Michigan 101

The Best Michigan Wine Course

Experience the beauty of Michigan's vineyards and taste wines that reflect the unique terroir and climate of this captivating region.

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Discover Michigan Wine

Wine lovers, it's time to broaden your horizons with an online adventure – a comprehensive course dedicated to the cool climate hero of the mid-west - Michigan! Surrounded by the Great Lakes, and a wine history going back 300 years, this beautiful state is cool in both senses of the word.

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Trusted By Over 20,000 Students

I learned a lot and can't wait to try some of the wines that were recommended.

Gustavo M.

I have a lot to learn, but I appreciate the friendly and approachable good start, thank you!

Maggie E.

I really appreciate how the information, which was rich and nuanced, was also super-digestible.

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Michigan 101

What You'll Learn

Plunge into 6 comprehensive sections of Michigan wine country education, then master a 50-question quiz to earn your certificate, perfect for sharing on your social networks.

History

With a winemaking history going back 300 years to the first French explorers, Michigan has a deep-rooted winemaking tradition that was influenced by Cadillac.

Grapes

Michigan is celebrated for its cool climate varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, showcasing over 50 unique wine varieties that thrive in the region's diverse microclimates.

Terroir

Learn how Michigan’s glacial soils and Great Lakes influence create special conditions that result in distinct wine characteristics that you can see and taste in the glass.

Regions

Explore the five key AVAs (American Viticulture Areas) of Michigan, including the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula, and Lake Michigan Shore. Discover what makes each wine region unique and what wines excel in each area.

Buying

Learn to expertly navigate Michigan's wines and vintages and find alternatives to some of the better know grape varieties.

Tasting

Experience the diversity of Michigan as Master of Wine, Christine Marsiglio, tastes through 6 different wines from this cool-climate state.

Certification Exam

Ace the 50-question quiz finale and score your Michigan Wine Certificate.

Course Wines

Get to know Michigan's Wines

Riesling

Riesling, Michigan's most planted grape, thrives in its cool climate and withstands harsh winters, benefiting from the Lake Effect and extended autumn to develop complex flavors and maintain high acidity.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay ranks as Michigan's second most prevalent grape, flourishing in its cool climate to produce both oaked and unoaked wines, as well as sparkling wines.

Pinot Grigio

Michigan's third most planted grape variety excels in the state's cooler climates, mirroring the conditions of its Northern Italian and Alsatian origins.