Tastemakers: Cormack‘s/Shady Lane

April 25, 2007

Cormack’s Chicken
Salad Sandwich

Many Petoskey residents are happy that Cormack’s Deli has opened its doors again after a well-deserved Spring Break. Celebrating their 31st year in business, Cormack’s offers an eclectic mix of lunch, dinner, and dessert items, which include daily homemade soups, an impressive list of sandwiches including every type of meat or vegetable you could imagine, ‘heat and serve’ meat pies, quiches, spaghetti pies, cabbage rolls, fruit pies, meat & cheese trays, cheesecakes, brownies, cookies, puddings, party subs, muffins, breads, and Katie’s specialty cakes. Walking through the door, one is met with a very bright, warm ambience, newly painted peach colored walls, paintings, and delectable food aromas ....comparable to being in a European deli/cafe, with the added benefit of Little Traverse Bay views out every window.
A recent trip to Cormack’s yielded a chicken salad sandwich on a thick slice of freshly baked sunflower seed bread with a tempting mixture of huge chicken chunks and just the right amount of pineapple, topped with shredded lettuce and a tomato slice. Wow! They have surely perfected THAT recipe! Of note, sandwiches have multiple bread options, and may be priced at either sandwich or sub varieties.
Cormack’s also offers specialty deli items which include multiple Wind Willow cheese balls and dips, and Cugino’s soup and ‘dipz’ mixes. They’ve also added t-shirts and hats to their inventory in multiple colors. Located at 2569 Charlevoix Ave., Cormack’s is open Monday - Friday, 9:30am-6pm. You may also check out their menu at www.cormacksdeli.com or call ahead to order for easy pick-up on your way home from work or play. (231) 347-7570.

Shady Lane Cellars 2005
Late Harvest Vignoles
Michigan Wine Month winds down at the end of April, but one’s pursuit of wines from this state should not. Michigan—in particular the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas—has proved itself on the world tasting stage, hauling in several major awards at international wine competitions. Many of the top wine critics have made their way to Northern Michigan and raved over the world-class wines being made here. We conclude our look at Michigan’s federally-designated viticulture regions (AVA) with the Leelanau Peninsula (for a look at what else is happening in Northern Michigan, see the Pleasantview Vineyards article in this issue).
Leelanau Peninsula boasts 15 wineries with five to eight wineries expected to open in the next few years. The roots of the wine industry go back to the mid-’60s when Bernie Rink (Boskydel Vineyards) began experimenting with grapes. Rink found that French-hybrids were best at handling the hearty winters. Now, his colleagues have proven vinifera (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir) that also do well on the Leelanau Peninsula. Winemaker Adam Satchwell of Shady Lane Cellars is winning awards with his vinifera offerings - in particular his Semi-Dry Riesling - but Satchwell also has a winner on his hands with his 2005 Late Harvest Vignoles.
While Riesling gets all the hype for late harvest or ice wine styles, Vignoles (a French hybrid) has proven itself a notable challenger. Like Riesling, Vignoles (my favorite white cooking wine) may be enjoyed dry (early harvest) or sweet (late harvest). Satchwell left a few rows to be harvested late (December 16, 2005), capturing maximum sweetness and giving his Vingoles the characteristics of ice wine. Look for tropical fruit flavors with hints of apricots and peaches.
Enjoy in small portions (two ounces) and pair with Stilton cheese before dinner, or enjoy after dinner with tart fruit desserts. At the winery tasting room they pair it with Cherry Almond Biscotti from Bay Bread in Traverse City.
A visit to Shady Lane (10 miles north of Traverse City) is a must as Cindy Curley and her staff are friendly and knowledgeable. For more on Shady Lane Cellars visit www.shadylanecellars.com, and to learn about the other wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula visit www.lpwines.com.