In a front page article on July 11, 2007 in the San Francisco Chronicle, Noah Diffenbaugh, (an assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences at Purdue University) cautioned that Napa, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara counties' grape-growing industries at the end of the century would be eliminated due to Global Warming. And while most of us may not be concerned about which wines we may be drinking in 2100, winemakers in North Carolina are hoping to get a running start.
North Carolina actually ranks as 10th for grape and wine production in the U.S. with 61 wineries. Medoc Vineyard, North Carolina’s first vineyard was founded in 1835.
The Piedmont area of North Carolina has the potential for growing the superior varieties of grapes necessary for creating world-class wines. The area with its combination of the temperate climate, a long growing season and the gravelly-clay soil are the key natural features. http://www.ivillage.com/
Interactive Guide to NC
Fun site with tons of videos and things to do in North Carolina. Also there are links to every city in NC. Enjoy!
North Carolina Roadtrips- http://www.ncroadtrips.com/
My Favorite Vineyard
Some may know Mr. Richard Childress as NASCAR’s car owner of the late Dale Earnhardt but with the help of Greensboro businessman Greg Johns, the two have created one of the finest vineyards in the United States. Not only is their wine fantastic but their food is outstanding!
Native Vines Winery is the first Native American Indian owned winery in the country, owned and operated by Darlene Gabbard. We are located in Lexington, NC on 36 acres of rolling pasture, bordered by Historic Highway 150 – the old Waxhaw Indian Trading Trail, and Indian Grave Creek, where ancient Indian tribes buried the dead in the banks of the life giving stream. Arrowheads can still be found when working the soil. Boones’ Cave State Park, 3 miles down 150, is where Daniel Boone hid from a war party of Indians on a cliff overlooking the Yadkin River. The farm has been in the family for hundreds of years and was part of the original Wachovia Land Grants of the 1700’s. Native Vines is located in the Yadkin Valley Viticultural Area, North Carolina’s equivalent to Napa Valley. Native Vines is committed to producing premium wines for our customers.
Easy to use and links to their websites. Have fun!
What the Heck is Tannin?
When speaking of a wine’s flavor profile, the word “tannin” is often thrown around. However, many wine tasters are often unsure about this oft-used term. So what the heck is tannin, anyway?
Tannins are organic compounds found naturally in grape skins and seeds. They are associated with a puckering sensation or bitter aftertaste. This effect can also be produced by other flavors like strong tea, blueberries and cranberries. Wines that exhibit these qualities are referred to as “tannic.” While undetectable by smell, tannins can usually be seen as the sediment in wine.
Winemakers can control the amount of tannin a particular wine, thereby altering its taste. The technique used to extract the juice from the grape can increase the tannins. The oak barrels used to age wine also contain tannin. A gentle process can limit the amount of tannins in a wine. Red wine goes through a more abrasive crushing process and is aged longer, thus resulting in a more tannic taste.
Tannins have been shown to have health benefits. In some forms, tannins can suppress the production of the peptide responsible for artery hardening. Another good reason to drink up!
Did You Know? Scuppernong grapes are named for the Scuppernong River, which runs from Washington County, NC to the Albemarle Sound.
Article courtesy of “Carolina Uncorked” the quarterly wine newsletter from the NC Wine & Grape Council
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