Announcement: 50 States. 50 Wineries. 50 Weeks.

Here on LENNDEVOURS, I bring you, my devoted (I hope) readers, the best of what New York's wine regions have to offer, but as a weekly contributor to Wine Sediments, I've expanded that scope inThe Vines Less Tasted, a weekly column that focuses on lesser-known regions and lesser-known grapes.

With wine being produced in every state of the union, there are so many wines out there beyond those made in California, Oregon, Washington and, yes, New York. I don't even need to leave our shores for material.

So, it is with great pleasure and excitement that I annouce that I will taste, and write about, wines from all 50 states over the next 50 weeks.

Of course, as fun as I think this project will be, it is not one without potential challenges.

How will I know which wines capture the essence of any given state? Will I be able to find wines made from fruit grown in every state? I think that's important.

And most daunting of all -- will I be able to navigate our country's ever-changing interstate shipping laws?

No matter what, you can count on me to bring the wines of the U.S. into your office, home office, living room, kitchen...wherever your computer may be. There should be a lot of interesting and unique wines featured. I mean, who wouldn't want to try, at least once, a wine made from freshly harvested pineapple?

Keep an eye on Wine Sediments. The 50 States - 50 Weeks event kicks off the first week of May. That will give me a few weeks to get some of the logistical issues resolved.

In the mean time, if you know of a meticulous muscadine producer in Alabama, a maker of brilliant baco noir in Wisconsin or any other wine in any other state that I should target let me know.

Comments

[Ethan]

Lenn,

I found out about your project by way of Winecast. For Arkansas, you simply must try Chateau Aux Arc. They are having a case sale on 3 different wines right now, which may be more cost effective (depending on your MO) than buying single bottles.

(I am in no way affiliated with the winery, just a big fan.)

Good luck on your quest! I look forward to the Kansas offering, with homage to "The Goodbye Girl."

[Jeff Lefevere]

Hey Lenn,

For Indiana, you are going to want to roll with either Oliver Winery or Huber Winery. www.oliverwinery.com; www.huberwinery.com

For a vinifera wine I would recommend the Chambourcin from either place.

I'm not sure either are distributed, but send me an email if I can help you out with procuring anything.

Godspeed.

Jeff

[Leo]

How much advance notice will you give on the wines you'll be trying? Will we have enough foreknowledge to play the at-home game in real time, or just pick it up after the fact?

[dfortna]

50 - 50! A near-year sojourn through the vain of the vines into the heart of a Nation’s mauve disposition. Palpable ever weeks’ anticipations–guide us ore the hills and planes these states fermentations...: Anticipations?

Beware the chile wines of Southeast Arizona...

--d

[Jared S.]

I'm your man with the plan when you get to Rhode Island. While visiting in (I think it was) 1996, we tasted every commercially available wine in the state. This wasn't all that great of an accomplishment since there were only three wineries at the time and two of them only produced three wines each.

The third vineyard, however, was (and is) Sakonnet Vineyards (http://www.sakonnetwine.com/). If you go in with an open mind and don't try to compare these to what you think they should be, they are pretty darn good. The vineyard changed hands a few years ago, so I am not certain how the styles changed, but they kept the "Newport Series" blends intact, so I am guessing they are similar to before.

The Spinnaker White is a very interesting wine - very light and "cotton candy" sweet (rather than fruit sweet). My distant memory tells me that it was almost well enough balanced to offset the residual sugar. But even if not, we enjoyed it as a picnic lunch or to enjoy on a warm day outdoors.

If my memory serves me, the Vidal Blanc and Fume Vidal were also both quite good. Avoid the reds - not terrible, but not where they shine. At least not a decade ago...

[Jathan]

Give us a heads up when you before you open a bottle from Maui, I've got a couple bottles of Maui Blanc I've been waiting to try.

Will this turn into another virtual tasting?

[Justin]

Best of luck on your quest, Sir Knight. I am still pondering as to which wine from Maryland to recommend.

Our largest (but probably not best) winery is Linganore (http://www.linganore-wine.com/). The bottle several blends that may very well capture the essence of the state's wine fairly well. The "Bacioni", a dry red mystery blend, is probably my personal favorite in their lineup.

[Andrew]

Well this should be very interesting; sadly few reach the UK although I remember a rather good red from Texas I think several years ago now. Oh there was a sparkling from Maine or somewhere. Mostly though it is only Oregon, Washington and California over here.

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