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We don’t often think of Michigan as a wine producing State do we, but look at the facts:

• Michigan has 13,500 acres of vineyards making Michigan the fourth largest grape-growing state.

• All of this acreage is devoted to juice grapes such as Concord and Niagara.

• About 1,500 acres are planted to wine grapes, making Michigan the eighth in wine grape production.

• Vineyard area has increased 24% since 1997.

• Michigan’s 45 commercial wineries produce more than 200,000 cases of wine annually, making the state 13th in wine production. The vast majority of production is from Michigan-grown grapes.

• Wineries are popular tourist destinations, attracting more than 600,000 visitors annually. Some of these wineries also have retail stores where it’s possible to purchase anything from a wine cellar kit to a wine cooler refrigerator.

• Wine production and winery tourism annually contribute $75 million to the state’s economy.

• Three types of grapes are used for wine in Michigan:

• • Vinifera varieties — these are the classic European varieties such as Chardonnay, Riesling (the most widely planted white), Pinot Noir (the most widely planted red), Pinot Grigio/Gris and Cabernet Franc; 58% of Michigan’s wine grapes are vinifera. Since 1998, 71% of the new plantings in Michigan have been vinifera varieties.

• • Hybrid varieties (sometimes called French/American hybrids) — these are botanical crosses between vinifera varieties and grapes native to North America. Common names are Vidal, Chambourcin, Marechal Foch and Vignoles; 39% of Michigan’s wine grapes are hybrids.

• • Native varieties — actually close relatives of true native varieties. Typical names are Concord and Niagara. A Mere 3% of Michigan’s wine is made from these varieties.

• The vast majority of Michigan’s quality wine grapes grow within 25 miles of Lake Michigan. Here, the “lake effect” protects the vines with snow in winter, retards bud break in spring helping avoid frost damage, and extends the growing season by up to four weeks.

• Michigan has deemed four federally approved viticultural areas (AVAs). In the northwest part of the state, near Traverse City, lie the Leelanau Peninsula and the Old Mission Peninsula. This area has a growing season averaging 145 days and an average heat accumulation of 2,350 growing degree days; 51% of Michigan’s wine grapes grow here. In the southwest part of the state are the Lake Michigan Shore and Fennville appellations, where 45% of Michigan’s wine grapes are grown. This area has a growing season of about 160 days and an average heat accumulation of 2,750 growing degree days. Each are Region 6 on the USDA plant hardiness zone map.

• Harvest begins for early hybrid varieties at the end of late August in the southwest and may extend into mid November for late-ripening vinifera varieties in the northwest.

• Michigan wines win numerous medals at prestigious competitions every year. More than 16% of the wines entered in the Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition had already won Gold Medals in regional, national and international competitions. A list of winners is available upon request.

• Michigan wineries make many styles of wine, from dry to sweet including Ice Wine, sparkling, fortified, fruit wines and eau-de-vie (fruit brandy).

• Michigan wines are usually “cool climate” – clean, crisp, balanced wines that exhibit real varietal charact.
• Michigan Wines are very popular choices in the offerings of Wine Clubs
  where you set up a monthly subscription to order wine online

Next time you’re savoring your favorite Chardonnay, check the label. It just may not have come from California!

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How To Choose A Bottle Of Champagne

The gift of a bottle of sparkling wine or champagne may possibly be more of a gift than most people realizes. The attention-grabbing news about champagne was brought to the medical community and citizens of the world in the year 2007 that champagne was discovered to contain many health benefits as well as tasting   extraordinary . A collaborate effort by the University of Cagliari and University of Reading that publicized the results of a very complex and interesting study the two universities had accomplished .Their data provided some support that sipping in moderate amounts of champagne might possibly assist a an adult to physically cope with an injury or trauma to the brain. Particularly the study delved brain trauma that was as a result of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and, or stroke.

The study was performed on mice using three divided groups of mice. The first mice group was given blanc de blancs (Chardonnay composition). Another mice grouping was given blank de noir (Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier based), and the final grouping of mice were used as the control group which were given no champagne. After much research the final results that were documented from this study demonstrated that the control group that was given to the champagne had better brain cell restoration judged against the non-champagne exposed mice. The researchers established that the high amounts of antioxidant polyphenols in the champagne or sparkling wine aided in thwart injury to brain cells that were due to oxidative stress or sever inflammation.

The Powerful Punch Of Antioxidant

If you are a red wine drinker you have probably heard of the term polyphenol, and even if you do not drink wine the name may sound familiar as it has been in the news quite frequently. In particular red grapes have been noted to have the highest levels of the natural polyphenol, and are derived from grape tannins and anthocyanin pigments. These natural polyphenol and you can be found in the health food supplements that go by the name in supplements available to buy called Resveratrol These natural polyphenol have been called the most powerful antioxidants in the world . The high level Resveratrol has been noted to offer potent anti-viral, cancer preventive, radio-protective, and anti-fungal properties.

However, the 2007 study and more recent research show that the sparkling wine or champagne contained higher quantity of extra types of polyphenol named caffeic acid and tyrosol. These extra substances are believed to supply not simply antioxidant benefits, but anti inflammatory benefits to the brain as well. These amazing polyphenols, can also change the properties of blood lipids making LDL-cholesterol more resistant to the sort of oxidation that can trigger atherosclerosis (harding of the arteries), and coronary heart disease. So now you have amazing health benefits for both your brain and your heart.Studies are continuing with champagne alluding to the promise of offering anti aging properties too .

The extravagance of a bottle of champagne from France has been rooted in in the special or unique periods of one’s life, but with the fascinating studies about champagne that are ongoing ; who knew that giving the gift of champagne is so much more than anyone ever imagined it to be.

Who knew that the lush tones and the bubbles that float elegantly up the glass could possibly bring great health benefits to the ones you love .

Send The Gift Health With A Bottle Of Champagne

Now there is a reason to celebrate, so send a delectable bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée, Gosset Grande Réserve, Moët & Chandon Nectar Imperial Champagne, Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial , A Carpentier Brut Champagne, Andre Carpentier Champagne, Billecart Salmon Champagne, Bollinger Special Cuvée, Charles Heidsieck Champagne, de Venoge Champagne, Etienne Dumont Champagne, Louis Roederer Champagne , or perhaps a whole case, and share good health as well best wishes and love .

www.bestchampagnedelivery.com

Don’t forget to raise your glass of champagne as well!

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If you’re serious about your wines you have probably joined a wine club. If you are a wine club member you can be assured you will have frequent wine spills, and the following information will be valuable for you

Nothing strikes fear and dread into the heart of any spot-fearing individual than a red wine stain. This classic spot has ruined more than one garment. It has been the cause of dread for homeowners who own light-colored carpeting and it has left many smiles dingy-purple.

Not every wine stain is red. You might find yourself wondering how do I get rid of a white wine stain as well. The initial step is to apply cold water on the affected area. This must to be done as quickly as possible. These types of spills usually occur during a special occasion like a party and you may feel a bit rude, but it is crucial to get that cold water to the wine spot as soon as you possibly can in order to assure that it will be removed promptly.

If the white stain is on clothing or other material that can be turned inside out, pour the water from the back of the area instead of the front. Of course, this approach can’t be used on most carpets so pouring from the top is the only option for these materials. However, a blouse should be turned inside out when addressing the area.

Step two in the white wine stain removal process is to rub the fabric with a powdered laundry detergent. After applying the laundry detergent, let the fabric stand for about five to ten minutes. Dish detergent will work very well with this, too. If you are looking at a white wine stain on a rug, it is best to use a carpet spot cleaner. These can be found at your local grocery store very easily but it is always a good idea to keep some on hand for just such an emergency.

If the wine stain is still visible then let the fabric soak in cold water for at least thirty minutes. This can be quite inconvenient but it is a must if you want to save the garment. Wash the fabric as you normally would after the soak but be sure to look for the wine stain before putting the garment into the dryer. If the spot is still visible, use a laundry stain remover and rewash the item.

Your rug may need to be professionally cleaned if the white wine stain is still prevalent after a few hours. This professional cleaning should be completed as soon as possible to assure that the white wine stain will be removed completely.

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Red wine has become quite popular these days. Health conscious people are more inclined to drink dry red wine than any other types of alcoholic beverages because red wine is said to be good for the heart. Studies show that red wine has components that help unclog the arteries leading to the heart and that people who drink wine are more likely to live longer than those people who do not drink at all. Of course these claims that red wine can prolong life are still debatable but that is beside the point. Even if wine does not prolong life, the fact that this type of wine goes well with lots of things at dinner that is good enough for most people.

Red Wine And Cheese

Many people love to serve red wine with certain types of cheese. experts says that some types of cheese bring out the flavor of certain types of red wines. If you are one of those people who love to drink wine after dinner, try drinking your wine with some cheese.

Red Wine And Good Conversations

Wine can help you unwind and have fun with your friends after a long stressful day at the office. According to experts, a glass of red wine and a lot of good conversation at the dinner table can help reduce the risk of hypertension.

Red Wine And Good Food

A lot of people swear that their dinner is never complete without a glass of wine. No, these people are not teetotalers. Just because some people love to drink wine that does not mean that they are teetotalers or something like that. One can always enjoy wine at home without getting drunk. The Europeans are mostly known for drinking wine before and after dinner. There are also a lot of Americans who like to have wine after eating a heavy meal. Red wine goes especially well with pasta or meat based food while white goes well with light dinner and vegetable based food. To have more joy make wine part of dinner. Just make sure that you do not drive if you drink more than the required alcohol limits for drivers. You don’t really want to end up on the wrong side of the law because you have high levels of alcohol in your blood. If you must drink more than the allowed level of alcohol, you might as well ask someone else to drive you home.

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