Wills Winery wins again

We’ve been following the progress at Wills Winery in Lapeer since it began in 2004 as a franchise make-your-own wine shop. Located then in downtown Lapeer, it began attracting customers who wanted the wine-making experience and the opportunity to take home their own blends.

But Sue and Bill Wills wanted to do more, so in Fall 2005 they dropped the franchise and went out on their own. They wanted to produce a line of wines unlike others currently available, so they began experimenting with new and novel ideas, and the results have been astounding.

Last year we reported that they had won a gold medal at the Tasters Guild International Wine Competition for their Chocolate Raspberry Red — an amazing achievement for a new winery entering its first competition. Naturally, they were thrilled, and it only encouraged them to create more new and exciting wine specialties. This year they entered three new wines and were among 2,014 wines entered from 35 states and 15 countries. Pretty heady competition! And all three Wills wines won medals.

Based on the model they created with the gold-medal Chocolate Raspberry Red, they changed the formula and came up with a Chocolate Cherry Red that is just as yummy as its predecessor.

Sue likes to describe the Chocolate Cherry Red as being just like her favorite candy — chocolate-covered cherries. And a taste will certainly have you reminiscing about the times you’ve enjoyed these treats. The wine is Merlot-based, with the added chocolate and cherry flavors at the usual 12 percent alcohol and at about 12 percent residual sugar, so it is somewhat sweet but not cloying. You could serve it as a dessert all unto itself, but it would also complement a Black Forest cherry chocolate cake or cherry Danish. Tasters Guild awarded this wine a bronze medal.

Their new, slightly pink blush wine is called White Amethyst, and if you like White Merlot or White Zinfandel, this wine is for you. The wine is first produced as a white wine, then a touch of Merlot concentrate is added to pink it up and add flavor. It’s a delightful table wine with only 8 percent residual sugar, and would be just the wine to serve with a ham or pork roast dinner; slightly sweet but not overpowering. This wine also was awarded a bronze medal.

The new Cranberry-Raspberry Red starts out as a blend of Shiraz and White Zinfandel, but then the cranberry and raspberry flavors are added and you end up with a crisp, zingy cranberry flavor with the raspberry sweetness that makes this wine unique. With 16 percent residual sugar, this is decidedly a dessert wine, great on its own but even better with a rich cheesecake with raspberry topping. Can’t think of a better way to end a great meal than with such a pairing. This wine also won a bronze medal.

If you haven’t yet visited Wills Winery at its new location on M-24 across from E.G. Nick’s Restaurant, make a point to do so. You’ll be treated to some very interesting and delightful wines. They’d love to have you drop in for a tasting.

Dave’s Picks:
Wills Winery Chocolate Cherry Red, $12.50;
Wills Winery White Amethyst, $11.50; and
Wills Winery Cranberry-Raspberry Red, $10, at the winery.
The Wills Winery Gold Medal Chocolate Raspberry Red is now in distribution and available at selected retailers.

Dave Ethridge is a nationally known wine writer, certified wine judge, and the Director of the Lapeer Chapter of Tasters Guild International.