Located in northern United States, Wisconsin is subject to a short growing season with very cold winters. Anyone visiting Wisconsin can enjoy the bucolic countryside around Madison and north of Milwaukee. Tourists may want to consider visiting during the warm, summer months of June, July or August. The cold weather climate is difficult for vinifera grapes and visitors will find many wines produced from cold weather grape varieties developed by the University of Minnesota.
Wisconsin Vineyards
Wisconsin vineyards are faced with a short growing season. A late spring frost can quickly kill the first and second buds on grapevines. Many wineries complete harvest by the middle of September. That’s why many of the wineries in Wisconsin focus on growing hybrid grapes including St. Pepin, Frontenac, La Crosse, La Crescent and Marechal Foch. Some Wisconsin vineyards also include vinifera grapes although other wineries source grapes from California, Oregon and New York. Travelers who enjoy the “taste the place” concept, should try wines produced from the hybrid grapes grown in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Wineries
Wineries in Wisconsin produce various styles of wine including rosé, dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, sweet, sparkling and fruit wines. Stone’s Throw Winery offers quality wines produced from vinifera grapes sourced from California. Visitors to Simon Creek Vineyard and Winery will discover acres of vineyards and numerous wines in a large tasting room. Anyone wanting to try fruit wines should check out Kerrigan Brothers Winery that features a large number of fruit wines produced from fruit other than grapes. Æppel Treow Winery produces a number of different apple wines, ciders and sparkling wines focusing on unusual apple varieties. Currently Wisconsin is the largest grower of cranberries and vacationers will discover many types of cranberry wines available. Anyone planning ahead for Thanksgiving or Christmas may want to pick up a bottle of cranberry wine.
Some wineries are small and offer personal visits, frequently with the owner and winemaker. Other wineries are much larger and more than likely visitors will enjoy a wine tasting under the careful attention of a staff member. Either way visitors will undoubtedly enjoy the experience.
Wisconsin Wine and Cheese
Wisconsin is known as the cheese state; it is the largest cheese producing state in the country offering 350 varieties of cheese. That’s one reason cheese plates are often available with a wine tasting. How often can people find 10-year-old aged cheese in their local grocery store? Travelers should try pairing aged cheddar cheese with a quality red wine. There will be multiple flavors, nuances and textures as the wine and cheese combine.
Wisconsin has much to offer visitors from a view of the stately capitol building in Madison to the dairy farms open for tours offering homemade ice cream, many varieties of cheese and delicious traditional and non-traditional wines. For more information about Wisconsin wineries, visit the Wisconsin Winery Association website. For personal reviews of 17 Wisconsin wineries, visit the Wine Trail Traveler website.
 |
 |
