Fine Illinois Apple Wine

Pomoma Winery deep in the Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois specializes in fruit wines made from locally grown fruits.  If you have never experienced the unique beauty of Southern Illinois and the Shawnee Forest, this is a nice opportunity to enjoy the countryside and have a fun wine trip at the same time.

We shared a bottle of Pomona's semi-dry apple wine made with Jonathan apples.  This light-bodied wine was crisp and tart - not too sweet or fruity.I found it well-balanced and surprisingly pleasant -- a very well-made apple wine.

A Dry Rose from Stone Hill

A winery rich in history, Stone Hill sits majestically on a hilltop overlooking the town of Hermann, Missouri.  If you enjoy learning about the development and re-emergence of the wine industry in the Midwest like I do, make sure to check out their website -- www.stonehillwinery.com.

In its tasting room, Stone Hill staff lead guests through their sampling of an array of wines. On a recent visit, we experienced a new wine, a dry rose. Made with a combination of St. Vincent and Chambourcin grapes, the dryness of this rose was pleasing to my palate.  I purchased a bottle before I left.  A week later I served it chilled to our group of wine enthusiasts. We found it nice for sipping and great with Baklava. This will be a great summer wine for those who enjoy dry reds but need something a little lighter to get them those hot summer evenings.

Tasting Missouri Wines More Rewarding Than Ever!

Wine and Gifts! What more could a wine lover want?  A new program offered through the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, the Winery Passport and Tasting Journal is a terrific way to get wine enthusiasts to "kick it up a notch" when it comes to visiting wineries.  So this is the year to expand our favorite vineyards list by traveling and tasting the wines at some of the other 95+ vineyards spread across our 4 AVA's in Missouri.

Not only is this a great marketing idea, but there are nice prizes for the effort.  For every few stamps you collect on your passport,you can receive a token of appreciation for your patronage [after the first 4 stamps, you receive a nice bar towel; after the next 4, a nice corkscrew]. To see all prizes, go to www.missouriwine.org. [a very nice website!]  I have already received the first two gifts and my third is on the way. I am impressed with the quality of the items and love being greeted by a surprise in the mailbox.

The vintners I have visited with in the last month are already noticing the increased traffic to their tasting rooms because of the passports. I urge all wine lovers to get a passport (available at all wineries) and make the most of the next few months before the program ends..Also, I encourage everyone to be thoughtful and make sure to purchase something from each vineyard as a thank you to them for participating in this fun give-away program! A toast to a great program!

Adam Puchta Winery Experience

Tim Puchta tells us people stay so busy that " we often forget to just stop and reflect on our lives and our upbringing." Adam Puchta is the oldest Missouri winery that has been owned and maintained by the same family. The winery has been operating since 1855 and has a rich heritage. Slightly southwest of Herman near Frene Creek, the winery sits on a hillside and offers tastings, a gift shop, and a shaded picnic area.

Congratulations to Puchta Winery for receiving two awards from attendees at the Drink Local Wines 2011 Conference. Held in St. Louis this year, the conference arranged for participants and media to taste wines from 21 of Missouri's wineries and rate them.  Puchta Winery won awards for the Best Red Wine and the People's Choice Wine at the year's Twitter Taste-Off. The Best Red was Adam Puchta's Norton and the People's Choice was Adam's Norton Port.

I have to add my approval for the Adam Puchta Signature Port. This is a rich, smooth port that is full-bodied and not too sweet.  [I do not like sweet port wines.]  Just right for relaxing, sipping, and yes, Tim, reflect on our lives.

An Illinois Vignoles

Bella Terra Winery in Southern Illinois is located southeast of Marion, Illinois, among ponds and trees. We were treated this week to a bottle of their Diamante wine.  Diamante is a non vintage Illinois dry Vignoles with 12% alcohol. It has a floral perfume aroma and has floral flavors forward but that is replaced by a mostly honey taste.  The finish is dry yet smooth.  This was a very pleasant dry white wine.It paired well with vegetables and dip.

Drink Local Wines 2011 Conference Summary

What a great experience this past weekend at the third annual DrinkLocalWines.com conference, this year held in St. Louis, Missouri. We were treated to the insight of local vintners, authors, wholesalers, fellow bloggers, and well-known wine and food critics in morning sessions.  Then after a fine lunch, we entered a large meeting room to find 21 Missouri wineries, each offering 2 of their best wines for sampling.  It was our solemn duty to taste every one of them before voting for best red, best white, and the Media’s Choice award. After a short break, we were on to appetizers and more great conversation. What an amazing day! – great Missouri wines, wonderful conversation, and an especially unique camaraderie with others who shared our love of good wine.

Day 2 brought a narrated VIP tour to three local wineries.  Sugar Creek Winery was our first stop where Ken, Becky, and Chris gave us a thoughtful tour while treating us to cheese, crackers, chocolate, and a yummy port. Following an engaging Q & A session, we were escorted to the cleverly decorated tasting room where we were “schooled” in Sugar Creek’s wines and history. After making our purchases we traveled on to Montelle Winery for tasty lunch, a gorgeous view of the valley, and an fascinating presentation by Tony (back from the wedding of his son the night before) – and several Montelle wines. Nice wines, good music, and a great gift shop!  Lastly, we rolled into Augusta and to Mount Pleasant Winery.  We were ushered through the gate, passed the old Water Tower, to a serving room where Chuck treated us to the story of Mt. Pleasant -- a glass of  the historic Tawny Port. Nice! Next, we descended to the original cellars, used to age their ports and various other estate wines. We ultimately surfaced near the tasting room for several fine samples and for a few more purchases before we had to board the bus to return to St. Louis. All along the way Joe and Ann Pollack, famous food and wine critics, provided us bits of local history.

I am sure all attendees will raise their glasses and offer a toast to Jeff Siegel and Dave McIntyre for arranging a great conference!  And to all panelists and vintners for sharing their stories, their wisdom, and their wines! I do have one complaint, however, it wasn’t long enough! ;-)