The Other 46

Although I still have a long path to travel to taste and experience the other 46 states, I often wonder what state will move into the highly sought after 5th spot behind the big 4?  I continue to read more and more about the growing wine industries in Virginia, Arizona, and Ohio.  Perhaps Michigan, Texas, [...]

Today’s stop along the New England wine trail is Chamard Vineyards, located in Clinton, Connecticut.  The state of Connecticut is home to 19 wineries joined by the Connecticut Wine Trail.  Situated in close proximity to the Long Island Sound on the Connecticut shoreline, the microclimate is ideal for growing European grapes.  Famous for Chardonnay and [...]

For the record, I’m not a big fan of PB&Js (a.k.a. peanut butter and jelly sandwich).  I enjoy peanut butter cookies, fudge, and candy bars, but usually not between two slices of bread with jelly.  In my thirty years, I can probably count the number of times I’ve had a PB&J on one hand.  So [...]

In celebration of Spring and the fourth annual Georgia Wine Highway Weekend, I finally had an excuse to open the Tiger Mountain Vineyards 2007 Malbec (a special thank you to Martha Ezzard, co-owner of Tiger Mountain Vineyards, who sent me a sample).  I’ve shared my excitement for Georgia wines in the past, and especially Tiger [...]

I’m going to switch gears tonight and talk about two recent wineries who have won their respective states Governor’s Cup for best overall wine.  The 2008 award went to Black Ankle Vineyards for their 2006 Bordeaux blend, Crumbling Rock.  Black Ankle Vineyards is a new, up and coming winery located in Mt. Airy, Maryland.  The [...]

Yes, you read the title correct, Minnesota wine!  Who knew!  Known more for extreme winters than wine, Minnesota is excelling at cold, hardy grape varieties like LaCrosse, St.Croix, and Frontenac.  Referred to as hybrids, these grapes are a cross between two or more Vitis vinifera (or more commonly referred to as the European grapes, e.g. Chardonnay, [...]

Today’s stop across the other 46 states is Sawtooth Winery, located in Nampa, Idaho, in the Snake River Valley AVA.  Idaho is that other state located in the Pacific Northwest, well suited for growing many different Vinifera varieties.  With 38 wineries to date and counting, the industry is thriving more than ever.  Typically known for [...]