No matter where you vacation this summer, you will not be far from wine country.  All fifty states now have wineries.  At the Tasters Guild International wine judging held recently in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we tasted and critiqued nearly 2000 wines.  Of these, almost half were not from California, Oregon or Washington.  We judged wines from about thirty states and four Canadian provinces.  Successful winemaking starts with identifying a site where some grape vine can be cultivated to produce fully ripe fruit.  With advances in horticulture, early ripening winter hardy varieties can be cultivated successfully among the garden spots of North Dakota and Montana! 

Some of the grape varieties that adapt well to these locations are not even the same species as those grown on the West Coast.  Native species that have been hybridized and cloned to exhibit the best possible combination of cold hardiness, early ripening and disease resistance may not taste anything like Cabernet or Chardonnay.  One needs to experience these wines without prejudice.  Do not attempt to compare them to your favorite California wine.  Simply judge it on the basis of pleasure.  Does it taste good and create a pleasurable experience?

One of the biggest surprises at this year’s judging was the strong showing from Colorado.  Apparently, along the western slopes of the Rockies, there are several “paradise” valleys where fruit orchards, row crops and, yes, vineyards flourish.  With a bit more winemaking experience and grape growing tradition, I believe that in the not-so-distant future, Colorado will join the big three on the West Coast as one of the nation’s most important producers of fine wine. 

While the Great Lakes Region may produce the nation’s best cool climate wines, remarkable expertise in the vineyards and cellars puts Missouri, Ohio and Virginia in a position for each to create a unique quality image.

It is way to early to predict what sort of wine identity states like Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and the New England states will establish.  There is no question, however, that in small pockets, there is remarkable wine quality to be found everywhere.  When you see the little “winery” sign along the highway, stop and taste.  You might be surprised!

Here are just a few of the hundreds of Tasters Guild medal winners that were not from the West Coast and are worth investigating when you are in their vicinity.

WHITE WINES

2003 Von Stiehl Riesling, Wisconsin $10
Intense aroma of peach and orange blossom greets the nose. The smooth, sweet mouth feel finishes with lush, juicy fruit acid to keep it crisp and clean.

RED WINES
2001 Grande River Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Colorado $35
The intense Cabernet fruit has that unmistakable smell of a wine with pedigree.  The luscious, plumy palate impression finishes with soft, velvety tannin.  Serve it with your best Colorado beefsteak!

2003 Lynfred Red Wine, Illinois $10
Though the vineyards are on the west coast, the winery is just outside of Chicago beyond the O’Hare Airport.  This very pretty blended red has such a deep chocolate-like texture, opulently ripe fruit and smoky oak subtleties that one forgets it is only $10. 

2003 Firelands Lake Erie Merlot, Ohio $10
The ripe, cherry cordial-like fruit is hardly what one expects from Ohio.  It really has the dense, berry liqueur appeal of an Amador County California Zinfandel. Toasty oak balances the lush fruit.

2001 L. A. Cetto “Don Louis” Seleccion Reserva (Cabernet/Merlot), Baja California, Mexico $14
An overwhelming “wow” factor makes this fabulously rich, velvety smooth, densely fruity classic the best quality for value of the entire judging!

2002 Magnotta Limited Release Niagara Peninsula Cabernet Sauvignon, Ontario, Canada $18
Huge forest floor and mushroom smells combine with cherry kirsch essences.  The palate is lush and loaded with juicy berry fruit texture balancing out the generous mouth-coating finish.