Thank you to everyone who has visited Make Mine Wine blog.
The first blog was posted on October 9, 2006 — Tailgating Tips. Like many of my early posts, I did not add tags or categories. That seems pretty funny today.
Once again, thank you and I look forward to keeping you informed on the wines, grapes, wineries and events in Midwest Wine Country.
Cheers!
Barbara Rasko, Publisher, Make Mine Wine
How do you imagine a cork tree would look? If you were going to make one, what construction method would you use?
In 2006 I posted a photo of a cork Christmas tree that was made by gluing wine corks together into a smooth cone and attaching small ornaments.
I recently received an elaborate cork Christmas tree uses various sized wine corks. The corks were drilled to allow a dowel to be placed through the center and wires were inserted into corks to create branches. This one is complete with lights, grape cluster ornaments and an angel tree topper. Neat!
Another reader chose to create wine cork palm trees — creative and fun.
The trees will be shown in the next issue of Make Mine Wine which will come out in November.
In the meantime, let me know how you have — or would — construct a cork tree.
Cheers!
Barbara Rasko, Publisher, Make Mine Wine
Iowa’s Premier Wine & Food Expo Presented by Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee Hall, Downtown Des Moines – November 13-14, 2009
Iowa wine lovers who craft their own wine gather fruit or ingredients, crush, add water and sugar and yeast, wait through fermentation and rack again and again until the wine is clear. When the wine is stable, it is time to bottle and then wait for six months or a year to taste the fruits of their efforts, hoping it turned out just as they planned. When the wine is good, they like to spread the news…. and hope they can get it to turn out just the same the next time!
The new Amateur Wine Competition at Iowa’s Premier Wine & Food Expo will offer the winning winemakers bragging rights and visitors to the Expo a peek into the world of homemade winemaking.
The contest is only open to local wine clubs and hobbyists – commercial wineries cannot apply – and is sponsored by Make Mine Wine Magazine, Indianola, Iowa and BlueStem Winery, Parkersburg, Iowa.
Judging will be held Saturday, November 7 in the Hy-Vee Hall Business Center. The award-winning wines will be featured November 13-14 in Hy-Vee Hall at Iowa’s Premier Wine & Food Expo, and all winning entries will be on display on the event floor in a designated contest area. Judges will critique the wines based on color, aroma, body, taste and finish. All winemakers will receive their score sheet with judges comments, which may be helpful when they start on their next batch of wine.
Prizes include certificates for each winner, ribbon for Best of Show, a subscription to Make Mine Wine Magazine, gift certificates for wine making supplies at BlueStem Winery, along with various other rewards. Gold and silver may be awarded in each flight. Contestants should note that judges reserve the right to combine categories when the number of entries is insufficient.
Entry guidelines The deadline for entries is Friday, October 2 at 5 p.m., and the entry fee is $2.50 per bottle. One Wine and Food Expo ticket (valued at $20) will be provided for every two bottles entered. Entry forms will be accepted by mail at: Iowa Events Center, Amateur Wine Competition, 730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, or forms can be delivered to the Administration Offices in Hy-Vee Hall, to the attention of Holly Kjeldgaard or in Parkersburg at BlueStem Winery, which is located at 305 Third Street. The full entry fee must accompany the form, which is available online at www.iowaeventscenter.com/wineandfood. Once the completed form is submitted, entry tags will be mailed and are to be completed and placed on each wine bottle. Tags must be filled out completely to ensure accurate judging. Entries without tags will not be judged.
Rules - Exhibitors may submit four exhibits per class per household, but each exhibit must be significantly different in style, taste and ingredients used – Entries must list major ingredients (type grape, berry, etc.) and sugar percentage – Entries must have been processed by fermentation, and produced and bottled exclusively by entrant – Wines must be free of artificial coloring and/or flavor enhancers – No commercial wines are allowed – Wines should be in standard wine bottles, at least 16 ounces, with labels removed and entry tag attached – Contest is open to Iowa residents only – Note: Management will use diligence to ensure the safety of articles after their arrival and placement, but in no case will they be responsible for any loss or damage that may occur.
Classes Class 1 – Grape Wine 1. Dry Red (Vinifera) 2. Dry White (Vinifera) 3. Sweet Red (Vinifera) 4. Sweet White (Vinifera) 5. Sparkling (grape) 6. Dry Red (Native/Hybrid) 7. Dry White (Native/Hybrid) 8. Sweet Red (Native/Hybrid) 9. Sweet White (Native/Hybrid) Class 2 – Non-Grape Wines 1. Dry Fruit 2. Sweet Fruit 3. Dry Berry 4. Sweet Berry 5. Rhubarb 6. Dry Vegetable or Flower 7. Sweet Vegetable or Flower 8. Sparkling (non-grape) Class 3 – Meads and Ciders 1. Dry Mead 2. Sweet Mead 3. Cider
Did You Know? – According to the Iowa Grape and Wine Development Commission, there are currently 410 commercial vineyards covering more than 1,200 acres in Iowa, compared to 1999 when there were only 13 wineries, 15 growers and 31 acres of commercial vineyards in the state. – As of January 2009, there are 72 federally licensed wineries in Iowa – As of November 2007, Iowa was ranked 14th in number of wineries and 23rd in total wine production – Native wine sales equaled 176,185 gallons in 2008 – Iowa adults consumed approximately 1.7 gallons (or 8.5) bottles in 2008 – The national adult average consumption was 3.2 gallons (16 bottles) in 2008 Information as seen in the Spring 2009 Make Mine Wine Magazine and provided by Mike White, Viticulture Field Specialist, Iowa State Extension Service, Iowa State University.
ABOUT IOWA’S PREMIER WINE AND FOOD EXPO, PRESENTED BY HY-VEE • Live demonstrations will be taking place in the Celebrity Kitchen Theater by popular celebrity chefs, including Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” and Duff Goldman, host of “Ace of Cakes” on the Food Network. • The celebrities will participate in meet and greets and autograph sessions in Hockenberg’s Celebrity Meet ‘n Greet Zone. Autographs are on a first come first served basis as time allows. •
Celebrities aren’t the only ones with a chance to show off their culinary skills. The Vittles to Vines Stage will showcase local and regional chefs. • The Emporium features retail, food and service vendors from all over the Midwest. • Buy it, leave it, and take it home, or BLT. When attendees purchase items at Iowa’s Premier Wine & Food Expo, they can leave those items at the convenient, on-site drop-off location at no charge and free their hands for more shopping. • The Sampling Zone will be open for individuals to try various beers, wines and spirits for only $12 (must be 21 years of age to sample). When guests are finished at the Sampling Zone, they can visit the Hy-Vee Wine Shop to purchase their favorite sampled bottle of wine or specialty beer.
What a great idea for holiday gifts! • Regular tickets are priced at $20 for the day or $35 for both days and are on sale now. Children six and under are admitted into the show FREE of charge. Tickets are available at the Wells Fargo Arena Ticket Office, all area Dahl’s Foods locations, online at dahlstickets.com, or charge by phone at 866-55-DAHLS. • The full schedule and detailed information can be found at www.iowaeventscenter.com/wineandfood. • Sponsors of Iowa’s Premier Wine & Food Expo include Hy-Vee, WHO Channel 13, Des Moines Register, Iowa Pork Producers Assn, Iowa Turkey Federation, Iowa Beef Industry Council and Hockenberg’s. Produced by Global Spectrum.
About Make Mine Wine Make Mine Wine and the Make Mine Wing blog offer weekend inspiration with regional wine, go-with recipes, fun, getaway, home and entertaining ideas for wine lovers. The magazine immerses the novice or more sophisticated wine lover in the culture of wine, specifically in Iowa and the Midwest. Advertisers reach women and discretionary income that make most of the decisions on where to spend money on things they love: dining, travel, home décor, entertainment, shopping, personal, financial and medical services, and more. The Make Mine Wine audience enjoys wine as pat of a lifestyle choice that involves family, friends and fun. Make Mine Wine is published by Rasko Publishing LLC., founded in 2006 and headquartered in Indianola, IA. For more information or to subscribe to Make Mine Wine ($12.72 per year) call 515-962-5515. The Midwest wine events list and the Make Mine Wine blog are on line at www.makeminewinemagazine.com. Follow @MakeMineWine at www.twitter.com
About BlueStem Winery Vern Holms made his first batch of wine in 1976 and today produces and sells wine and offers wine-making classes at BlueStem Winery. At www.bluestemwine.com he sells beer-brewing and winemaking supplies and kits to more than 3,000 customers in numerous countries and in all 50 states. BlueStem Winery is located at 305 Third Street, Parkersburg, Iowa.
Add some fun to your weekend when you attend one of these events … or choose one for each day!
El Dorados, lawn games, wine, beer and grilled food at Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flag Parkway, Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, September 17. 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Sunset in the Vineyard, El Dorados at Penoach Winery, 26759 N. Ave, Adel, Iowa, Friday, September 18. 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Billy Club at Snus Hill Winery, 2183 320th Street, Madrid, Iowa, Friday, September 18. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Beers, Wine, Cars, BBQ and Music at Southern Hills Winery, 1400 West Clay Street, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, September 19.
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Classic Cars on Display and BBQ by Junction Creamery
7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Music by Katdaddy55
Serving Southern Hills Wine and Iowa-made Olde Main Brewing Company and Millstream Brewing Company beers.
2nd Annual Apple Festival at Penoach Winery, 26759 N. Ave, Adel, Iowa, Saturday, September 19. 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wine tasting, horse and carriage rides, apples, pumpkins, face painting, fall fun!
Back Stage Boogie Band at Dale Valley Winery, 3097 285th Street, Stuart, Iowa, Saturday, September 19. 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday Tunes, Soul Searchers at Summerset Winery, Indianola, Iowa, Sunday, September 20. 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Ashanti at Snus Hill Winery, 2183 320th Street, Madrid, Iowa, Sunday, September 20. 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Your Iowa wineries are ready to entertain you. Go have some fun!
Cheers!
Barbara Rasko, Publisher
Make Mine Wine
