Midwest Wines Worth the Risk Taking

One of the toughest things about wine is not knowing what you're going to get, whether or not you're going to like it and still having to fork over (sometimes a lot of) your money for it. It's the reason we're less likely to buy wine from a region or grape foreign to us. This is also the beauty of drinking wine. Consider the Midwestern wines below (from my SwirlSavvy wine column for the Chicago Sun-Times) a little adventure for your palate.

Eating locally or regionally sourced food, be it cheese, milk, fruits and vegetables or meat, has become an incredibly popular movement for good reason. Fewer chemicals are used, produce is fresher, the carbon footprint is reduced and local farmers are supported. Plus, locally grown products just taste better.

Those same reasons should apply to drinking locally — and by this, I don’t mean increasing your frequency at the neighborhood pub.

While drinking locally sound like an achievable and enjoyable goal for beer drinkers given the plethora of top-notch microbrews coming out of Illinois and Wisconsin, drinking local wine if you live near Chicago may seem unlikely.

When we think of wine from the United States, California wine usually springs to mind, followed by Washington, Oregon and maybe New York.

But did you know that wine is commercially produced in each of the 50 states (although Alaskan wine is made from local berries, not grapes)? Wine from Arkansas or Idaho? Yep, they have you covered. We all can drink locally, after all.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying all of the wine is fantastic, or even palatable. But for Chicagoans, the good news is that wineries within reasonable driving distance don’t produce merely OK wines, they produce some great wines.

Look for Chambourcin, a relatively new, late-ripening grape perfect for Midwest temperatures, and Vignoles, also a lesser known grape that expresses itself well here in a range of dry to sweet styles.

Support your local winery and try some of my favorites below — as if you needed another reason to drink more good wine.


Prairie State Winery
Located in Genoa, about one hour northwest of Chicago. The winery has several of its wines available for purchase at local retailers. For my recommendations below, contact the winery or, better yet, take a day trip out to their tasting room.

Prairie State is run by Rick Mamoser, a former high school chemistry teacher. The winery specializes in Illinois-grown grapes and is making strides toward sustainable farming.

Some to try:

Vin Rouge ($19). A full-bodied, robust blend of Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and Norton. Give this wine time to breathe and see how wonderfully it evolves over an evening.

Chambourcin Reserve ($16). A beautiful example of this regional grape. The oak aging gives the wine a toasted vanilla note and a soft, smooth finish.


Fenn Valley Vineyards
Located roughly two and a half hours from Chicago, in Fennville, Mich. Fenn Valley’s proximity to Lake Michigan and the resulting temperature-moderating effect give it what most great viticulture sites have in common.

The winery recently gained national notoriety. Its ice wine was served at the White House Governors Ball in February. If it’s good enough for the President and international dignitaries, it’s certainly good enough for me. Order directly from the vineyard by calling (800) 432-6265.

Some to try:

Edelzwicker 2009 ($12). The Traminette and Riesling blend is a touch off-dry, with soft floral aromas and a refreshing, not cloyingly sweet finish.

Lakeshore Demi-Sec ($8). A “best buy” semi-dry blend of Vidal, Vignoles and Riesling that screams fun and fruity; perfect for all those summer bridal events.

Meritage 2008 ($18). Rich and brooding with black pepper and dark cherry flavors, this traditional “Bordeaux blend” is less than 12 percent alcohol, a welcome change from similar-tasting Napa Cabs that hit over 16 percent.


Blue Sky Vineyard
Blue Sky Vineyard in Makanda opened in 2005 and is a leisurely five-and-a-half hour drive south from Chicago. It is part of the Shawnee Hills wine trail of 12 wineries in southern Illinois, which make the trip worth taking as a weekend getaway; you can stay at or near the winery’s Tuscan-inspired inn.

Try the estate wines below for a showing of the winery’s best efforts. Order wines online at blueskyvineyard.com or by calling (618) 995-9463.

Some to try:

Cabernet Franc ($19). The seductive smokiness of this wine makes it a perfect pair for coal-fired oven pizzas.

Chambourcin Reserve 2006 ($12). A bargain price for a wine of this depth. Get your hands on several bottles before word spreads.

Vignoles 2009 ($18). If you enjoy Chardonnay from the warmer regions of Australia, try this full-bodied white bursting with tropical fruit flavors.


Chateau Grand Traverse
Not all Midwestern wineries are small, nor are they all new. Started in 1974, Chateau Grand Traverse is one of the oldest and most well-known commercial wineries in the Midwest, producing more than 85,000 cases of wine annually.

The winery is on a mission to turn the area’s “up-and-coming” label into a respected, well-known wine region.

Due to its location in the Old Mission Peninsula of Michigan, Riesling is the grape best suited to the often frigid local climate. It’s the winery’s stand-out grape, whether in a blend or on its own.

Some to try:

2008 Dry Riesling ($13). A great example of how Riesling shines in this region. You’ll find aromas of green apple and grapefruit and a crisp finish.

2008 Ship of Fools ($14). A charming, easy-drinking off-dry blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.

The Wine Cube - An Adorable Boxed Wine?

I'm slightly embarrassed to even write this, but I found a wine that can only be described as "adorable." The Wine Cube, a collaboration between Target and Trinchero Estates, is the most adorable boxed wine in its 1.5L version. And yes, that's the first time and last time I use the word "adorable" to describe a wine - but it just is...hear me out! The Chardonnay is housed in a 5"X5.5" sunny yellow cube and fits snugly into any open space in your refrigerator. Boxed wine has received a ton of press from the wine trade in the last two years. Wine Spectator even bowed its head recently and did a feature on it, incidentally, they rated the Wine Cube Chardonnay the best boxed white wine from the US.

But are consumers ready to accept a boxed wine? Even if you are the most open minded consumer willing to try out these boxed, spouted wines, it may still be a habit kept well hidden from anyone but your significant other and mom. But that's where the Wine Cube comes in. Not only is the Chardonnay highly drinkable, it's actually designed chic enough to pull out in front of guests at a party. You'll all marvel at Target's usual superior marketing and design strength wondering when Wal-Mart is going to catch on. While you're chatting, you'll enjoy a medium-bodied, lovely Chardonnay that is quaffable and bursts with Granny Smith apple flavors. The 1.5L box holds the equivalent of 2 bottles, but don't fret if you can't finish it within one evening. The Wine Cube claims to hold its own for one full month. And at about $10, that's one claim I'm willing to test.

Love Albariño and Cooking? Check out this fun contest

One of my very first posts on this blog was Albariño, the elegantly crisp, dry and aromatic wine from the northwest corner of Spain in Galicia known as the Rias Baixas region. It's near and dear to my heart since it's a perfect wine to pair with seafood and imagine you're on a sidewalk cafe on the winding streets of Spain (not sitting at your computer for the 11th hour in a row).

Below is a contest for amateur chefs – really anyone who likes to cook and doesn’t do it for a living - who can enter an original recipe that pairs well with Albariño. Check it out and email me if you come up with a great Albarino-friendly recipe so we can include it on our blog.

Contest details below:

o One grand prize winner will receive two tickets to the 36^th Annual People’s Choice Awards® in Los Angeles which includes transportation, overnight accommodations (Valued up to $1,500), and dinner for two at The Bazaar.

o Two runner-up entries will each receive a $250 Williams-Sonoma® gift card.

o All three of the top winners will have their recipes featured on the Rías Baixas Albariño website.

o Consumers can also vote online for their favorite recipe from 2008 from last year’s finalists. And the creator of the 2008 finalist recipe that receives the most online votes will also win a trip to the 36^th Annual People’s Choice Awards®.

o Anyone who votes for his/her favorite recipe from 2008 and automatically enter a drawing to win a trip for two to the 36th Annual People’s Choice Awards.

To enter and for rules, go here: http://www.riasbaixaswines.com/recipes/contest/index.php#

Discover Chenin Blanc - The Kate Winslet of Wine

Learn about the versatile Chenin Blanc grape through the Champalou, Vouvray, Loire Valley, 2007

Chenin Blanc, like Riesling, is a versatile varietal that can be made in every style from sweet to sparkling. It is grown throughout the New World, but the best expressions are found in the Loire Valley of France and in particular, Vouvray.

Champalou is a stellar estate operated by the husband and wife team, Olivier and Catherine Champalou. Olivier tends the vines and Catherine oversees the winemaking.

Their lovely 2007 is complex with green apples, sweet ripe cantaloupe, stone fruits and great acidity. The key to balance with any wine showing residual sugar is acidity. It's the Yin to residual sugar's Yang.

The acidity in the Champalou does its job fabulously, providing a supportive backbone to the sweet, plump fruit.

As a varietal, I'd compare Chenin to Kate Winslet. It's secure in its full-body and compels in each and every role with intensity and class.

Perfect Spring Wine Picks

Usher in spring with Chile's best Sauvignon Blancs (more of Swirl Savvy's writing from TastingTable.com)

With the trees budding and air warming up for spring, we're finally ready to put away those big winter reds and bring out the crisp summer whites. In the past, we reached for ubiquitous New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but this year we're smitten with Chile's take on the same grape.

Although Chile has been producing Sauvignon Blanc for years, the country has only recently produced wine that fulfills the grape's potential. The best picks come from a trio of up-and-coming regions--Leyda, Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley--where cool climates and long ripening times result in wines that aren't as bracingly acidic as their Kiwi counterparts. If a comparison must be made, these Chilean versions express a finesse and minerality similar to France's Sancerre. However, Chile's low production costs keep prices down, making the country one of the best sources of Sauvignon Blanc values in the world.

Keep these bottles in mind for pairing with spring's first crops of vegetables:

2006 Kingston Cariblanco Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc ($15) In addition to its bright citrus flavors and crisp acidity, this wine offers minerality and a silky texture (oceanwineandspirits.com).

2006 Matetic EQ San Antonio Sauvignon Blanc ($16) Warm nectarine notes and a welcome hint of smoke intensify on the palate and makes this a perfect alfresco party pick (wallywine.com).

2008 Casa Lapostolle Rapel Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($8) Tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and banana linger in this soft, value-priced bottle (pjwine.com).

2008 Montes Limited Selection Leyda Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($12) Intensely aromatic, this wine's aromas of clean linen (seriously) are followed by racy acidity and lemon-lime flavors; try it with ceviche (hitimewine.com).

Millbrook Tocai Fiulano Wine Review - the Kelly Ripa of wine

2005 Millbrook Tocai Friulano ($15)

While Live with Regis and Kelly TV Host Kelly Ripa is technically a New Jersey native, New Yorkers would love to claim her as one of their own, like the Tocai Friulano from the Millbrook winery. The Tocai Friulano grape is native to Italy but has found a nice home in the Hudson Valley, located just one and a half hours north of New York City. Kelly seems to gracefully do it all just like our Tocai. It exhibits zippy tropical fruit flavors of kiwi and grapefruit and shows a hint of nuttiness that seems a prerequisite to handle everything Kelly has on her superwoman plate. Like Ms. Ripa's straight talking, down-to-earth demeanor, this wine keeps itself grounded with a nice layer of minerality. What most likens this wine to Regis' verbal sparring partner is its vibrancy and depth which might surprise others, but keeps us coming back for more.