Wild Mountain

I rarely give a whole post to one winery, but I'm in the mood this time.  You will enjoy visiting with Jim and Alan up at Wild Mountain Winery.  The picture above was from outside the tasting room. (Notice bee on flower.)  The winery is new and I think it deserves your attention.  I have a lot to cover so my notes are short, but you can check them out at:  www.WildMountainWinery.com  Better yet, get out, and take a drive and see them in person.  Oh yeah, tell them the Winers Crier sent you.

1st:  Aurora

       My favorite of the day.  This is a port style wine. You will find chocolate covered cherries on the front of the tongue with that nice little warmth of a port.

2nd: LaCresent

       Semi dry and similar to a Riesling.  You will find an aroma of tart apple and apricots.  This would be a very nice house white wine if you're looking for one.

3rd: Elmer's White

       This is a unique white with varietals I have not run across before.  I told you to check them out:)  This wine has notes of asparagus and is very nice.

4th:  Arrowhead Red

       This is a medium bodied red that is light oaky and has an earthy vine pallet.   With notes of mushrooms and pepper it is very nice.  I am told it goes good with smoked meats and I believe it would.

5th:  Sabrevois

        We were very fortunate to be able to try this just bottled light fruity red.  While being light it is still warm and has notes of cherries.  Jim told me to try it with chili.  I would agree and it will get better with time.

6th:  Frontenac Gris

        A semi-sweet white with a light pineapple nose.

7th:  Frontenac

       While you know I am not a Frontenac person I think Wild Mountain does a nice job with this and the Gris above.  This is a light bodied red and if you like Frontenac then you must try theirs.

8th:  LaCrosse

       Semi-dry with a light earthy nose and I am told goes well with pork.

9th: Prairie Star

       This dry wine is aged in American Oak.  It has citrus notes and I am told would go well with salmon.  This could be a good house white.

10th: Mountain Sweet Red

         This is a fun little semi-sweet wine from a 5 grape blend.  This wine has a candy grape nose with a wonderful finish.

"Whether you're walking on the wild side or the mild side savor some wine today."

-The Winers Crier

Off to the North Shore

Just a slice of cold hearty heaven.

1st:  Hidden View Winery - http://www.hiddenviewwinery.com/

     Arabella's Kiss - 2010

          This is a Reisling Ice Wine with Toffee notes and a carmel pallet.  If you like Reisling or Ice Wine

          you'll want to try this one.

     Red Satin Kiss - 2010

          This is a Cabranet Franc Ice Wine with carmel notes and a strawberry-carmel pallet.  This will be a

          wonderful sipping wine on a cold winters night.

When traveling close to Cloquet Minnesota don't miss this winery.  If you are looking to make some of your own wine but need a little help, check them out.  Thier selection is huge and you will probably find something that is tasteful to your pallet.  When stopping in say hello to Mandi for us.



2nd:   Scenic Valley Winery - http://www.scenicvalleywinery.com/

     Plum Wine - 2009

          Scenic Valley Winery makes a wonderful plum wine that is not overbearing nor understated.  It is  

          a delight on a cold winters night.

3rd:  Cannon River Winery - http://www.cannonriverwinery.com/

     Winter Ice - 2010

          This is a great Ice wine specially made for the Winter Carnival in 2010.  If you can still find some

          around grab it.  This sweet ice wine will warm up your winter eve.

4th:  Bush Camp - www.zwinesusa.com/Wines-SouthAfrica.asp?DocID=49

     The Sundowner - 2007

          This wine was presented to us at a BBQ wine tasting put on by Eric Hendrickson of the Mahtomedi

          Liquor Barrell.  It is a medium body off-dry with lemon and lime notes.  Note: it is a South African

          wine so this was not a Texas BBQ we were at.  This is a great wine with fish and we paired it up with

          kabobs of shrimp, pork, peppers, and mushrooms on the grill.

5th:  Northern Vineyards - http://www.northernvineyards.com/

    Gold - 2009 

          This wine is made from partially frozen LaCrosse grapes and is similar to Ice Wine.  This is a sweet
          wine with an apricot finish. Wonderful to sip by the fire.

"Winter Weather, Warm Fires, Fresh Air, Ice Wine, snuggle in for a moment, savor what we are given."
- The Winer   

Back to the Farm

1st:  Winneshiek Wildberry Winery - http://www.wwwinery.com/
     "Sunset Vidal" - 2010
         This is a sweet white table wine.  Vidal Blanc is a French-American hybrid grape that is known for its cold-hardiness. Sunset Vidal has a nose with hints of honey and vine.  The pallate will take on a light fresh grapiness with a very light earth tone.  That being said, this wine has a full wonderful unique flavor all its own.  This wine paired well with smoked salmon and chipotle, cranberry, cheddar cheese.
         The Winneshiek Wildberry Winery is a fun place to visit with good people and LOTS of wines to choose from. 

"Take a Drive, Take a Look, Take Home a bottle of wine."
- The Winer

A Whole Lotta Wine

1st: Jeio Desiderio -  http://www.jeio.it/ - Italy
     Prosecco Brut -Unknown Year
          This Prosecco Brut is light and sparkly.  It has a nose of lemon and lime with a palate of light citrus.  Crisp and dry you'll enjoy this one for that celebration you have coming up.

2nd:  Three Lakes Winery - http://www.fruitwine.com/ - Wisconsin
     Marion Blackberry - Unknown Year
         This semi-sweet fruit wine has a delicate but noteable palate.  There is a smoky undertone to the nose.  This wine will be great with vanilla ice cream or cheese cake.

3rd:  Gazela - http://www.gazela.eu/ - Portugal
     Gazela - Unknown Year
          Gazela is a sparkling white and very light.   Will go well with salads or light fish.

4th:  Mason Cellars - http://www.masoncellars.com/ - California
     Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc- 2008
          A light white wine with an intense grapefruit nose.  Hiding in the back is a light hint of rhubarb, with passion fruit, guava, and lime peel on the front end.

5th:  Barefoot - http://www.barefootwine.com/ - California
     Muscato - Unknown Year
          Light raisin notes run through this wine with hints of peach and apricot and citrus on the palate.

6th:  ConCannon -  http://www.concannonvineyard.com/ - California
     Crimson & Cloves - 2009
          This wine has aromas of nutmeg, mocha and coconut and flavors of blackberry, ripe cherry and plum on the palate. This is a wonderful mid-dry table red that pairs great with Gary's habrenero cherry fudge.

7th:  Blackstone - http://www.blackstonewinery.com/ - California
     Cabernet - Sauvignon - 2009
          This wine has a nose of blackberry, plum, and spice with hints of oak.  Try pairing with venison.

"Great wine is created to be found by those who will enjoy it."
      - The Winer

Warm Christmas Wishes!!

1st:  Alexis Bailly Vineyard - http://abvwines.com/
     "Isis" - 2011
          It's ice wine, what more do I need to say?  ABV does an outstanding job with this one.  Notes of apricot, peaches, and honey run across your pallet.  A sweet desert wine you don't want to miss.

2nd:  Alexis Bailly Vineyard - http://abvwines.com/
    "Solaris" - 2011
         This wine is new for ABV, and they hit the mark right on!!!  This is a brandy-infused WHITE wine.  Yes, I said, WHITE wine.  It will warm the cockles of your heart as flavors of peaches, figs, and honey dance across your tongue.  It's winter in Minnesota, and even though it's a brown Christmas it's nice to warm up with this awesome wine on a cold winter night!!

"May your Christmas be Merry and your Wine glass be full."
- The Winer

The Holiday Season

1st:  Lioco - http://www.liocowine.com/
     "Chardonnay" - 2010
          This is a great wine paired with chicken and I'm going to give you the description off the bottle because it's right on.
          Nose of fresh meyer lemon, lime leaf and river stones.  Flavor of lemon drop candies, green pair, and mineral.  Food pairings with green curry chicken, dungeoness crab, fish chowder.

2nd:  Alexis Bailly Vineyard - http://www.abvwines.com/
     "Ratafia" - 2009
          If you don't have one of these  in your rack for this time of year you are missing out!  This wine is a mixture of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year all packed into triangular blue bottle.  I suggest it for sippping with a loved one, or small group of close friends.
          This is a red fortified sweet dessert wine infused with orange.  It is toasty, spicy, nutty, and brings out everything that reminds me of Christmas.

"It's Christmas time - soak up the holiday with loved ones."
- "The Winerers Crier" 

Wine From Way Down South

1st:  Victor Hugo Winery - http://www.victorhugowinery.com/
     "Morio Muscat" - 2006
          Pulled out this wine to sip for a relaxing winter night and it was awesome!  That's why it was in the wine rack.  This winery produces great wines and this was one of them.  When I say down south I mean -South Africa.  This is a straw colored sweet wine with notes of honeysuckle and jasmine.  Deep grape notes and honey with a hint of fig roll across the palate.  This is one to hunt for.  I suggest starting with Eric at the Liquor Barrell in Mahtomedi - http://www.mahtomediliquorbarrel.com/.  Tell him "The Winers Crier" sent you :)

"A good wine leaves memories on your taste buds."
- "The Winers Crier"