The new by-the-glass offerings at New York City’s trendy Scandinavian restaurant, Aquavit, aren’t from France, Chile or even Long Island. They’re from Michigan.
“After visiting family, I brought back a Riesling from [Michigan’s] Château Grand Traverse to taste blind with other New York sommeliers,” explains Michigan native and Aquavit beverage director Sean Kerby. “After they concluded it was a spätlese from Germany, I was convinced I was not the only one who recognized the quality of Michigan riesling.”
Since September, Aquavit has been pouring three wines from Michigan’s Old Mission Peninsula by the glass: Château Grand Traverse’s Whole Cluster Riesling ($12) and Gamay Reserve ($12), as well as a pinot blanc ($11) from Left Foot Charley. All three also are offered in a $12 Michigan wine flight; sales are brisk, according to Kerby.
