Sam was on the judging panel for the 2009 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition in Urbana this week, and he has a full report.
Posts by Samuel R. Vandegrift:
Know Your Grapes: Vignoles
Wine Punk starts a series examining different varieties of grapes by taking a closer look at one of his favorites.
The Best Illinois Wines of 2008
The Wine Punk runs down his list of the best glasses of wine from the land of Lincoln. Notable inclusion — the Chambourcin Slushy.
A Case For Local Wine
Warning! Querciabella Chianti 2004 only got 91 points from Parker. That’s only an A-minus. Only an A-minus! Never mind that reviewer Antonio Galloni said, “…[it] offers outstanding overall balance…setting a new benchmark for elegance in …
Great Combo at Kickapoo Creek Winery
Most wineries in Illinois moonlight as something else. Winery/pie shop. B & B and tasting room. Wine shop/coffee house. Whatever the arrangement, these conjoined operations offer some insight into the mind of the winemaker. My …
Vintage Illinois Provides Wide Range of Tastes from Illinois Wineries
For those of you who missed the trip to Matthiessen State park (one that may remain open even if Blago has his way) for Vintage Illinois this weekend, here’s the wrap-up. Funny, even pithy, t-shirts …
Check out Vintage Illinois Next Weekend
For those of you who don’t mind crowds and want get your Illinois wine on, Vintage Illinois pours next weekend, September 20-21, at Matthiessen State Park. And while entry is only ten bucks, you must …
Hurry to Mackinaw Valley Vineyard Before Grape-Picking Season Ends
I realized that my childhood came full circle watching my critter run around the U-Pick grapevines at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard in Mackinaw, Ill., yesterday. My mother took me on seemingly endless trips each summer to …
A Trip to Prairie State Winery
Last summer, I made my family take a two hour detour to Genoa, Ill., so I could snag the perfect wine for our concert date. Chambourcin, like so many grapes, offers a spectrum of styles, …
Spirit Knob Winery a Diamond in the Western Illinois Rough
Years ago, a Father’s Day gift led Matt Schulte to join his brothers and father as a home winemaker. Once he realized that local fruit made the best wines, he took the family green thumb …