Visitors to wineries can sample wines, tour wineries … and learn about grapes. It is fun to be in the know about the grapes and their wines. This is the first of several postings to help you sort out the flavors of the Midwest grapes.
Of course, you will find Zinfandel, Catawba and Cabernet Sauvignon and other familiar wines made by Midwest wine makers. When you do, know that the grapes or juice has been brought in from another state. Why? Because the tender grapes behind these well-known wines just can’t take Midwest winters.
You’ll find wines made from native grapes that you may already be familiar with… like the Concord which has been hanging around in Midwest winters for years. I remember my Grandmother’s Concord jelly … and today the majority of Concord grapes are still made into jam, jelly and juice. Of course, plenty is used for sweet wine, and you’ll find popular Concord red wines at many Midwest tasting rooms.
Concord
Park Farm Winery, Bankston, IA — Sweet Old Timer is made from Concord grapes and sweetened to match its natural acidity. With its assertive fragrance and flavor, this distinctive wine will bring back the sweet memories of the good old days.
Jasper Winery, Newton, IA — Lucy Lane is delectably sweet and rich in flavor. A blend of several grapes, although classic Concord aromas and flavor are easily discerned.
Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, Decorah, IA – Concord has a fruity bouquet that smells like grandma’s jam.
Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls, IA — American Concord is a sweet, heavily bodied red wine that is fruity and highly aromatic.
Sugar Clay Winery, Thurman, IA – 2006 Concord is rich in color with a fragrance of grape jelly and an earthy essence.
Breezy Hills Vineyard, Minden, IA — Misbehavin’ is a nice blend of Concord and Edelweiss.
Fireside Winery, Marengo, IA – Serenade is slightly sweet and full-bodied with the aromatic bouquet and flavor for which Concord is famous, yet offers a different twist with a slightly dry finish.
Heartland Harvest Winery, Fort Madison, IA — Concord has great Country grape flavor and is drier than most Concord wines.
Prairie Moon Winery, Ames, IA — Honey Moon Red is a sweet red concord wine that is sweetened with a little bit of honey.
Rosey Acres Winery, Runnels, IA – Concord has the taste and flavor of good old-fashioned grape wine.
Most grapes used for wine in the Midwest are not native, so you’ll find wines made from cold-hardy grapes like Frontenac, introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1996. If you prefer dry to sweet, the wines made from Frontenac may be for you. Frontenac has a deep garnet color and cherry aroma. Here is a sample of full bodied reds, rosés, and Port wines created from Frontenac grapes by Iowa winemakers.
Frontenac
Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA — 2006 Iowa Frontenac presents the essence of tart cherries in a light-bodied red wine made entirely from Frontenac grapes grown in Mahaska County, Iowa.
Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA — 2007 Iowa Frontenac Rosé, is made entirely from Frontenac grapes grown in Mahaska County, Iowa. This wine is light, fruity, and best served chilled.
Eagle’s Landing Winery, Marquette, IA — Rohde Red is a vintage of the Frontenac, Marechal Foch and Valiant Grapes, creating a dry, full bodied red wine. Grown in their vineyard, it has a light oak finish
Eagle’s Landing Winery, Marquette, IA – Port of Marquette is a port-style wine from Frontenac and Marechal Foch grapes.
Prairie Crossing Vineyard, Treynor, IA — Frontenac is a dry red made from 100% Frontenac grapes grown in Iowa. Their Frontenac wine is a lighter dry red with a black licorice nose and subtle oak characteristics.
Two Saints Winery, St. Charles, IA — 2006 Frontenac is a full-bodied dry red wine with a dark berry bouquet. You will find dark juicy berry flavors, licorice and a whisper of mocha that leads you to a lush, velvety finish.
John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, Tama, IA — Lincoln Highway Red is a blend of their Frontenac and Merlot wines. Medium bodied with a semi-sweet taste.
Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, IA — Frontenac Dessert Wine is a sweet fortified ruby port style wine for sipping.
Danish Countryside Vines & Wines — Sweet Caroline, a semi-dry red made with Frontenac grapes.
You may want to track your samplings of wines from the Concord and Frontenac grapes. Discover your favorites.
Join me next time when we meet two more red grapes.
Cheers!
Barbara Rasko
Make Mine Wine
Make Mine Wine Magazine 