When people think about vineyards in the Unites States most people can name Napa Valley, California; but a better kept secret are the local Iowa wines. Like many states in the Midwest, Iowa boasts rich and fertile soil. In Iowa, vineyards are starting to take off. In 2007, Iowa’s 71 vineyards hosted a total of 400,000 visitors. Wine making in Iowa is still relatively in its infancy. Vineyards take time to grow and mature and critical to the success of an Iowan vineyard is finding grape varieties that can withstand the temperature extremes, resist disease and still produce a good batch of wine.
To get a true taste of local Iowa wines you need to be willing to travel and cruise down Iowa’s wine trails. To date Iowa currently has five wine trails. These are the Amana Colonies Wine Trail, the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail, the Iowa Wine Trail, the Scenic Rivers Wine Trail, and the Western Iowa Wine Trail. Along the various trails you will have the opportunity to sample sweet desert wines, crisp white wines, delicate fruit wines and the robust red wines. Each vintner is guaranteed to add a signature excellence to your tour of Iowa wine country with wine sold by the bottle or glass, free sampling, tours of the vineyards all in a relaxing environment. There is as much attention given to their hospitality as is given to their wines.
Many traditional grape varieties find Iowa’s climate inhospitable so Iowans have found the hardiest varieties and produced some hybrids of their own. Catawba grapes produce rose wines and inexpensive sparkling wines. Edelweiss grapes produce semi-sweet to dry wines similar to a Riesling style wine. If left to hang on the vine they produce a wine with a stronger and muskier flavor. Contacting local Iowa vineyards or perusing their websites can give you a better idea of the wines they produce. With the broad variety being produced it’s likely you’ll find one or two local area wines you and your palate will quite enjoy.
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