Minnesota Wine

It is the million dollar question almost every night of the week that I work.            “Have you had Minnesota Wine?”
Only to be followed up with…
What do you think about Minnesota Wine?
What Minnesota Wine would I recommend?
Do you think Minnesota Wine is as good as California Wine?
Night after night, I hear the same questions, and my answers surround the facts that encompass Minnesota Grapes as a specie.  Mostly with the fact that the Vitis Vinifera Grapes that we are used to, are not the same as the grapes that we are drinking from Minnesota.
What is Vitis Vinifera?  It is the ‘common grape’ specie that is native to mostly Old World Countries.  These grape vines, which have been spread around the globe at this point, are not generally of the grapes that we find cultivated here in Minnesota.  For instance, the the viticulture department of the University of Minnesota has become rock stars at breeding grapes that are hardy to our climate of extreme temperatures, mostly our cold winters.  While there are grapes that are native to the region, like the Concord wine that my grandmother used to make  in the basement, the U of M is cultivating grapes that are of different varieties.  Are these grapes the same that we know of in other parts of the world like:  Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc?   No, due to the fact that the grapes of this Vitis Vinifera stature would not survive here amongst our climate.  Does that mean that the wines that are made from these Minnesota Grapes are bad?  No way. 
To Understand Them is To Drink Them.  (That’s pretty much my motto with almost every wine!)  By drinking through them, you will then find that you can enjoy them in their own arena.  So why are so many dogging out these wines?  Because they are comparing them to their California Cabernets, or their Oregon Pinot Noirs.  To be honest, you are not comparing oranges to oranges here.  Put them into their own category as you drink them.
While many of these Minnesota Wineries are filling in their wines with juice they’ve purchased from California, like the Zinfandels or Cabernets Grapes that you know, remember that by many standards of (this state’s) wine law permit you to only use a percentage to ‘fill in’ with the native grapes that you originally started with.  So even though they may have a % of grapes that you’re familiar with, they will not necessarily ‘taste’ like the wines that you’re familiar with. 
I must say, it is a huge ‘to do’ on my list for the summer because I, as a sommelier, cannot say that I’ve been to enough wineries between Minnesota and Wisconsin to come up with my own analysis, but I have had a few in the cities that I’ve tried.  While Alexis Bailly Vineyards is one that I find to be ‘the most talked about’,  I did drive south a couple of weekends ago and right by one winery that I’ve had quite a few of, St Croix Vineyards.  The whites that I’ve had are really quite decent and found them to pair with a couple of nice artisanal cheeses for pairing. 
I suppose I come to this point, because I was hired for a wine tasting event a week or so back with a group of gals for a bachelorette party.  These tastings are so much fun.  You know why?  Because everyone comes unbiased, open for anything and ready to have fun.  The International shmattering of wines that I brought, along with a plate of artisanal cheese and handmade chocolates were fabulous, yet I could see that I had one attendee itching to show me her favorite wine.  Before we were through with the final wine in the tasting, she jumped up and said, ‘Have you ever had Minnesota Wine?  What do you think about it?!’ and so on and so forth (pretty much with the same questions that I started this blog with). 
Then she said, ‘I’d take Minnesota Wine over any wine any day, and here’s my favorite!’ 
She held up the Cannon River Winery ‘Go Go Red’  ~ the Grapes: Minnesota Sabrevois, Marquette, & Foch.  Recognize any those?  Probably not, but if you live in Minnesota, then you’ve probably tried them.
My take on the wine… Juicy, approachable, full of rich raspberry, cherry and blackberry.  Supple and might be really nice with a piece of berry cobbler or a fat slice of blue cheese.  Certainly on the ‘sweet’ side, but great for those who are looking to sip something easy going.  I thought it was just fine.  Really.  And for $13, it might be kind of fun to slip into your own ‘wine tasting’ at home with friends!
Now, can I compare it to the grapes that I know that produce more acid and more body like Pinot Noir or Zinfandel?  No, but the wine has to be put into its own category.  And you know what – people love it here in Minnesota.  And apparently across the country, because it has won several awards in categories with wines of its comparison. 
I hear so many ‘doggin’ out Minnesota Wine, and it’s not a fair assessment.  Those folks are just not putting these wines in the right category in their minds as they drink them.  Whether they are made of these funky Minnesota Grapes that we’re not familiar with or of real fruit like raspberry, cherry and blackberry – they still live here and are made in YOUR community.  And what should we do with businesses of our own communities, support them.  So here’s to those Minnesotans out there bustin’ their butts to make wine.  I think we should all take another look at what’s out there and visit these wineries that are of our home state, including me!
If you’ve had any Minnesota Wines that you’ve found you like, fill me in.  I’d love some more recommendations!