Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/867389
September 2017 WINES&VINES 71 WINE EAST WINEMAKING if at all, instead opting for oak bar- rel alternatives—but not chips, although Leigh Schmidt of Leigh's Garden Winery in Escanaba, Mich., adopted them seven years ago with his first Marquettes "We started with oak chips in the tank right after fermentation, and then we advanced to oak spi- rals," he said. "We generally use French medium-toast from the Barrel Mill in Minnesota. After the first year I had an idea of how many spirals to use. We like just a hint of oak." "It brings out some toasti- ness. We haven't been able to get caramel, but have been able to get vanilla." Schmidt said his customers in Michigan's Upper Peninsula enjoy Marquettes of varying sweet- ness—with no oak on the semi- sweet and sweet versions. He also eschews oak when he's blending Marquette with other varieties such as Maréchal Foch. Since he's making several ver- sions of Marquette, Schmidt said he decided to produce one batch of the 2016 in a Russian oak barrel with a medium toast, purchased from importer Brick Packaging in Traverse City, Mich. "In December, we'll take the wine out of there and make a deci- sion on the next barrels," he said, "and we'll use that barrel for our Frontenac next year." Oak staves are the order of the day at Parallel 44 in Ke- waunee, Wis., with some neutral barrels mixed in, owner Steve Johnson said. "In my corner of the world, we do not reach the same level of Brix as Minnesota or Iowa," he said. "So we're a little more light- handed with the oak. I would be afraid of using too much brand- new oak on Marquette." Johnson added that he uti- lizes oak "not for structure but for accent or flavor," and that the staves from ēvOAK in Napa, Calif., only stay in the tanks "six or eight weeks max." So far, he has made one exception: For his Vintner's Reserve blend (with Petite Pearl), "We did leave the Marquette in oak longer." The intent, he added: "Pie in the sky; GREAT Wine Grapes & Juice GREAT Winemaking Equipment & Supplies TINY PRICES $$$$$ BIGTIME SAVINGS You'll be amazed and pleased with the selection and prices. We guarantee it! Gino Pinto Inc. The Winemakers' Choice™ for almost 50 years! Go to WWW.GinoPinto.com Download our 227-page Winery Catalog WINERIES RACK UP Steve Johnson is co-owner of Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery in Kewaunee, Wis.