Try Pizzeria & Pasta Too! with Pizza

If pizza is on your menu, try Tassel Ridge Pizzeria & Pasta Too! This is a really fruity dry red, food pairing wine with hints of plum and black cherry on the nose, and it follows with plum on the palate. Pizzeria & Pasta Too! pairs well with pizza and pasta with tomato-based sauces.

Try Oskyfizzante® Red with Nachos

Oskyfizzante® Red is a refreshing, sweet, fruity, and fizzy red wine with cherry and green apple notes on the nose and cherry and plum on the palate. Oskyfizzante Red is made from a blend of Zinfandel and Muscat grapes. Pair with spicy appetizers or just chill, open, and celebrate!

Try Tassel Ridge 2009 Iowa Nouveau with Brats

The 2009 Iowa Nouveau is a red wine that is traditionally the first wine of the season to be released. It is typically very light and fruity. This year, our 2009 Iowa Nouveau is slightly spritzy. This combination of attributes makes this an ideal wine for celebrations and meals.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher, Make Mine Wine

 

Ruby LaBelle is now here! 
I haven't had a chance to taste it yet, but this one new wine sounds luscious ... and just in time for the holidays.

Ruby LaBelle is a bold Port style dessert wine with a dark chocolate infused cherries taste! Ron Mark from Summerset Winery says, "Ruby LaBelle will make a wonderful holiday gift for the wine lover or a decadent digestif with a meal. The richness and complexity of this exquisite dessert wine also complements rich, creamy chesses or is delightful all on it's own."

The  500 ml bottle sells for $17.75. Call the winery for availability, 515-961-3545.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher, Make Mine Wine

I asked Iowa winemakers across the state what wine they recommend with a traditional Thanksgiving meal and recommendations are listed below. Wine can be purchased at the wineries or often at many retail outlets. Check the winery’s Web site to see where the wine is available. Of course you can always stop in a winery, taste the wines and purchase your favorites.

 

Another option is to visit www.buyiowawines.com and review the tasting notes on wines from selected Central and Eastern Iowa wineries. Place the order and the wine will be delivered to your door.

 

Wondering how much wine you’ll need? It depends on the size of glass. You’ll pour approximately six servings per bottle using a 4-ounce wine glass compared to five servings using a 5-ounce wine glass.

 

Here are our winemaker’s recommendations:

 

Vern Holm, BlueStem Winery, Parkersburg, says, “With that big slice of turkey I would suggest our Feelin' Groovy (a Gruner Veltliner) at off-dry, our Tongue Twister (a Gewurztraminer which is just slightly sweeter than the Gruner) or our Prairie Fire (a Riesling which is just a little bit sweeter yet).

 

“With dessert (especially a piece of chocolate pie) a glass of Red Crescent (a Cabernet Franc dessert wine) would be super.” www.bluestemwine.com.

 

“Warm Dallas County Apple with spices would be perfect,” says Stan Olson, winemakers at Penoach Winery at Adel. www.penoach.com.

 

John Guinan from Santa Maria Vineyard & Winery, Carroll, recommends their Swan Lake, Brianna or Riesling Reserve with the Thanksgiving meal.  All three wines are white and range in sweetness from medium sweet (Swan Lake) to dry (Riesling Reserve). www.santamariawinery.com.

 

Here's the word from Daly Creek Winery and Bistro in Anamosa, "Daly Creek Winery's "Gothic White" and "Octoberfest" are excellent pairings for Thanksgiving fare.  For those that prefer a red wine, "Penitentiary Red" would be a perfect choice. Have a great Thanksgiving!" www.dalycreekwinery.com.

 

“St. Pepin from Two Saints Winery, St. Charles, is a white, semi-sweet fruity wine that pairs well with appetizers and the main turkey course,” says Christine Carlton. www.twosaintswinery.com.

 

“Traditional Cranberry wine from Breezy Hills Vineyard,” says Darrell Morse of Breezy Hills Vineyard, Minden. www.breezyhills.com.

 

Al Meeks, winemaker at Rosey Acres Winery, Runnels, recommends their Cranberry wine. It is a sweet dessert style wine that goes very well with turkey and pumpkin pie. www.roseacreswinery.com.

 

Mike Pence from Heartland Harvest Vineyard & Winery at Fort Madison recommends their Cranberry and Seyval Blanc. www.heartlandharvestwinery.com.

 

"At King’s Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Glenwood, we recommend our Princess Rachel’s Blush for a sweet wine and our La Crosse for a dry white wine," said Karen Foster. www.kingscrossingvineyard.com.

 

The Cranberry is Great! That’s the message from Dr. Ken Groninga, winemaker at Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls. www.eaglecitywinery.com.

 

“Cheers to Cherry,” toasts Julianna Hrasky from Prairie Crossing Vineyard and Winery in Treynor. Just in time for the holidays, it’s a sweet cherry wine with a hint of vanilla.  www.prairiecrossingwine.com.

 

Lisa Springer at Southern Hills Winery suggests Outback Zak which has a full cranberry taste (without the tartness) finished with a peppery kick.  Our Riesling-like Splendor in Glass as well as our You're Making Me Blush (similar to a White Zinfandel) are also good choices. www.shwinery.com.

 

At Little Swan Lake Winery in Estherville the choice is White Swan - made from Iowa LaCrosse grapes or our semi-dry Riesling. www.lslwinery.com.

Cheers!

 

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine magazine

Recently I ask Kristin McClarnon at Summerset Winery what wines she recommended for Thanksgiving Dinner. Here are her suggestions.

With each course of your Thanksgiving feast Summerset offers the perfect complement for every flavor.  To start your meal off right, open up a bottle of Vidal Blanc, Matina Blanc or Kiss Me.   These white wines are crisp, refreshing and divine with a light salad.  Depending on your taste the Vidal is dry with a citric edge, the Matina is semi-dry, full flavored and smooth, comparable to a Pinot Gris and the Kiss Me is semi-sweet comparable to a Riesling.

 

The Summerset signature wine, Caba Moch, is a gold medal winner and is absolutely delicious by itself, but to add a new twist this year try it with your traditional turkey dinner and dressing.  This Rosé style wine is light, fruity and slightly sweet that will not overpower the delicate flavors of your turkey - it creates a mouthwatering appeal that will enhance the flavors of your food for a perfectly balanced meal.  If serving red meat offer up the Marechal Foch.  Another gold medal winner, this dry red has soft tannins, spice, is lightly oaked and possesses the essence of raspberry and strawberry. 

 

It’s time for dessert… so pull out a bottle of Vintage Red or Concord.  These reds present an ideal addition if serving a heavy dessert.  The Vintage Red is a semi-dry blend, full flavored and robust with hints of cherries, currants & spice.  The Concord is a deep red, full of intense grape flavors.  On the lighter side, the Edelweiss, Harvest White or LaCrosse would enhance the flavors of a fruity dessert.  The Edelweiss is light and sweet with a green apple tart and hints of grapefruit and pineapple.  The Harvest White, our #2 seller, is an international gold medal winner and is made primarily of Catawba grapes.  It is sweet and tart with a hint of sweet pink grapefruit in the finish.  The LaCrosse is smooth and sweet with the essence of pear, peach and honey.

 

Your meal is complete… now take a nap.

 

By the way, Kristin said many folks have been asking about Summerset Mead and Festiva, and here’s the good news:

 

Our Mead is back!!!  Just in time for the holidays we have brought back not only our much missed Mead – but also our Festiva and Vidal Blanc!  For those of you that aren’t familiar with our Mead, it is fermented honey and is the perfect cold weather hot toddy when served warm and mulled with our special blend of spices.  You can also enjoy it chilled all by itself.  The Festiva is a sparkling wine similar to an Asti Spumante.  It is a delicious, sweet bubbly blend of white grapes.  Our Vidal Blanc is a delightfully crisp and refreshing white wine with a citric finish. 

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine

Inspiration for the Weekend as you Explore Midwest Wine Country!

Wineries in Midwest Wine Country hope that wine lovers think of them, if not first, then close to the top of the list as the season hits for holiday shopping.  Local wine makers, just like the farmers and suppliers at farmer’s markets, have a variety of high quality items for sale and know their neighbors’ support is what keeps them in business.  Read more.

Wine, by the bottle or the case, is a top choice for gift giving. Wine from Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and the other Midwest states may be made from grapes from local vineyards or from juice or grapes shipped in from around the world.

Choose wines from grapes that have been brought in, wines with familiar names such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel.  Or select wines from the locally-grown native and cold-hardy grapes: Concord, Marechal Foch, Swensen Red, Frontenac, Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Chardonnel, Vignoles, Catawba, Edelweiss, La Crosse, etc.

Fruit wines are popular too, and selections including blackberry, apple, cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb, cherry and raspberry.

Mead is another gift idea – that’s the name of the wine when honey is added.

You can stop in to taste wines at your neighborhood winery and select the wines you want to give. Ask the winemaker about their best-selling wines. Or, you can read descriptions of wines and order online from most Midwest wineries. Additionally you can taste wines from many Iowa wineries at Iowa’s Wine Cellar in Ames, or select popular Iowa wines to ship to various states on www.buyiowawines.com.

Wineries also offer wine-related items that make great gifts. You’ll find hand-blown glass bottle toppers, t-shirts and sweatshirts with clever sayings, wine glasses, wine and food pairing books, bottle openers and stoppers, decorative plaques, gift certificates and much more. Many wineries carry items from local artists – so poke around and see what’s wonderful.

Many wineries and wine trails have special events – dinners, live music, girl’s luncheons, trail events and fun, fun, fun! Find out what is coming up and purchase tickets to give to family and friends.

Midwest wineries have so much to offer … and you’ll love the big smiles when your gifts are opened.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko
Make Mine Wine magazine
www.makeminewinemagazine.com