Last fall, I was having a discussion with one of my volunteer pickers about tasting local wines. He had recently visited some local wineries and mentioned one in particular. "It didn’t feel right. It didn’t have a northern winery flavor. All of their wines were the same old California styles," he said. We went on to discuss the differences between vinifera and hybrid wine styles and … [Read more...]
Why Your Winery is the Local Attraction
March 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
As I travel around the Midwest talking to winery owners, I often hear this comment: "At my winery, it's as much about the experience as it is about the wine." That experience is worth sharing with customers, as evidenced by the many wineries that have succeeded not only through the popularity of their wines but also by giving their largely urban customers a hands-on experience. In a line that … [Read more...]
Midwest Wines Should Embrace Sweetness
February 16, 2012 By 1 Comment
According to Master of Wine, Tim Hanni, the top selling wine in Robert Mondavi's tasting room is Muscato D'Oro, which has 8.8 grams/litre of residual sugar. "Despite the sweetness, Mondavi does not market Muscato D'Oro as a dessert wine," he said. Speaking to an audience of over 100 Illinois winemakers at the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association Conference in Springfield, Illinois, … [Read more...]
So What’s “Midwest Wine” Anyway?
December 1, 2011 By 1 Comment
We have received several comments about the name of our publication, Midwest Wine Press. Some readers have correctly noted that there is no such thing as “Midwest Wine.” As the publisher, I have to agree that the term “Midwest Wine” is more complex and far-reaching than any one moniker can capture. Creating a succinct definition for the wines produced between the Finger Lakes … [Read more...]
Wine is Healthy. So Why the Sin Tax?
November 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Buddha said long ago that salvation lies in the Middle Way. That is something that, as an interventional cardiologist, I and many colleagues within the medical community have also been saying for years regarding alcohol, and specifically wine, consumption. The data examining the health advantages and detriments for alcohol, and wine in particular, is compelling in terms of risk/benefit … [Read more...]
Doug Frost: Change at the Missouri Wine Competition
November 15, 2011 By 1 Comment
Plenty of wine competitions get ignored. Once I might have gotten my nose out of joint about the manner in which competitions such as Missouri's annual Wine Competition are completely invisible throughout the established media. Of course they ignore such competitions. For one, most of these wines aren't available nationally, and many of those in the Missouri Competition aren't found … [Read more...]
MWP in Autumn Pensive Mood
October 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The World Series is over, the boats are out of the harbor, and windshield wiper fluid and driveway salt is stacked high throughout the land. We are in the heart of Autumn again. Next March, the days will finally again be longer than the nights and we can then plan for a summer full of accomplishments. But now it’s time to pause and reflect on another set of seasons lived. “Nature is, … [Read more...]
