Monday, July 21, 2014

American Heritage Wines!

May 2014
 
American Heritage Wines!
On a recent Florida Spring morning, a soft breeze drifted across the uncut grasses between the neat rows of grapevines. It was approaching 8:00 am and a brand new day was awaking. As the first sunbeams stretched out across this idyllic canvass, buds of bright yellow slowly appeared. Beginning as a tiny stream of color, a raging river of flowers soon washed the landscape. Unfolding before our eyes was this days harvest … the “Dandelion Flower”!
Long before you or I were born, our ancestors awaited this same moment with bountiful joy! Our ancestors considered this wonderful wildflower the grandest of the bloomers. The roots provided delicious teas and broths. The leaves were eaten raw in salads or cooked with other dishes. The bright yellow flowers, however, were the most treasured. These tiny petals were destined to become their most precious possession … Dandelion Flower Petal Wine”!
What I have just described is a prime example of an…”American Heritage Wine”!
On another day, a whole passel of brownish-red tubers were gently dug up from the ground beneath our feet. Kind of long and roundish these gems were not potatoes. They were and are a part of the southern landscape of America. Again, our ancestors recognized and appreciated this grand tuber for what it was, a delicious feast when cooked and a fabulous adult beverage when fermented into…Sweet Potato Wine”!
What I have just described is another prime example of an…”American Heritage Wine”!
As Spring evolves into Summer, another beautiful plant rises from the soils of the southeast United States. A member of the nightshade family, it soon bursts into countless clusters of white flowers. Under the warm southern sun, green fruits soon appear. Almost with the blink of an eye, these green fruits ripen into bright, luscious and plump red fruits. Today, they mostly garnish our fresh green garden salads. To our ancestors, however, these red fruits had a grander purpose. With visions of a spectacular and unique taste, our ancestors were able to transform this indigenous and delicious fruit into the most wonderful and golden colored…Cherry Tomato Wine”!
Again, what I have just described is another prime example of an…”American Heritage Wine”!


 
Our ancestors settled all across our country. They were a hardworking and industrious lot! Most were farmers and knew how to grow things. Most had the knowledge to make wines. If wild Native American grapes ( muscadines, catawba’s, concords, fox grapes, etc.) grew where they settled, they were certain to use them to make fabulous grape wines. Grapes, however, were not their only choice. Many other wines were made from local fruits and vegetables.
As you visit wineries in America, today, we encourage you to ask them about those “American Heritage Wines” that they produce. It’s time that we celebrate our collective heritage. It’s time that American wineries reach back into their regions past and bring forward to us the great American wines of yesterday!
Until next time….”Salute and Happy Days”!


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