Wine GUIDE

© ADOBE STOCK GUIDE | HISTORY Ancient Wine has been around for a long time. Some of the earliest wines found date to more than 7,000 years before the birth of Christ. Some of the first wines were made from fruits in China. Wines from date to about 4,000 years before Christ. Wines and viticulture spread with Greek and Roman culture and, eventually, to the new world.

WHAT DID ANCIENT WINES TASTE LIKE? According to a 2019 study in Nature Plants, the wine vari- etals we drink are basically the same genetically as the wines the ancient Romans drank. Researchers collected 28 seeds, about 2,500 years old, from nine ancient archaeolog- ical sites in France. All were genetically related to grapes grown today, and 16 of them were within one or two gener- ations of modern varieties. How it was made, though, was very different. In ancient © ADOBE STOCK Rome, after the grapes were harvested and stomped, the with honey. There was also an tained around 6,000 amphorae published in Analytical must be airtight, strong and juice was put in terracotta pots option to mix it with spices of what may be wine that date Chemistry in 2004, researchers resealable. The first wine jars lined with beeswax and bur- and herbs. to the first century B.C. So far, found tartaric acid, a com- were made from earthenware, ied. They were often left open researchers haven’t discovered pound with few sources other much like the amphorae to ferment before being WHERE DO WE FIND if the amphorae contain vino, than grapes, along with malvi- found in those Mediterranean sealed. According to David ANCIENT WINES? but it is one of the largest din-3-glucoside, the chemical shipwrecks. Evidence also Suzuki with the CBC, the Ancient wines are often wrecks found in the Eastern that imparts color to red wine. exists that wine was transport- resulting wine was nearly found in archaeological sites, Mediterranean. Wines are also ed in goatskins, and, of course, unpalatable to today’s drink- like shipwrecks. The University common tomb goods. Red WINE STORAGE barrels. Glass bottles didn’t ers. The Romans mixed it with of Patras found a shipwreck in wine was found in the tomb of For any wine storage vessel, emerge until the 1600s in seawater and/or sweetened it the Mediterranean that con- King Tutankhamen. In a study certain things must be true. It Portugal. WINE GUIDE | TRADITIONS Making a Toast Sometimes, part of enjoying a great bottle of wine with friends is giving a great toast. Here’s some advice for making your toast one they’ll never forget.

HISTORY Toastmasters International (we think they’d know) says toasting was common among ancient Hebrews, Persians and Egyptians. The Romans also toasted, as did the Huns and Greeks. In the sixth cen- tury B.C., poison was a con- cern and toasting was a way to prove a drink was safe to drink. In Europe and England, the clinking of glass- es accompanied the ritual, which may have been a way to mix the drinks and, again, lessen the danger of poison- ing.

ORIGINS OF THE WORD According to the word- smiths at Merriam-Webster, toast comes from actual toast, like the browned bread. The shared term comes from the practice of immersing © ADOBE STOCK browned spiced bread in a drink after wishes of health or was then usually discarded. master who presides over the each toast. However, it’s con- and hold a silence long goodwill in honor or celebra- meal with skilled oratory. A sidered disgraceful for the enough to be noticed. Do not, tion of a person. The glasses TOASTMASTERS proper Georgian toast, Wine tamada to get drunk. the institute says, bang on are then clinked together and Toastmasters became pop- Folly says, begins when a your glassware or clear your sipped or pounded, depend- ular as toasting became more tamada proposes a toast and KEEP IT SIMPLE throat repeatedly. Then, speak ing on the drinker. The reason popular. Toastmasters drinks his entire glass of wine. A toast is a gracious means from the heart and keep it to add toast to the drink was International says toastmas- The next guest then proposes of calling attention to shared short. Also, keep eye contact to make it more palatable by ters presided over events. In a toast and then drains his gifts, the Emily Post Institute with your audience and make soaking up acid and any bit- Georgia, where wine has its glass. Toasters hold their says. Start by filling your glass, it personal, but be gracious terness in the wine. The bread roots, the tamada is a toast- glasses up and drink after then stand up, raise your glass and not overly witty. WINE GUIDE | WINERIES

© ADOBE STOCK Celebrity Wines Winemaking is one of the latest celebrity ronmental organizations. for 150 years until Sting and started his vineyard, Skywalker, Trudie bought it in 1999. 20 years ago in California. trends. Singers, actors, sports stars and more SARAH JESSICA PARKER are wading into the vineyard either by buying Invivo X is the actress’s label. DREW BLEDSOE ERNIE ELS It’s won more than 200 medals The former NFL quarterback The South African golfer their own or partnering with an existing in international wine competi- started Doubleback Winery in started his winery in his native operation. Here are some celebrities raising tions, including the world’s his native Washington. It gives South Africa. It produces a full best . to charities, including charities line of wines under the Big a glass to their label’s success. in children’s health and well- Easy, Ernie Els and Ernie Els JEFF GORDON ness, military fundraisers, Proprietor’s labels. JON BON JOVI maker Jayson Pahlmeyer in D Founded in 2004, the race disaster relief and cancer The “Livin’ on a Prayer” sing- Wade Cellars. The label fea- car driver’s label draws from research. KYLE MACLACHLAN er and his son, Jesse Bongiovi, tures a , a vineyards in Napa and Sonoma The actor’s Washington State co-founded the brand rose and a red blend. counties. CHRIS JERICHO winery is called Pursued by Hampton Water. The popular The wrestling champion Bear. It produces reds and rose. rose is made of a blend of gre- DAVE MATTHEWS STING makes a sparkling wine called nache, cinsault and mourverde The singer paired up with The singer runs il Palagio in “A Little Bit of the Bubbly,” a KURT RUSSELL grapes. Sean McKenzie in Dreaming Tuscany with his wife, Trudie. collaboration with All Elite The actor and his wife, Tree Wines in California. The It’s a 17th-century estate that Wrestling and Nocking Point. Goldie Hawn, started Gogi DWAYNE WADE winery, which is committed to was sold in 1819 to the Wines after taking bicycle trips The former NBA star part- sustainability, has donated Countess Carlotta Barbolani of GEORGE LUCAS through the wine regions of nered with Napa Valley wine- more than $1.5 million to envi- Montauto. Her family kept it The “Star Wars” filmmaker France, Italy and California. WINE GUIDE | WINE IN THE U.S. Where’s your Bottle From? We all know about California, but there are many U.S. states that make wine. Here’s more about some less-common wine regions of the U.S.

NEW YORK STATE The Empire State is one of the oldest and largest wine- producing states in the U.S. The & Grape Foundation says the industry generates more than $13.8 bil- lion for the state. The wine regions of New York include Long Island, the Hudson River, Finger Lakes and the Upper Hudson. Some New York vari- etals include , pinot © ADOBE STOCK noir, , and Delaware.

VIRGINIA America’s oldest wine grape, the Norton, was born in Virginia. Wine made from the Norton was named the “best red wine of all nations” at the Vienna World’s Fair in 1873 and won a gold medal at the Paris World’s Fair of 1889, says. The state is known for its Bordeaux-style the state. American grape hybrids. MICHIGAN in 25 miles of Lake Michigan. red blends. There are five wine trails that PENNSYLVANIA MISSOURI wind through the more than COLORADO TEXAS Pennsylvania has 14,000 Missouri Rhineland is one 3,000 acres under cultivation Colorado’s vineyards are in The Lone Star State started acres of grape-growing land of the most famous wines in Michigan. Most of those the high-elevation river valleys growing vines in 1662. Today, and more than 300 wineries in from the Show-Me State. The grow more than 30 varieties of and mesas. They are among it has more than 4,000 acres five designated viticultural state is home to the country’s wine grapes, both old world some of the highest vineyards under production. Texas has areas. The state’s wine indus- first designated viticultural and new. The state’s wine in the world, the Colorado almost 20 wine trails for oeno- try claims its climate is more area. The first wineries were industry credits its success to wine industry says. The state philes to visit, and the indus- like Europe and produces an established in Missouri in the the Great Lakes. Most of the has more than 150 licensed try generates $13.1 billion for ideal terroir for French- 1850s. wineries in Michigan are with- wineries. WINE GUIDE | TRENDS Cannabis-Infused Wines THC and CBD are ingredient in marijuana that some people say relieves anxi- everywhere these ety, movement disorders and days, and that includes pain. Cannawine combines cannabinoids with Spanish your wine bottle. wine made from garnacha and carinana grapes. Unlike Rebel As legalized marijuana Coast, Cannawine can com- spreads across the country, bine alcohol with their canna- more and more vintners are binoids, because it’s the adding it to their wines. non-psychoactive part of the Sommeliers and cannabis plant. enthusiasts are realizing that marijuana pairs with food like HOUSE OF SAKA fine wines and even pairs with House of Saka is focused on wines and other beverages. a female demographic with pink and sparkling pink wines KNOW WHAT’S LEGAL emulsified with CBD and THC Remember that marijuana is on a microscopic level. The not legal everywhere yet. company says this technology Check your local regulations allows for immediate absorp- before shopping, consuming tion of the psychoactive ingre- or bringing cannabis-infused dients. Like Rebel Coast, wines home. Also, check with House of Saka is also alco- your health care provider. hol-free. Cannabis can interact with certain medications. Jamie CANNAVINES Evans, a wine business gradu- These cannabis-infused ate and cannabis/wine advo- muscadine wines from the cate who founded The Herb Napa Valley are spiked with Somm, advises that to find CBD derived from cannabis what works for you, start with sativa. It makes three wines: a low doses and go slow. red blend, a chardonnay and a rose. Cannavines says its prod- REBEL COAST uct reduces hangover symp- Legally, this California win- toms and decreases anxiety. ery is not allowed to mix alco- hol and THC, or delta-9-tetra- OTHER PAIRINGS hydrocannabinol, the active Wine and cannabis go ingredient in marijuana. So together in more ways than they ferment Sonoma grapes, just in the bottle. In a Wine then remove the alcohol (and Enthusiast article, more and the calories) and replace it more chefs and connoiseurs with fast-acting THC. There are talk about pairing marijuana 40mg of THC in each bottle of strains with food, as with wine, Rebel Coast. and pairing them with wines. Again, refer to local regula- © ADOBE STOCK CANNAWINE tions on marijuana and alco- Cannabidiol is a non-active hol consumption. WINE GUIDE | HIT THE ROAD U.S. Wine Festivals There are great wine festivals all across the country, and hitting the road with a wine destination in mind is a great way to spend a vacation. Here’s a list of 2020 wine fes- tivals around the country that you might want to attend. If none of these float your boat, hit your local travel agent for a custom trip.

WEST Willcox Wine Spring Festival, May 15-17, 2020, Willcox, Arizona: There are 15 of Arizona’s best wineries along with other vendors, including arts and entertainment. Part of the festival raises money for the Northern Cochise Community Hospital. It’s rated as one of the top 10 wine festi- vals in North American by Fodor’s Travel. Denver International Wine Festival, Nov. 11-12, 2020, Westminster, Colorado: This four-day festival includes a food and wine pairing compe- tition with Colorado chefs, a taste of 400 wines, seminars and wine tours. © ADOBE STOCK Savor Idaho, June 14, 2020, Boise, Idaho: Held at the Idaho Center, this festival includes EAST This island festival raises Toast Nebraska, May 15-16, Botanical Garden, this even fine wines and local cuisine. Wine in the Woods, May money for charity. 2020, Omaha: The festival fea- features Idaho food and wine New Orleans Wine & Food 16-17, 2020, Columbia, tures more than 100 Nebraska in one experience. Experience, March 18-22, Maryland: This festival fea- MIDWEST wines along with artisans, live 2020, New Orleans: This giant tures more than 25 wineries, Story Inn Indiana Wine Fair, music, food and yard games. SOUTH festival features more than artisans and musicians. May 2, 2020, Story, Indiana: Ice Wine Festival, March 7, Art of Wine, June 11-12, 1,000 wines from around the Nantucket Wine & Food There will be a judging of 200 14, and 21, 2020, Ohio: This 2020, Fayetteville, Arkansas: A world and raises money for Festival, May 13-17, 2020, wines, with a bonus award for festival is held at vineyards fundraiser for the Walton Arts local nonprofits. Nantucket, Massachusettts: an Indiana-grown wine. around northeast Ohio. WINE GUIDE | TYPES OF WINE Embracing the Big Chill Ice wine is a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that froze solid while still on the vine. While the water in the grape freezes, the sugars and other dissolved solids do not, resulting in a concentrated juice and a very sweet wine.

Canada and Germany are the world’s largest producers of ice wine, which, in many coun- tries, must freeze naturally in order to be called ice wine. Keep reading for more about this exceptional wine.

HISTORY Ice wine is believed to have originated in Germany in the late 1700s when freezing weather struck Germany before a grape crop could be harvested. In German, ice wine is called eiswein.

PROCESSING Ice wine is made from frozen grapes, of course, and those © ADOBE STOCK grapes are also picked and pro- cessed frozen, which means ice less acidic it becomes. The well in cold climates work best look toward salty hors d’oeu- degrees in a white wine or des- wine production needs a large experts at Wine Folly say a well- for ice wine. These include cab- vres, oysters, strong cheeses sert glass. There’s also the tulip- labor force available at a aged ice wine should be a syr- ernet franc, merlot, , and rich, high-fat dishes like shaped ice wine glass. For moment’s notice on the first upy, rich wine that’s a deep chenin blanc and . foie gras. The extreme sweet- enhanced flavors, chill the cold day. That’s one reason why bronze color. Look for flavors Because this wine is so ness also goes well with spicy glasses before pouring. ice wines are more rare and of molasses, maple and hazel- sweet, pair it with fatty, subtle cuisine. Think spicy Asian or The wine shouldn’t be usually more expensive. nut. desserts. Try cheesecake, ice Cajun dishes. decanted, Wine Folly says. It’s Ice wines are aged, usually cream, custards, panna cotta or typically served in a two-ounce up to 10 years, and fermented VARIETIES AND PAIRINGS white chocolate mousse. If SERVING pour, which is half the typical slowly. The longer it ages, the Of course, grapes that grow you’re serving a savory dish, Pour ice wines at 45-55 wine pour. WINE GUIDE | RESOURCE

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