RAISE A GLASS TO NEARBY WINEMAKING
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ground. While information sharing can work, hired specialists and official seminars speed the industry’s growth. “The wine industry is very good about helping its new people, but we don’t want to go back to that model exclusively,” McCartney says. After losing General Assembly appropriations that once totaled $500,000 per year, the association is putting more money into festivals and events in an effort to rebuild its budget through shared gate revenues.
Illinois wine is different from that produced in other regions. Here, winemakers use grapes like Chambourcin, Seyval, and Vignoles, which are known as French hybrids. These grapes withstand cold weather and can flourish in our fickle climate. The big question, of course, is whether local wines can compete with their out-of-state counterparts.
McCartney believes they can. “In my 13 years with the association, I’ve noticed a tremendous increase in quality. We like to ask people what kind of wine they like. Once we find a close match from Illinois, they are usually pleasantly surprised by its flavor,” he says. Harvesting starts in late summer, but the entire season is a ripe time to get out and explore this local industry.
Summer wine events:
Experience the Sixth Annual Wine & Music Festival on May 30 and 31 at the Hill Prairie Winery in Oakford. Sunday is bluegrass day with music from 1 to 6 p.m. while Monday is reserved for blues bands. Doors open at noon. Admission is $5 and includes a souvenir wine glass. Call 217-635-9900 for more information.
The Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association is sponsoring the Illinois State Fair Wine Competition held June 7-9 at the University of Illinois campus in Urbana. The contest is open to Illinois commercial wineries and Midwestern amateur winemakers who will be judged on color, balance, aroma, clarity, taste and finish. For information, call 217-244-1042 or visit illinoiswine.com.
On July 16, it’s Pork Meets Cork, hosted by a partnership between the Illinois Pork Producers and the Illinois Wineries. More information will be available as the date approaches.
Visit the Illinois Wine Garden at the 2010 Illinois State Fair for a great selection of local wines. This year marks the group’s third at the fairgrounds. For $1, wine fans can try a taste of any Illinois wine as proceeds are split between the wineries and the IGGVA. Ballroom dancing lasts from 7-9 p.m. daily.
