A “Bucket List” can be defined as a list of actions that individuals would like to accomplish in their lives.  I have my own list and staying in the Lincoln Bedroom at the White House is not on the list.  At the end of this month, another item from my list will be crossed off – attending a baseball game at the infamous Wrigley Field in Chicago.  Taking the Bucket List trip will allow for another item of interest – traveling to learn more about the wine industry in Illinois. 

 Wine Growing History 

In the 1770’s, French settlers first introduced wine making to small village in Illinois now called Peoria.  Emile Baxter, along with his sons, opened a winery along the banks of the Mississippi River near Nauvoo in 1857.  The Baxter Vineyard remains the oldest operating winery in Illinois.  Before prohibition, Illinois laid claim to being the fourth largest wine producing state in America.  Prohibition, as it did in many states, virtually caused the wine growing industry to disappear in Illinois until resurgence in the late 1970’s.  By the year 2001, there were 27 wineries and, in the last nine years, another 63 have been added – a 330 percent increase in the past decade. 

  Wine Growing Zones

Illinois is divided into four major wine growing zones.  Each zone approximately divides the state into quarters with the growing zone boundaries running east to west.  The zones are aptly named the Northern, Central, South Central and Southern.  Nearly one-half of the vineyards are located in Jackson, Union, Johnson and Jo Daviess Counties.  About 55 percent of the wineries are located in Union, Jackson, Madison, Adams, De Kalb and Randolph Counties.  Illinois has the capacity to produce approximately 850,000 gallons of wine per year but is currently operating at about 65 percent of capacity.  Grapes are cultivated on approximately 1200 acres in the state. 

  Wine Grapes Cultivated 

Of the grape area harvested, twelve wine grape varieties comprise nearly ninety percent of the harvest.  The following twelve varieties, listed from most produced to least are: Chardonel, Chambourcin, Vignoles, Traminette, Concord, Foch, Seyval, Norton, Vidal Blanc, Frontenac, Niagara and Cayuga White.  The Northern and Southern zones account for 57 percent of the cultivated acres of grapes.  Many of the grapes grown are considered hybrid varieties adapted to the cold climates of the state.  Fruit wines from apples, peaches and berries are also recognized as a key category within the state’s wine industry. 

 Wine Tours

The wine producing community of Illinois has four designated wine trails that are ideal to tour.  The wine trails are Shawnee Hills (Southern Zone), Northern Illinois, Illinois River and Heartland Rivers.  Any of these trails are worth the effort to explore and enjoy.  There are established bus tour companies that will allow you to taste as much wine as you want and leave the driving to them.  Interstate highways abound and make traveling to one of the wine trail tours easy.  Award winning wineries like the 2010 State Fair entry from Prairie State Winery will surely reward your palette.  Other notable wineries winning awards at the 2010 Fair were Lynfred, Spirit Knot, Hickory Ridge, Hill Prairie and August Hill Wineries. 

Illinois offers a great selection of tasty wines you should try.  It will still boil down in the end to what wine suits your palette.  As I always say, buy the wine you like, store wine properly in a wine cooler, serve it at the proper temperature and enjoy it immensely. 

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers, July 2010

Biggest Wine Country

Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay

Visit Texas Hills Area

Many of us have danced the Texas Two-step.  I found another Texas tradition, the Texas Two-sip.  The Texas Two-sip is a challenging, blind taste test of a collection of in state and out of state wines.  The goal is to use your taste buds to find the best.  There are special rules and forms to fill out, but no specific rules on what food you can eat.  Sounds like a party to me.  The only caution I have is I did not find out the rule when you get to take your blindfold off.  Be careful where you step.

When I was in the military traveling home on leave, I had car trouble in Fredericksburg.  The people took me in, fed me and housed me, while the resident mechanic repaired my heap.  When I was getting ready to leave, they gave me the gift of a thank you for my service and covered all my bills.  Because of the wine growing there, I now have another reason to take a pause there.  Look out Highway 290 here we come.

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers, June 2010

Much to my surprise, I recently came across a feature article in the June edition of Good Sam’s Highway Magazine that featured Winona, Minnesota.  This town of about 30,000 people is the place I was born.  I was excited to learn that my old hometown was under going a complete renaissance, which included increased access to the arts and cultures of the local area.  Another fact that surprised me is that near Sugar Loaf, the lofty chuck of granite over looking Winona and the Mississippi River, a new vineyard was established.  I decided to research the rest of the state to learn more about its wine industry. 

Any one that has spent any time in Minnesota knows about the short growing seasons and the long winters. Infamous names in Minnesota wine growing lore include Louis Suelter, 1870 era German homesteader from Carver, Minnesota and A. W Latham, a Minneapolis transplant in 1865.  Both of these men spent considerable time and effort producing new types of growing grapes adapted to the climate of the state. 

Conditions as found in this state are not conducive to development of a substantial wine industry.  However, the University of Minnesota reported in 2008 that the wine industry’s total impact to the state’s economy was a little over 36 million dollars.  Employment was around 324 people with a labor income of around 10 million dollars.  Some would say “that ain’t hay”. 

Many grape varieties require special handling to protect them from the winter weather, including in some places burying the vines under soil for the season.  Research has developed several hybrid and other grape varieties that are cold hardy.  Grapes produced include Marquette, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Concord, Edelweiss, Delaware, La Crescent, La Crosse, St Croix and several others. 

There are approximately 30 wineries in the state of Minnesota.  Most are located within the lower Mississippi, Saint Croix and Cannon River Valleys in the southeast quadrant of the state.  Most of these wineries have websites one can visit to get specific information on their operations.  Wine crop harvest generally happens in September but will vary slightly depending on the variety. 

A recent addition to the wine scene in Minnesota is the Three Rivers Wine Trail.  This Trail was established to feature the Wine Haven, Northern, Saint Croix, Falconer and Cannon River Vineyards in the southeastern part of the state.  These vineyards are five of the oldest in the state.  There are several events planned at these wineries and at the same time, you can explore towns like Chisago City, Stillwater, Red Wing and Cannon Falls.

During my research, I ran across an article by Annie Baxter, Minnesota Public Radio, written June 25, 2006.  She stated, “It may come as a surprise that Minnesota even has vineyards, given a climate that can be fatal for wine grapes.  But a wine industry is emerging in a state that’s better known for producing corn and soybeans.”  Regardless of the current “growing pains” of the Minnesota wine industry, I believe its worth looking into.  Having been born in the state, I know Minnesota citizens will go out of their way to try any home grown product, including its wine.  

As I always say, buy your favorite wine, store it properly, serve it at the right temperature and enjoy it to the fullest. 

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers, May 2010

Many of our customers at Ideal Wine Coolers hail from the great state of Florida.  I was curious what Florida’s wine industry was all about.  Interestingly, Florida ranks third in wine consumption with New York and California holding the top two spots. However, the wine growing industry in Florida is not a significant state contributor to the local economy, but the wineries are gaining a growing reputation for their wine production.  Another fact that eluded me was that Florida is home to the Original American wine.  

 Wine was first made in Florida 300 hundred years before California became a state.  Early Spanish and French explorers discovered native grown Muscadine grapes growing in the wild.  Around 1565, colonists started producing the Original American Wine from the native grapes largely as sacramental wine for religious purposes.  The tropical climate in Florida and the presence of many grapevine diseases made wine growing problematic for many years.  In the 1930’s, hybrid grapes suited for the Florida climate were developed by University of Florida researchers.  It was not until the 1980’s that Florida could even claim a wine growing industry of any note. 

There are fewer than 30 wineries and vineyards in the state.  These few industry leaders can be found scattered throughout the state from the Florida Panhandle to the Homestead area south of Miami.  Primarily because of the growing season differences, the grape harvests begin in May and end in September, which is much earlier than places like Pennsylvania.  Most of the wineries can be found in the “out-of-the-way” places of the state and are centered near small, delightful country communities.  Visiting these small, friendly towns could be a highlight of a wine tour trip in the state and certainly enhance the understanding of early American history. 

Muscadine wines cannot be found anywhere else in the world and are considered a Southern specialty.  The research and development of new hybrids will surely enhance the varieties of grapes grown in Florida.  Some of the key grapes grown are Stover, Blanc du Bois, Swanee, Noble, Muscadine, and Miss Blanc.  I have no doubts that development of more varieties and hybrids will ultimately serve to increase the future choices for Florida wine drinkers.  Florida is also a state that allows shipping of wines across its borders with minimal requirements.  It may be worth your time to check out the possibility if you cannot travel there. 

On June 24 and 25 this year, the Florida International Wine Challenge will hold its sixth annual competition at the Palms Hotel in Miami Beach.  The 2010 Wine Challenge is touted to be the biggest in history.  This event has given out awards to wineries and vineyards from all over the world.  This year event organizers will be offering an educational package that is sure to enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the event. 

Many people wonder why the Florida wine industry does not achieve more notoriety.  Many of the wines made there have won numerous national and international awards.  Perhaps, it is because many of us still look at Florida where the oranges are grown and where Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades and Disney World are located.  I recommend, when next in Florida, that you find one of the small town wineries or wine venders and try a bottle of homegrown wine.  Remember, as I always say find a wine you enjoy, store it properly until you use it, serve it at just the right temperature and enjoy it. 

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers, May 2010

In elementary school when learning U.S. geography, Pennsylvania always “threw me for a loop” when trying to spell it.  I kept forgetting the “y”.  The state is infamous as the location where the Declaration of Independence was signed.  In December 1878, Pennsylvania became the second state to join the new union of American states, just five days after Delaware.  The state ranks sixth in population and thirty-third in total area when compared to the other states.  In agricultural production, Pennsylvania ranks nineteenth overall, but ranks first in mushroom production, third in Christmas tree production and, surprisingly, seventh in the nation in wine making. 

The state has over 100 wineries covering over 14,000 acres.  The wine industry contributes over 2 billion dollars to the state’s economy.  Approximately 230 distinct growers produce nearly 400,000 cases of wine annually.  The Pennsylvania wine industry accounts for over 10,500 jobs.  The wine industry is relatively young, but is growing fast and gaining recognition for its quality wines.  The grape crop harvest typically starts in late August and ends in the middle of October. 

The wine industry originated in the southeast and northwest portions of the state.  Today, wineries are scattered throughout the state.  The majority of wine production is in the eastern part of the state within a polygon defined by drawing a line from Williamsport east to Scranton, then southeast to Newtown, then southwest to Eddystone, then west to Orrtanna, and then north back to Williamsport.  In August 2009, Jennifer Eckinger, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Winery Association, in an interview with Joel Berg, The Patriot News, said, “There’s actually a winery within a 45 minute drive anywhere in the state . . .” 

The primary Pennsylvania varietals that can be found includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Catawba, Cayuga, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Reisling, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc and Virnoles.   One of the strengths of the Pennsylvania wine industry is the diversity of the grapes grown.  Many of the wine makers have received awards and other recognitions for their quality vintages.  Most of the wine growing operations are family-owned and offer a special brand of hospitality should you opt to tour them. 

Touring Pennsylvania wineries can be fun endeavor to partake.  Plan your trip carefully before hitting the road.  If you do not like crowds and want a more one-on-one experience, tour during the week rather than the weekends.  Prepare yourself by learning as much as you can about the wineries you plan to visit by visiting their respective websites.  Do not forget to stop occasionally to “smell the roses” and experience the local cultures, museums, historical markers, restaurants, etc.  Manage your tour trip to get all the enjoyment you can and not let the trip become an onus to having fun. 

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers

I have enjoyed a good glass of table wine many times with my meals.  Wine tasting parties have always been a favorite pastime, especially when combined with cheese.  No, I am not from Wisconsin so I do not rate a “cheese head hat”.  Recently, after a pleasant dinner party with good friends, I was introduced to a new class of wines that I had never tried before.  The dessert wine I was served turned out to be the fitting end to a fabulous evening. 

 Grapes used for dessert wines are not harvested in the same fashion and timing as your typical table wine grapes.  The goal is to increase the sugar content of the grape by mainly harvesting them later in the season.  Often in dessert wines a noble rot forms on the grapes before harvest.  In another dessert wine type named ice wine, grape harvest is delayed until the first freeze.  Some times these wines are developed by pausing the fermentation process. 

There are several types of grapes primarily used in the making of dessert wines.  Semillon grapes are commonly used in Sauternes that often smell like the wildflowers where it is grown.  Muscat grapes may remind you of orange and honey.  Fendant and Chasselas are typically found primarily in Switzerland.  Spicy Gewurztraminer wines are good tasting and seem to age well.  Fortified wines like sherry, port and Madeira are made differently than your typical dessert wine, but are also a great choice and considered in many circles to be “honorary dessert wines”.  Be aware that some wineries are making great dessert wines by “late-harvesting” table wine grapes used for Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier. 

 When serving dessert wines, a general rule is the wine should be sweeter than the food it is served with.  Good matches include fresh sweet fruits, bakery goods and chocolate and toffee based dishes.  White dessert wines should be served chilled but not to cold, while red dessert wines are mainly served at room temperature.  Because of their sweetness, dessert wines come in smaller bottles and often are more expensive than table wines.  It is best to serve these wines in a small glass with a pour of only 2 ounces.  Dessert wine can be served without dessert, but in any case with or without, ready your body for the sugar high that will result. 

 Selecting the right dessert wine for your next entertainment event could be a little challenging.  A great suggestion is to try a “test-run” before you plan your gathering.  Get your chosen dessert prepared ahead of time.  Taste the wine you think will compliment your dessert choice and note your impressions.  Lastly, taste your wine along with your dessert.  If you find the combination pleasant to your palate, you are home free.  If the combination dulls the flavor of the wine, consider going with a less-sweet dessert or a sweeter wine. 

What I learned about dessert wines has been known for a long time by cultured Europeans.  On this continent, we have always appreciated having dessert after our meals, but have not extensively appreciated what a good accompanying wine could do to our “taste-buds”.   I have decided that having a dessert wine in my cellar to enjoy occasionally is a personal requirement.  As I always say, select your wine to fit your individual taste, store and serve it properly, and enjoy. 

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers, April 2010

Every year my wife and I try to plan a fall trip to some place we have not been before.  The choice this year was an RV trip to Branson, Missouri.  Branson is infamous for its broad range of entertainment shows that one can attend and enjoy.  We also like to find out more about a particular state’s wine industry.  For example, I did not know that the area just west of St Louis overlooking the Missouri River is officially recognized as America’s first wine district.  Missouri is also home to over 90 different wineries, comprising an industry that is on the rise. 

In the 1830’s, some of the first settlers to the Missouri River Valley were German immigrants from the Rhine River Valley.  They were looking to settle down and become crop farmers.  They were dismayed to find the plots they staked were not the optimum for accomplishing what they wanted to do.  Instead, the idea of starting vineyards and producing fine wines became the goal.  One such vineyard, Stone Hill Winery, was so successful that it won the first of eight gold medals at the Vienna World Fair in 1870.  The wine industry in Missouri was off and running and building a reputation of producing some of the best wines in the world. 

The hub of the wine industry in the eighteen hundreds became centered on the town of Hermann, Missouri, first settled in 1837.  The city of Hermann takes its name from Hermann the Cherusker, who beat back three Roman legions in the Battle of Teutoburger in 9 AD.  To Germans, he is a symbol of strength.  Historical Hermann is one of those places you visit where “time has seemed to stand still”.  It is full of quaint, red brick buildings, several personalized bed and breakfast inns and numerous other shops and museums.  The town has all the amenities to make a visit there a great experience.  Hermann is the heart of Missouri wine country with its wineries producing nearly 70,000 gallons of wine per year, 1/3 of the state total. 

Aside from the Hermann area, there are four other areas of note worth your time to visit.  In the central part of the state west of Hermann near Fulton, Missouri and accessed by Interstate 70 is the Missouri River wine area.  In the southeastern part of the state near Chaffe and Cape Vardeau is another wine growing area (Route Du Vin) that can be accessed by Interstate 55.  The wine growing area near Springfield (Ozark Mountain) in the southwestern part of the state is accessed using Interstate 44.  Finally, the area just west and adjacent to St Louis is called the Missouri Weinstrasse Tour and is located south of I-70 and north of I-44.  

There is a broad array of events often planned within these wine growing zones.  Wine tasting, winery openings, wine and dinner theatres, wine release parties, and winery anniversary celebrations abound.  I also discovered that most of these events feature “live entertainment” to make the discovery tours even more enjoyable.  As in many other places in the country, the October Fest celebrations always seem to cap off a great wine growing season, making a Missouri October wine tour extra special.  Because of Prohibition in the 1920’s, the Missouri wine industry nearly disappeared, but since the early 1960’s the industry is once again flourishing. 

In 2009, Stone Hill Winery received the Governor’s Cup Award.  That competition featured over 220 different Missouri wines.  Gold medals awarded totaled 42 with 54 Silver and 64 Bronze medals also awarded.  The most important grapes are the Norton, Chancellor Noir, Cayuga, Catawba, Niagara and Concord.  New French hybrids that are also gaining in reputation include Vidal, Seyval, Vigroles and Chardonel. 

Missouri is often affectionately called “The Show Me State”.  My investigation of Missouri’s Wine Country ended up “showing me” that they have carved out a nice niche in wine producing.  Remember, store your wine properly, serve it at the right temperature and enjoy it immensely. 

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers, 4/2010