Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Fall Football Wines

At virtually every sporting event an game watch I go to, I withstand a certain amount of ridicule for preferring wine to beer. It is true that we are in the minority when it comes to preferred beverages inside stadiums, and the options can be crap. Why there can be a dozen microbrews available at Wrigley Field and I am stuck choosing between red and white Sutter Home shows what we are up against.

And yet, it is all worth it. Let your friends root around in the ice tub for a beer. If you like wine, drink wine. If you choose correctly, you might even convert some people to the cause.

For football wines, I am a big fan of big, bold Zinfandels, lighter, smokey Bonardas and, of course, Virginia Cabernet Francs. Any of these make watching a game all the more enjoyable.

So, with football season right around the corner, I'm getting ready to yell "go Irish!" on Saturdays, "go Bears!" on Sundays and hope I don't do it around white sofas because there will be a glass of red wine in my hand.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Americans Love Their Wine

For those of you who haven't heard, Americans lover their wine. This trend has been growing for some time, and it was recently reported that the United States now consumes wine than any other country in the world. Good job everyone. Let's keep it up! You know that some countries - I'm looking at you France - are going to double their efforts to regain their prominence as the world's top wine consumers.

The trend towards wine has become so pronounced that even morning news shows are starting to take notice. Recently, CBS' The Early Show aired a segment on American winegrowers and American wine consumption. It is a good piece that discusses the American wine market and new, boutique American winemakers.

One of my favorite Finger Lakes wineries, Heart and Hands, was profiled as one of the new breed of high-quality, boutique American wineries that is meeting the growing demand.

I would suggest you check out the Early Show segment and, more importantly, keep supporting your local wineries. Heart and Hands is just one example of the great quality wine being made in small batches in places like the Finger Lakes and Virginia.

High-quality and local wine consumption is trend that should continue.