Indiana Grape Harvest Finished Earlier But With Less Yield

 Larry Satek, owner and winemaker at Satek Winery, 6208 N. Van Guilder Rd., Fremont, Indiana, (260) 495-9463, provides this report on his harvest.

This year's September 1 start to the harvest is one of the earliest we have ever had in the 18 years we have been growing grapes. Only once before, about 1997, we had a very warm year and harvest started in late August. Indeed, this year the entire harvest is over before the harvest even started in 2009 or 2008.

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Yet the warm, dry summer made for good grapes. All the grapes in Northeastern Indiana have wonderful "chemistry" as well as great flavor this year. The dry summer made for smaller grape berries, which makes for better wines. The sugars were great, but as we pointed out last month, the pH and flavors - the most important parameters - are wonderful. We have high expectations for this year's crop. We wish there were more grapes, but the May 10 frost damaged some of the vineyards and reduced the crop in those vineyards. Other vineyards escaped damage, or only had minimal damage. Such is the life of a grape farmer or a corn farmer, where weather has such a huge say in the final crop.

And, with the good growing season, we will attempt to do battle with the birds, deer, raccoons, and other

critters and make another Vidal Blanc Ice Wine. Our 2008 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine won a double gold medal and was named the Indiana Wine of the Year. We hope we can match that effort.

But beginning in spring of 2011, start looking for 2010 vintage Midwest wines. All factors indicate they should be really good.

-contributed by Larry Satek

St. Julian Promotes Nancie Corum to Head Winemaker

 (PAW PAW, Mich) – The harvest season has begun for St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw – and this year, that harvest is a little sweeter for Nancie Corum, who has just been promoted to head winemaker after nine seasons with Michigan’s oldest and longest-operating winery.

Corum, the first professional commercial female winemaker in Michigan, just graduated from Purdue University-Indiana University in West Lafayette, IN, with a Master of Science degree in Food and Agribusiness Management. In November, she will complete the MBA portion of her degree. The program awards a master of science in 21 months from the college of agriculture and an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Aside from the five one-week residence sessions, Corum completed her courses online, allowing her to maintain her full-time position on the winemaking team at St. Julian.

Corum was born in Bloomington, IL but grew up in Lafayette, IN, graduating from Purdue University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Food Manufacturing Operations and double minors in Agribusiness Management and Organizational Leadership & Supervision. While at Purdue, Nancie was a member of several organizations, including Kapa Alpha Theta, Institute of Food Technologists and the American Wine Society.

During the course of her undergraduate studies, Corum assisted enologist Dr. Richard Vine in making wine as a part of Purdue’s grape and wine research program, as well as assisting in the coordination of the esteemed Indy International Wine Competition. She completed an internship at Geyser Peak Winery in California, under the tutelage of winemaker Daryl Groom. Although the experience of working in the famed Sonoma County provided great opportunities, Corum was passionate about getting back to the Midwest to join the growing wine industry here.

In August 2002, Corum joined St. Julian as a lab manager and enologist. Her contributions over the years have included making continued improvements to the winery’s Quality Assurance and Quality Control lab. She was promoted to Assistant Winemaker in May 2003 and to Associate Winemaker in August 2008.

Corum steps into the shoes of Dr. David Miller, who served 13 years as a winemaker at St. Julian. Earlier this summer, Miller stepped out on his own to open his own winery in Southwest Michigan.

As head winemaker, her responsibilities include managing all aspects of harvest, development and implementation of the sensory evaluation program for St. Julian’s wholesalers and trade accounts, overseeing
day-to-day activity in the wine cellar, managing juice and wine sales to more than 250 bulk customer accounts, representing grocery-chain private-label accounts and serving as a judge in several international wine competitions each year.

The family-owned St. Julian winery, Michigan’s oldest and longest-operating winery, was founded in 1921. It is one of 12 wineries to make up the Lake Michigan Shore Appellation – a designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) and is part of the Southwest Michigan Wine Trail. In 2011, St. Julian will proudly celebrate its 90th Anniversary.

White Winemaking Experience Set for Round Barn Winery in Michigan

  The Round Barn Winery, 10983 Hills Road, Baroda, Michigan, (800) 716-9463, is offering a unique opportunity for you to make your own wine on October 2 and 3.

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Are you looking to "live your dream?" Round Barn Winery can help you do it by giving you a chance to be a winemaker for a couple of days. They even narrowed it down to the two best days of the year... harvest and bottling. After picking grapes from their vineyard, the Round Barn winemaker and staff will guide you in crafting two cases of your very own wine. Appetizers and wine are provided for both days and these events are limited to 20 couples each.

The best part? Even if Robert Parker doesn't give you 90 points your friends and family will still be impressed

The cost per two people is $475.

Wine Tastings & Events: September 29 – October 2

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Wednesday, September 29
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Oddball varietals: 1. Pfaffl “Austrian Pepper” Gruner Veltliner, 2. Derose Vineyard “Continental” Cabernet, 3. Kenneth Volk Negrette, 4. Seppeltsfield “Cellar No. 7″ Tawny. Nominal fee per sample or $9.50 per flight.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. French wines. $15.

 

Manhattan's Restaurant, 1516 Adams Street, Toledo. Wine Tasting with Uptown Vineyard. 6:30 PM. $15. Five wines and appetizers. In Union Square room. Reservations required. E-mail info@uptownvineyard.com or call (866) 276-1984.

 

Thursday, September 30

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Cabernet Sauvignons between $10 and $20: 1. J. Lohr – Paso Robles, California, 2. Rodney Strong – Sonoma County, California, 3. Chateau Ste Michelle – Indian Wells – Columbia Valley, Washington, 4. R Collection – Napa Valley, California. Nominal fee per sample or $8 flight. 
 

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. A Tour of Bordeaux and other French Wines: 1. Domaine de Pajot Cote de Gasgon, 2. Chateau Granville-Lacoste Graves Blanc, 3.  Domaine du Pavillon de Chauannes Cote de Brouilly Beaujolais, 4. Chateau du Pavillon Bordeaux, 5. Chateau Senejac Cru Bourgeois, 6. Chateau Ormes de Pez Saint Esteph, 7. Chateau Haut-Batailley Pauillac, 8. Chateau du Tertre Margaux. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. French  wines. $15. 
 
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.The Super Tuscans. So what happens when you you decide to blend traditional Italian grapes (mainly Sangiovese) with non-traditional varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot? Well, Italian winemakers who tried this 20-30 years ago were belittled and ostracized. Now? The Super Tuscans are among the greatest wines Italy has to offer. The highlight of this tasting will be the 2004 Ornellaia, one of the top Super Tuscans. Ornellaia samples will be $15, or $8 for a half. Only one bottle. Nominal fee per sample.

Friday, October 1

* Special Event * Wine by the Glass Pavilion, Toledo Museum of Art. 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Drop-in wine tasting: Fall Friendly Wines. Enjoy four wines, light snacks and a view of the Glass Pavilion Hot Shop. $15 members, $20 non-members.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. 

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM.The Super Tuscans. So what happens when you you decide to blend traditional Italian grapes (mainly Sangiovese) with non-traditional varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot? Well, Italian winemakers who tried this 20-30 years ago were belittled and ostracized. Now? The Super Tuscans are among the greatest wines Italy has to offer. The highlight of this tasting will be the 2004 Ornellaia, one of the top Super Tuscans. Ornellaia samples will be $15, or $8 for a half. Only one bottle. Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, October 2
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM. 1. Grayson 2008 Chardonnay Calfornia, 2. Starling Castle Riesling Germany, 3. Vino Family 2005 Cabernet Franc, 4. Firesteed 2007 Pinot Noir Oregon. Nominal fee per sample or $2 flight.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 PM. USA Boutique wines with Adam Mahler of Ampelography. Pay by the sample or flight.

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]

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Mark the Calendar: Wine Affair and Wine Gala Scheduled In Toledo for November

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Toledo has a wine double-header of epic proportions in November, so mark your calendars appropriately.

The 23rd Annual Wine Gala to benefit Mobile Meals of Toledo is scheduled 6:00 PM Saturday, November 6, at the Stranahan Great Hall. The event will feature wine tasting and appetizers, a sit-down dinner and an auction of fine wines. The black-tie optional event will also feature a silent auction, raffle and entertainment by Touched.

The 19th Annual Wine Affair will be held 6:30 PM Friday, November 19, at Parkway Place in Maumee. The event will feature wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and silent and live auctions. The event will benefit the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio and will be emceed by Chrys Peterson.

More details will be provided in the near future. Don’t miss these opportunities to benefit great causes while sampling superb wine.

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Niagara Peninsula Ontario Winery Visit: Fielding Estate Winery

Another in our series of Niagara Peninsula Ontario winery reports.

Fielding Estate Winery’s cedar, stone and glass lodge-style tasting room is set high on the Beamsville Bench in a wonderfully wooded area of the Niagara Escarpment. The large windows provide a great showcase for the vineyards – and also for viewing a downpour (we made it inside just before the sky opened up).

Fielding is one of the top 10 wineries in Canada and it is easy to see why. The tasting room is a real showcase and it has a diverse catalog of wines with friendly, professional staff.

I started with the complimentary sample of the 2008 Gewürztraminer. This had a dash of spice and ginger along with tropical fruit. We found this to be not as aggressive as some of the Ontario Gewurz we have tried. Although I like the floral aspect of Gewurztraminer, Green Dragon doesn’t. She found this to be a very pleasant surprise.

Fielding concentrates on wine varieties that perform well in their vineyards, for white wine this includes Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. One of their popular white blends is White Conception and we tried the 2008 vintage. The blend includes Pinot Gris, Chardonnay Musque, Gewurz, Riesling and Chardonnay. That’s quite a mouthful! This had flavor notes of honeysuckle, pears and almond. The flavors were not as complex as I would have hoped. This goes for $18.95 CA and is an enjoyable bottle.

To keep my balance, I next tried the Red Conception. This is a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. With one sip you are tasting some of the top red grape varieties in the world. This had dark cherry and blackberry with a medium finish. This was flavorful, but others in our tasting team favored the less expensive 2008 Fireside Red. The Fireside Red is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Cab Franc. Either is a good bet with the prices $18.95 and $15.95 respectively.

The final taste was of the 2006 Meritage. We love Meritage, the designation for America’s version of a Bordeaux blend that is typically reserved for the winery's best. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon – Merlot blend that delights the taste buds. This is a gold-medal winner that is priced at $36 – not bad for a world-class quality wine. The ‘07 Meritage is reputed to be even better – named as the best red blend in Canada. The blend formula is different, with Merlot taking center stage followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. I’m sure the price is worth it ($60 CA), but we weren’t even half-way through our Canadian swing. In the interest of not breaking the budget we opted for a bottle of the ‘06.

Fielding gives you a great taste of Canada in many ways: the beautiful scenery, expansive tasting lodge, friendly servers and top-rated wine. This is a must see when you visit the wineries of Niagara Peninsula.

Technorati Tags: wine,Niagara Peninsula,Ontario wine

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