Dec 5thDecember 5th

Wine lovers have a reason to celebrate today. On this day in history in 1933, the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution repealed the 18th Amendment. For those who are not history buffs, that brought an end to Prohibition of the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the United States.

While some wineries continued to exist during Prohibition, the only wines created were for communions. Most just closed their doors from 1919 to 1933 and were slow to begin again. Laws in Kentucky were so restrictive that the wine industry didn’t restart until the 1990s.

Oddly enough, rather than waning, the popularity of wine grew during Prohibition because a clause in an act that defined enforcement of the amendment allowed for the making of wine for personal consumption by the head of households. Wine became a homemade treat.

So wine lovers, raise a toast to the 21st Amendment whose sole purpose was to end Prohibition.

Nov 16thWhat wine goes best with a Happy Thanksgiving?

My suggestion whenever choosing a wine, whether to go with food or to drink alone, is the wine should be one you will enjoy. While it is true that particular wines will enhance certain foods, you are more likely to enjoy yourself if you love the wine.

Thanksgiving dinners raise a lot of questions. Is your menu the traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings, what is your budget, who are you breaking bread with, and do your guests enjoy wine are the most pressing. Traditional Thanksgiving dinners have a range of flavors and to match each course, several (maybe many) different wines are called for and this would be costly. The more people you are sharing your meal with, the costlier it becomes. Some guests might not even want wine. (Really, you know people like that?) So, deciding on the wine is not a quick choice.

I looked at suggestions I’ve made it the past and really can’t improve on them. A nice dry, or semi-dry Gewürztraminer or a Beaujolais Nouveau will enhance the flavors of that Thanksgiving turkey. For dessert, a nice sparkling wine will pair well with those favorite pumpkin and pecan pies. For the adventurous wine lovers, many wineries, including those in Kentucky, make a semi-sweet spicy style of wine for the holidays, such as Prodigy Vineyard and Winery’s Holiday Cheer, a blended wine with added spices.

Hope your Thanksgiving is a good one! Enjoy the day!

Aug 27thNational Red Wine Day

Another day to celebrate wine – August 28 is National Red Wine Day. The question is what red? What is your favorite? My answer years ago was a well-made Sangiovese, but now there are many more choices to consider. Here’s a list of my favorite reds: Sangiovese (still), Barbera, Nebbiolo, Lemberger, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Norton, Tempranillo, as well as several red blends.

But, it’s Red Wine Day, not Red Wine Week, so I will have to choose. We will definitely raise a glass to toast red wines. Hope you enjoy a glass or two?

Jul 25thNational Wine and Cheese Day

Records exist in history of cheese making in the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. Wine’s history is equally long. The pairing of wine and cheese seems to be a natural.

National Wine and Cheese Day seems to be a good day to experience the flavors. Many experts write about what cheese pairs best with a particular wine, but as with wines I recommend you choose what tastes the best to you. However, there are some trusted guidelines.

Throughout history, wine lovers in regions chose local cheeses to enjoy together. After all, that was what available. It still holds true that a good Montepulciano goes well with an aged Italian hard cheese. Also, an intense wine needs to be matched with an intensely flavored wine; while a sweet wine will taste best with a mild blue cheese or a Roquefort. Some of my personal favorites, a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with an extra sharp cheddar, a lighter Sauvignon Blanc with a Monterrey Jack, or a Bordeaux style red blend with a creamy Swiss cheese.

Whatever your tastes, hope you enjoy yourself today on this National Wine and Cheese Day!