Friday Afternoon Winemaking Chores

Well, maybe not in the usual connotation of the word “chore!” 

This afternoon winemaker Brian Hosmer led a few of us staff members through a vertical tasting of Semi-Dry Riesling from 2009 and the yet to be released 2010 vintage, plus 07, 08, and unreleased 2010 Late Harvest Riesling. We were comparing the vintages to ensure the new 2010 blends are consistent with prior flavor profiles.   It was amazing to see how Riesling ages, the 2007 started to acquire a petrol character, common amongst aged Rieslings, in addition to maintaining great floral notes.  

The petrol character in a Riesling comes from a compound group called terpenes.  Terpenes are found mainly in the skins, and the concentration of each terpene accumulates as the grape ripens.  As 2007 was a very warm summer here on Old Mission Peninsula, the terpenes developed more quickly than other vintages in this Late Harvest Riesling.  So, after 3 years of aging, we are already tasting these characters.  The 2008 hadn’t quite reached this point yet in its ageing, but is expected to be able to live for up to 7 more years.  We expect the 2010 vintage to yield a very long aged wine, up to 10 years due to climate and ripening conditions that growing season. 

All the Late Harvest Riesling’s were picked at 21 brix, or the measurement of sugar in the juice of the grape.  It’s a fun learning experience to compare vintage variation given that constant harvest ripeness throughout the years.  Other elements such as acid levels come into play to make each vintage taste different from one another.  Here, we do what we can in the blending process to keep the style relatively similar from vintage to vintage. 

Look for the 2010 releases of the Semi-Dry Riesling and Late Harvest Riesling later this year!

On the Job Training at Chateau Chantal

The staff at Chateau Chantal was treated to a tasting led by winemakers Brian Hosmer and Mark Johnson earlier this week in our newly expanded cellar.  On tap were the wines from the 2010 vintage.  It’s amazing to see the progression of a wine- harvested this past October, most of the wines were still going through their “growing pains,” but you could certainly grasp what the end wine will taste like. 

We started with some white wines.  The 2010 Pinot Blanc is looking to be spectacular, as well as the 2010 Dry Reserve Riesling.  This reserve is from our original 1986 vineyard and is promising to be excellent.  We also tried what will be the 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling – lots of bright grapefruit in this vintage!  In the barrel room we tasted the Reserve Pinot Gris – a rich and luscious mouthfeel here making you want a full glass.  The Proprietor’s Reserve Chardonnay is showing excellently with ripe pear, tropical fruits, and just enough oak to provide added richness and nuttiness – absolutely delicious! 

We then tasted some reds – starting with three different vineyard’s Pinot Noir.  The Pontes, Hawthorne, and our own Estate vineyard.  It’s amazing to see the differences that site location, as well as vine clone, can make within the same vintage.  Each of these vineyards are located within 5 miles of each other, yet produce different styles of Pinot Noir.  The Pontes was more delicate with greater finesse, while the other two were more tannic and spicy.  Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cerise Noir were all well on their way to becoming great wines. 

Look for the 2010 vintage whites to be released this Spring!

Winemaker Brian Hosmer with Cold Stabilization Tank

Pinot Grigio Tank Sample

Pinot Grigio from the 92 Vineyard with Type of Yeast Listed

Amongst the Tanks

Brian & Brian at the Pinot Gris Barrel

Samples of Barrel Aged Pinot Noir

New Tasting Room Complete!

Our 1700 sq ft expansion to our tasting room is complete!  Come on in and experience the spacious bamboo topped bar and amazing East Grand Traverse Bay views!

Original Tasting Room from Front Door

New Tasting Room to the East

New patio to the south east

New Patio to the East

Kyle at the Original Bar

Chateau Chantal 09 Chardonnay “Best with Mac and Cheese”

The results are in, our bright and fruity 2009 Chateau Chantal Chardonnay pairs best with Mac & Cheese, as awarded at this past weekend’s Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula Mac & Cheese Bake Off!  The richness of a gourmet white Mac & Cheese is cut by the wonderful acidity found in our 09 vintage non-oaked Chardonnay.  The perfect marriage!

Check out Chicago’s WGN lunch time tv episode with local Traverse City chef Kevin Paveglio preparing his favorite mac & cheese recipe.

Check it out the video clip here

Cellar and Tasting Room Expansion

We’re approaching the finish line!  Look for a grand opening party early next season in our newly expanded tasting room, cellar, and outdoor patio!

New Cellar Entrance

Interior of New Cellar

View to the East from New Patio

Drywall Going Up in the Tasting Room

New Wines Released!

Virtue & Vice have made their debut!  The two wines were designed as companions to the best-selling reds, Naughty and Nice, which have undergone a label makeover to match their new “sister” wines.   Together, the four wines satisfy a range of palates from dry red to the sweet white, made in a very approachable style. 

The blended wines represent a continuation of the synergies between Chateau Chantal’s Michigan grown wines and their operations in Argentina.  Each wine is comprised of approximately 30% Argentine wine; red Malbec for Naughty & Nice, and white Torrontes for Virtue & Vice.  The combination of these varietals with the winery’s Michigan grown grapes provide unique aromatic properties that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a variety of dishes. 

Winemaker Brian Hosmer with the first bottles off the line

Choose Chateau Chantal’s four provocative wine blends to reflect today’s desires. Feeling Naughty or Nice? Want to indulge in your Virtue or Vice? 

Virtue is a dry, easy to drink, un-oaked white wine blend that expresses crisp fruit characters. Pair Virtue with fresh salads, white meat dishes, and all things pure of heart. Serve chilled.  $11.49  36% Torrontes, 34% Riesling, 22% Pinot Blanc, 8% Gewurztraminer, 1.5% residual sugar. 

Vice is a sweet, luxurious, unoaked white wine blend that expresses a plush, fruitful charm. Pair Vice with rich creamy cheeses, sweet fruit desserts, or other extravagances. Serve chilled.  $11.49  36% Torrontes, 34% Riesling, 22% Pinot Blanc, 8% Gewurztraminer, 6% residual sugar.

Naughty is a dry red blend with no harsh or bitter tastes and full of deep fruit flavors.  This red is even versatile enough to go well with fish – now that is Naughty! $11.49

 Nice is a semi-sweet, fruity red with delightful red berry characters.  Pair Nice with grilled foods & BBQ sauce, pasta and pizza. Serve slightly chilled.  $11.49

Winemaker Brian Hosmer with the first bottles off the line

Mike and Mic pose with the new wines

New Label Naughty & Nice, New Wines Virtue & Vice

First Bottles of Vice Coming Off Bottling Line

Harvest Time 2010!

Chateau Chantal is literally buzzing with excitement as we bring in the first grapes from the 2010 harvest.  It’s been a spectacular year in terms of the weather providing us what we need – lots of hot days and cool nights this summer brought our grapes to their optimal ripeness.  The quantity reports at this point are a little lower than last year due to early spring frosts, however, the quality is superb. 

We started at the hawthorne farm, about 5 miles north of Traverse City on Old Mission Peninsula.  From there, we machine harvested Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir.  Today we continued to pick Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from our estate vineyards.    We expect to harvest over the coming month – this year we have the luxury to take our time and harvest each varietal when it’s absolutely ready to be picked – instead of waiting to the last minute, trying to get grapes ripe like we encountered in 2009′s cool year. 

Enjoy the photos of this exciting time for us at Chateau Chantal!

Picked Pinot Noir

Mechanical Harvester Driven by Paul the Aussie

Pinot Noir Awaiting the Crusher

Helmut, the German intern, at the crusher

Chardonnay at Chateau Chantal