Another Impressive Norton

In the middle of historic Hermann, Missouri, is the Hermannhof Winery. Began before the Civil War, the German influence is clear even today.  In 1974, the Dierberg family purchased the Hermannhof Winery and continued the tradition of growing and bottling local grape varietals.

We sampled the Norton this week.  The wine had a berry aroma and a deep garnet color. The black cherry and plum  flavors gave way to spice and oak. This Norton has a long, pleasant finish. It was a very enjoyable full-bodied, dry midwestern red wine. In fact the Hermannhof Norton has received multiple awards. To make this wine even more attractive, it can be purchased for under $20.

You are not nutty if you like this Norton

Not far off Interstate 44 in Missouri, just a few miles north of St. James, is the Three Squirrels Winery.  Visitors are greeted by a sign that includes three of the furry fellows seeming to look over their would-be guests.[I'm really fighting the temptation to make a squirrel joke here. Ah, Nuts!] If you scurry over to their quaint tasting room, you may hear some happy "chatter" at the bar as patrons taste several red and white wines offered there.

This week at our Wine Girls Christmas party, we enjoyed a bottle of  the Three Squirrels Norton. The Norton grape is a native American grape and the state grape of Missouri, just underscoring the importance of vineyards in Missouri.

After some breathing time and a swirl [a squirrel swirl ;-)] or two, we were first treated by the nice nose of this Norton. The wine itself is, as expected, deep red and dry, but pleasantly smooth.  This Norton has complex berry flavors, but no invasive tannin aftertaste. For under $20, it is a nice dry red -- and pairs very well with dark chocolate and great conversation!

Happy Holidays to All!

Cabernet Franc from the Blue Sky

It is unusual to see Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc being cultivated at Midwest vineyards.None the less, since the Cabernet Franc grape tolerates a cooler climate than Cabernet Sauvignon, it would have the slightly better potential of the two for successfully growing in the Midwest. Cabernet Franc, commonly used in blended wines, is now also being bottled alone.

In the Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois is the Blue Sky Vineyard which produces a Cabernet Franc.One of our wine group members shared a bottle of this wine with us this week. The production year was not indicated on the bottle we tasted, but this dry red wine is currently available at the winery and through its website. We found the Blue Sky Cabernet Franc to be delightfully smokey yet smooth with berry undertones and a lingering smooth finish. It was an enjoyable wine. In addition, with the cost running under $20, this Cabernet Franc is a reasonably priced wine.

An Inexpensive Norton Wine

Among the grapes native to North America, the only species that has a proven track record for good dry table wines is the Norton grape. Although the versions of the history of the grape do not all agree, the existence of the Norton grape has been traced back to colonial times. Today to a large extent, the production of Norton has shifted to the Midwest, where it has become known as the “cabernet” of the wine industry. At any winery I visit, I taste the Norton. It is a rich, deep ruby color and can have a myriad of flavors from dark cherry or raspberry including hints of coffee or chocolate, to a dry, spicy finish. Frequently, at Midwestern wineries, the Norton [thought by many to be the same as Cynthiana] is the top wine -- in flavor, in demand, and in price.

Slightly north of the metro St. Louis area, is the Mary Michelle Winery, begun by a group of investors from California. Trusting the soil and climate in the valley near the town of Carrollton, they set out to produce an affordable world-class wine from Illinois-grown grapes. Their Illinois Cellars label boasts a complex and flavorful Norton that sells locally for under $8. At our gathering this week, we shared a 2008 Norton and agreed that it was great for the money and stand ups well against other Nortons selling for more than twice the price. Comments made by the Wine Girls included:  Full-bodied, complex, somewhat fruity, flavors of rich dark cherry, and a dry finish.

If you would like to taste this Norton, do not go to the Mary Michelle winery. There is no Tasting Room yet. Go instead to the famous Pere Marquette State Park north of Grafton, Illinois. The drive along the  River Road is picturesque and on a hillside over-looking the Illinois River is the Park’s rustic Lodge. Around the corner from the main entrance to the Lodge is the Mary Michelle tasting room, offering samples of both the Mary Michelle label and the Illinois Cellars label.  You can buy their wines at slightly higher prices there --  by the glass or the bottle, And, if you are hungry, these can be taken across the Grand Hall to the Pere Marquette Restaurant where they will nicely compliment several flavorful entrees. The Illinois Cellars Norton is also available in some local grocery stores.

Beaujolais Nouveau

The third Thursday of November at 12:01 a.m. is a magical time for red wine enthusiasts. From a custom dating back over 100 years, it is the release of a wine denoting the end of the harvest -- Beaujolais. Not only does the Beaujolais wine from the Gamay grape make its debut in France, but also similar wines made from the first harvests are released around the globe.  In the U. S. this briefly fermented wine is called Nouveau.

The red varieties of Nouveau are dry, but also soft and very fruity.  The quality can vary greatly from year to year, maybe because of the quick 7-9 week production time line. Unlike other wines, it has a short rack life, generally  being drinkable no more than six [preferably] to nine months [stretching it]. Making the November release more significant for Americans, wine experts tell us a slightly chilled Nouveau is nicely paired with Turkey and cranberries, a Thanksgiving Dinner  requirement.

Although there are festivals around the Midwest [e.g., Chicago, Minneapolis] that celebrate the availability of the French Beaujolais, the only locally produced Nouveau I have come across in my research is from St. James Winery [www.stjameswinery.com], but have not had an occasion to try their Nouveau wine at this posting.

For the past several years, I personally have purchased the Charles Shaw Nouveau out of California from Trader Joe's in St. Louis --- with mixed results -- but for $2.99 a bottle I don't mind taking a chance each year. However, I was not fond of this year's product.

If you know of any other Midwest Nouveau, please let me know. Happy Wining!

A Great Port Wine

West of St. Louis and nestled in the rolling hills of central Missouri, is the historic town of Augusta. In and near this former Missouri River port are many wonderful local wineries whose handcrafted wines have matured nicely over time. The Augusta area, a former riverbed, has rich, fertile soil and is part of the Augusta AVA, the first federally recognized vitacultural area. In the heart of the town is the Augusta Winery tasting room (www.augustawinery.com), offering consistently good wines made from locally grown grapes.

Augusta Winery's Vintage Port (2005 currently available) is full bodied, not too sweet, and offers a nice finish. Made from the Chambourcin grape and blended with brandy, Vintage Port offers "hints of black cherry, spice and licorice." I enjoy Vintage Port at the end of a busy day, especially on those cold Midwest nights. It's a wonderful addition to a late evening in front of the fireplace. Selling for under $16, Vintage Port is not only an economical port wine, but also a port of great taste and quality. I have tasted more expensive ports that are not nearly so good. I am choosy about my ports, and I highly recommend this one.

Midwest wineries

I am very fortunate to be part of a group of great women who share a love for good wines. We live in the Midwest and have visited numerous area wineries on a continuing quest to find the best of the best wines produced in and around the Mississippi River and its tributaries. 

Each week we meet to taste, enjoy, and discuss different wines. Come along on this journey.  May you find wines that enhance your meals and bring you joy!