The Other 46 » American Viticultural Area http://theother46.com The Internet's top source for local wine news, commentary and reviews from the other 46 states. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:34:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Caution, High Altitude Ahead http://theother46.com/2009/11/15/caution-high-altitude-ahead/ http://theother46.com/2009/11/15/caution-high-altitude-ahead/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:10:16 +0000 Brian Kirby http://theother46.com/?p=3147 With elevations ranging from 4000 to 7000 feet above sea level, Colorado’s vineyards are among the highest in the world.  The continental climate (warm days + cool nights + low humidity) creates ideal conditions for the cultivation of grapes required to produce premium wines.  Home to 2 designated American Viticultural Areas, Grand Valley and West Elks, Colorado has a thriving wine industry with more than 60 wineries throughout the state.

The Grand Valley AVA, the largest and oldest AVA in Colorado, is the birthplace of Colorado’s resurgent wine industry and home to more than a dozen wineries.  Located just west of Grand Junction, the AVA includes some of the highest vineyards in North America, averaging 4700 square feet.  Grapes receive almost 300 days of intense sun, combined with warm, dry days and cool nights, resulting in intense flavors and balanced wines.

The highest altitude vineyards in the northern hemisphere exist in the West Elks AVA.  Created in 2001, the AVA includes 10 wineries stretched across a 75-acre area just east of Paonia to the west of Hotchkiss.  Similar to the Alsace region in France, the West Elks AVA is producing quality Gewürztraminer and Rieslings, followed by Pinot Noir.

This week I will highlight some of Colorado’s best wineries including Canyon Wind Cellars, Garfield Estates Vineyard and Winery, and Allis Ranch Winery.  I invite you along to see why the wine industry is becoming serious business in Colorado.  Cheers!

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]]> http://theother46.com/2009/11/15/caution-high-altitude-ahead/feed/ 5 Upper Mississippi River Valley AVA http://theother46.com/2009/08/06/upper-mississippi-river-valley-ava/ http://theother46.com/2009/08/06/upper-mississippi-river-valley-ava/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:15:31 +0000 Brian Kirby http://theother46.com/?p=2184 The Upper Mississippi River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) officially became the world’s largest designated appellation on July 22nd.  Encompassing 29,914 square miles along the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries in northeast Iowa, northwest Illinois, southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin, the AVA unseats the 26,000-square-mile Ohio River Valley AVA.

Though the region is big, the wine industry there is small and growing. Tabor estimates there are about 50 wineries and maybe just 400 acres of vineyards. The Napa Valley’s way ahead there. Though only about 9 percent of the area is planted in vines, that still amounts to 45,000 acres.

To read the complete article, click here.

]]> http://theother46.com/2009/08/06/upper-mississippi-river-valley-ava/feed/ 0 North Carolina On The Rise http://theother46.com/2009/04/19/north-carolina-on-the-rise/ http://theother46.com/2009/04/19/north-carolina-on-the-rise/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:16:33 +0000 Brian Kirby http://theother46.com/?p=1131 On April 29th, North Carolina will welcome Haw River Valley as the states 3rd designated grape growing region, joining Swan Creek and Yadkin Valley.  Located in the northern and central portion of the state, the Haw River Valley AVA encompasses approximately 868 sq. miles (555,508 acres).  The area presently includes 6 wineries and over 10 vineyards.

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