It's Port Wine Weather!

Ah, the cool, crisp air of Fall! Thoughts turn to warm fires and a great glass of Port, Sherry, or Madeira dessert wine. I have been waiting for the leaves to turn and the temperatures to drop so I can enjoy some of those great, hearty wines in my collection.  Winter doesn't seem so cruel when a person can cuddle up to a crackling fire with a nice glass of quality port.

Are you ready for those tastes of fall? Within an hour of St. Louis, MO, we have access to several wineries that make very nice port wines. Check out the port wines at some of my favorite stops: Adam Puchta Winery (Hermann), Augusta Winery (Augusta), Chaumette Winery (Ste. Gen), and Sugar Creek Winery (Defiance).  Also, Crown Valley Winery actually boasts its own Port House near Hannibal, MO. So, get away for a few hours, sip a good port or two, and welcome Fall!

Which ever way you go, take time to enjoy the fall colors -- and tell them The Wine Girl sent you! Cheers!

Let's Rally, Midwest Wine Lovers!

In my Sommelier training in California last month, we covered the globe discussing wines from countries that exist between the 30th and 50th latitude, both north and south of the equator. I tasted wines from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, Portugal,and South Africa.  I also tasted wines from Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia. When it came to the United States, however, the wines we tasted came from the more recognized states like Washington, Oregon, California, and New York.  Others States including Missouri and Virginia got a passing mention. Granted, we were short of time by then, and our instructors were aware that U. S. wines are readily accessible to those of us who live in this wonderful country.

Being from the Midwest, I find this unfortunate since Missouri is the home of the first AVA officially recognized in this country. The Augusta AVA was identified a full 9 months before Napa Valley. I made some noise about our wines and wine industry, but time did not permit much discussion as we were absorbing book after book of information for our exam.

All of this just renews my passion to discover exceptional Midwestern grown and produced wines. I want a ready list of exceptional Midwest wines in hand; wines that will stand along side of the California Cabernets, the Oregon Pinot Noirs, and the Washington Rieslings. If you are passionate about a stand-out wine from Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, etc., please let me know!

Norton Wine featured in Article

Dave McIntyre wrote an article published on August 27th in the food section of the Washington Post. He poses the question, "Have you tried a Norton lately?"  The article entitled "Less Acidity, More Interest in Nortons" touches on the history of the Norton grape and its evolution in America.  He references Todd Kliman, author of The Wild Vine, a book that recounts the history of Norton grape in America, an interesting read. I have met the Todd.

Dave recently found himself on a panel of judges at the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition that awarded gold medal scores to two Nortons (One was from Frogtown Cellars in Georgia, the other from Cooper Vineyards in Louisa, Va.). Norton recognition seems to be happening more and more as the American public discovers the rich complexity of a well-produced Norton wine. We need to invite Dave McIntyre to the Midwest to so he can continue his quest for a good Norton!

A Certified Sommelier Writes

I have just returned from taking the level 1 Immersion Course for Sommelier Certification offered at Wente Vineyards in California by the U. S. Sommelier Association. What an experience! After weeks of study, previewing course materials, and reading a wonderful wine course by Kevin Zraly, I went to California for the course feeling pretty well prepared for the challenge.

In 5 1/2 days, however, I learned an amazing amount of additional information and tasted an incredible array of wines from all over the world. It's often said, "I now know enough to know how much I have yet to learn." It's true! The rich history of wine has so many dimensions -- from viticulture to vinification to terroir to aging -- that it is wonderfully exhausting to delve into the great wines of the world. I tasted wines from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and, of course, the United States -- many varietals, various processings, difference ages. Fascinating! I have learned so much! And met others who are passionate about wine. Life is too short to drink bad wine.

I am proud to say I passed the exam -- both written and blind tasting -- and now begin a new era in my blogging career -- as a Certified Sommelier. I hope to write even more valuable entries going forward -- And, yes, I still have a passion for our Midwest Wines!