Are Mycorrhizae Effective in Midwest Vineyards?
Mycorrhizae refers to a symbiotic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and the roots of a plant. This fungus and its association with the roots of various types of plants is likely as old as plant...
Monthly Archive: June 2012
City Winery Set to Be Downtown Chicago’s First Winery
The 28,000 square foot City Winery currently under construction in Chicago’s West Loop will feature 2013 vintage Midwest regional wines according to Beverage Director, Rachel Driver Speckan, formerly General Manager at Lush Wine and...
Wisconsin Growing Degree Days Above Normal for ’12
According to the University of Wisconsin, the period from April 1st to June 3rd has been warm in Wisconsin. At UW’s Sturgeon Bay Research Station, there have been 356 growing degree days (base...
Illinois Sparkling is a Favorite at Wine Riot Chicago
Illinois Sparking Company’s Stereo sparkling wine finished sixth out of more than 250 wines from 82 countries in a customer survey taken at the recent Wine Riot at Union Station in Chicago. Wine Riot...
Six Steps to Great Winery Customer Service
One of the student projects I assign for my Viticulture Enology Science Technology Alliance (VESTA) Tasting Room Management class is an evaluation of a winery tasting room. The number one area my students say needs improvement in wineries...
Midwest Wine Press Event Calendar Goes Live
The Midwest Wine Press “Wine Enthusiasts” regional wine events calendar is now current and active. On the homepage, please go to “Events,” which is located in the black banner under the Midwest Wine Press...
Illinois Wine Lovers Meet at Ottawa 2 Rivers Wine Fest
Now only in its second year, the Ottawa 2 Rivers Wine Fest, held June 8 through 10, has proved once again that a well run event in Northern Illinois can draw big crowds to...
Veraison in Southern Illinois Starts a Month Early
Ryan Heimann of Heimann Vineyards in Southern Illinois reports that his Marechal Foch vines were at the beginning of veraison on June 7th, about a month early.
Prima Cider Rides the Hard Cider Wave
Imagine a fermented beverage that was once popular and jovial, then ravaged by prohibition, finally driven to the brink of extinction, only to be kept alive by farmers and locavores for decades. Years later,...
Grape Production Expands in Vernon County Wisconsin
Timothy Rehbein, University of Wisconsin Vernon County Agriculture Agent, notes that at its peak in the 1990’s, tobacco farming was a thriving $14 million business in Vernon County, Wisconsin and surrounding areas. When the...