views of East Grand Traverse Bay – in Traverse City, Michigan. This boutique winery began with the planting of 32 acres of European vinifera grapes in 2001 and opened the tasting room in May of 2005. Using the highest quality standards, Brys hand picks its grapes and hand crafts its small batch, single vineyard wines, giving attention to detail during the crushing, fermenting, aging and bottling process. You are invited to visit Brys Estate’s 1500-square-foot- old world-style tasting room this summer to help celebrate their fifth anniversary in producing award-winning estate wines.
