Mawby Blanc de Blancs

Mawby Blanc de Blancs is a Méthode Champenoise sparkling wine from Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula AVA, bottled at 11% ABV in a standard 750ml format. It earned 90 points from James Suckling in 2019 and took Silver at the 2019 Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships—rare recognition for an American sparkling wine outside of California.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11%  |  Origin: Leelanau Peninsula AVA, Michigan, USA  |  Style: Brut Blanc de Blancs  |  Winery: L. Mawby

Production & Heritage

L. Mawby operates in Suttons Bay on Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, a narrow stretch of land surrounded by the moderating waters of Lake Michigan. The Blanc de Blancs is produced using traditional method (Méthode Champenoise), with only the initial, gently pressed fractions of juice used for this cuvée—harder-pressed juice, which carries more phenols, tannins, and acids, is reserved for the winery's sweeter sparkling wines. The wine ages a minimum of 24 months en tirage before disgorgement and is finished with a Brut dosage of just 0.8% residual sugar. The blend is Chardonnay-dominant with a small proportion of Riesling, though some vintages have also included Pinot Gris.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Prominent autolytic character leads with toasted brioche and sourdough, giving way to Granny Smith apple, gooseberry, and lime pith. Pear and lemon round out a nose that signals serious time on lees.

Taste: The entry is crisp and zesty, with intense acidity framing flavors of lemon oil, lemon curd, and citron. At mid-palate, almond croissant and biscuit notes emerge alongside mineral undertones. The overall impression is lively and focused, with a bread-like richness that balances the bright citrus core.

Finish: Grapefruit zest opens the finish, transitioning into puff pastry, pine nut, and a subtle whisper of bitter lime. The finish is clean and light, with lingering minerality that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Mawby Blanc de Blancs

Serve well chilled between 40–45°F to highlight the wine's citrus brightness and autolytic complexity. A tulip-shaped sparkling wine glass concentrates the delicate aromas better than a wide coupe.

• French 75: The wine's brisk acidity and brioche notes complement the gin-and-lemon backbone without getting lost in the cocktail.
• Champagne Cocktail: A sugar cube and Angostura bitters draw out the toasted, biscuity character already present in this cuvée.
• Bellini: Its lean, mineral profile provides a drier, more structured alternative to the Prosecco traditionally used.

Best For

• Introducing someone to serious American sparkling wine beyond California
• Toasting a milestone celebration with a distinctive domestic Blanc de Blancs
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who values small-production, terroir-driven sparkling
• Pairing with a multi-course seafood dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mawby Blanc de Blancs taste like? It leads with zesty lemon and green apple, supported by toasty brioche and almond-croissant richness from extended lees aging. The finish is clean and dry, with grapefruit zest and a subtle mineral thread.

How does Mawby Blanc de Blancs compare to Blanc de Blancs Champagne? Multiple critics have noted that this wine competes directly with many Blanc de Blancs Champagnes, particularly in its autolytic complexity and acidity structure. The key differences are a slightly lower ABV at 11%, a touch of Riesling in the blend, and a price point well below most grower Champagne.

Is Mawby Blanc de Blancs good for sipping neat? Absolutely—its 24-month minimum lees aging and brut-level dosage of just 0.8% residual sugar give it enough complexity and dry character to stand on its own as an aperitif or alongside a meal.

Where is Mawby Blanc de Blancs made? It is produced by L. Mawby in Suttons Bay, Michigan, within the Leelanau Peninsula AVA. This small appellation sits on a peninsula bordered by Lake Michigan, whose waters moderate temperatures and extend the growing season for cool-climate varietals.

What foods pair well with Mawby Blanc de Blancs? Fresh oysters on the half shell mirror the wine's minerality and bright acidity. Smoked whitefish—a Michigan regional specialty—works well against the toasty lees character. Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert complement the brioche and almond notes. Sushi and sashimi align with the clean, citrus-driven palate. Lemon-herb roasted chicken provides enough richness to match the wine's weight without overwhelming its finesse.

What sizes does Mawby Blanc de Blancs come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Mawby Blanc de Blancs worth the price? It positions as a premium domestic sparkling wine that punches well above its tier, particularly given the traditional method production and extended lees aging. For drinkers seeking Champagne-level complexity from an American producer, it represents strong value.

Why Mawby Blanc de Blancs?

This is one of very few Michigan sparkling wines to earn recognition at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships, taking Silver in 2019 alongside a 90-point score from James Suckling the same year. The selective use of only the gentlest pressing fractions—a detail more commonly associated with top Champagne houses—gives the wine unusual purity and finesse for its price tier. At 11% ABV with less than 1% residual sugar, it delivers serious structure without heaviness. For anyone building a sparkling wine collection or simply looking beyond the usual French and Californian suspects, L. Mawby's Blanc de Blancs makes a compelling case for the Leelanau Peninsula as legitimate sparkling wine territory.