Author: Mark Ganchiff

Wisconsin Ledge AVA approved

Wisconsin Ledge AVA approved

The Federal TTB announced yesterday that the Wisconsin Ledge AVA has been approved.  Steve DeBaker of Trout Springs Winery in Greenleaf, WI spent seven years convincing the TTB that the 44 square mile AVA...

Bill to Ease Wisconsin Distribution Restrictions Fails

Bill to Ease Wisconsin Distribution Restrictions Fails

From the Green Bay Press Gazette,  a bill allowing for self distribution in Wisconsin apparently will not be brought up for a vote now in its current form. See:  http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120310/ADV01/203100415/Winery-bill-falters

Watch Midwest Snow Melt From Outer Space

Watch Midwest Snow Melt From Outer Space

As depicted in this 31 Day USA Snow Loop  animation from the National Ice Center,  there is virtually no remaining snow in the Midwest except for a few pockets of slush in Upper Michigan....

Buds Swelling in Southern Illinois But Not Broken

Buds Swelling in Southern Illinois But Not Broken

Reports from Midwest vineyards on Wednesday and Thursday confirm that grape buds are swelling in Southern Illinois and throughout the region, but there are no confirmations of budbreak.  (However peach tress are blossoming in...

“Grandma Ester” and Other Wine Aromas

How can a winemaker craft a white wine that does not have the unexciting vinous smell of white wine?  According to Dr. Anna Katherine Mansfield of Cornell University,  the winemaker’s art is accentuating a...

NPR Says Wine Consumers Happy With Lower Priced Wines

NPR Says Wine Consumers Happy With Lower Priced Wines

Among the findings of a Penn State study published by National Public Radio,  wine experts are 40 times as sensitive to bitterness than casual wine drinkers.   For more on the story: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/03/06/147826845/most-of-us-just-cant-taste-the-nuances-in-high-priced-wines?sc=fb&cc=fp