Pumpkin picking...before the pumpkin pie belly.

Having a belly full of pumpkin pie (and turkey, ham, potatoes, green beans, corn, cranberries)... I am fondly remembering my little jaunt in October for pumpkins and wine.

We first stopped off a Mackinaw Valley Vineyard.  It's located between Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois.  We pulled into the short lane that takes you past a some of their vines and waited in the parking lot for my brother and sister-in-law.  They were driving over in their little blue mini cooper which I watched "European Vacation style" drive back and forth five times before they found the right entrance.  "Look kids there's big ben, parliament... vineyard... again."  When they finally joined us, we made our way though some nicely landscaped areas to the tasting room located on the back side of a farm house.  The tasting room has a big picture window and porch that overlook a small pond, more grape vines and corn and soybean fields that extend into the horizon.  Tasting is free and the staff are interested in helping you find one of their wines that suit your taste.  We enjoyed Hahn's Reserve a blend of Baco Noir and St. Croix;  Alexaner's Conquest a blond of Foch, Frontenac and Cabernet; and Vignole dry (semi-sweet table wine).  It's a popular place for weddings and there was a reception going on in a tent by the small pond while we were there.

While we were in the area we also visited Ackerman Farms on US Rt. 150, Morton, Illinois for some pumpkins.  They have over 125 varieties of pumpkins and squash.  Other entertainment at the farm includes pick your own pumpkins and apples, a corn maze, hay rides, petting zoo and a gift shop.  We were there for the pumpkins and we found some great ones!  As an interesting side note, Morton, Illinois hosts one of the largest pumpkin celebrations in Illinois during September.  Morton is also headquarters to Libby's pumpkin canning plant.  Over 80% of the world's canned pumpkin is grow and canned right here.  After eating your way through all things made with pumpkin you can attend an entirely separate event in October to work off those pumpkin eats.  At the Punkin Chunkin'... you guessed it, your going to chuck some pumpkins.  Participants also build a variety of machines to throw pumpkins a far as they can get 'em.  Personally, I think they should move this event to black friday and bill it as a thanksgiving workout!  My belly is still full....

View my flickr photos of Mackinaw Valley Vineyard

View my flickr photos of Ackerman Farms

Like a chameleon I fell asleep in a red state and woke up in a blue state.

Well my household here in Columbus, Ohio had been all about the recent elections all the time... some by choice (like watching 24 hr. news cycles) and some not be choice (the endless robot calls)....  Needless to say we broke out some wine for those special occasions... debates & election day.  Here's our roundup! 

Our drink of choice for watching the presidential debates was a big jug of Carlo Rossi Chianti. By the end of the first debate, we thought we might be able to take a crack at constructing a Rossi couch.     

On election day we planned for one last round of Rossi.  I imagine our Rossi became as comfortable for some of us as the good luck charms politicians keep on hand such as McCain's lucky penny or the handful of trinkets that Obama carries.  Although a few people at our gathering thought the Rossi was about as pleasing as James Carville's undies during the 1992 political season.  

However on election day it was a warm 72 degrees here in Columbus, Ohio.  This sweltering November heat called for something cool and refreshing... like a wine slushy!  We liked to think that we transcended the beer/wine divide with this one.  

Ideally we would have served up some Arizona & Illinois wine but all we had on hand was a sweet red table wine from Sleepy Creek Vineyards in Illinois.  This wine was made from three different grapes: Concord, Rougeon, and Chancellor.  If you enjoy sweet red wines give this one a try slightly chilled.  I happen to prefer some of Sleepy Creek's other wine which I'll blog about later however like a chameleon this wine as a slushy knocks my socks off.  We mixed it up with some wine ice stir mixing stuff and water and popped it in the freezer for a few hours.  Our slushy was icy, sweet and delicious.

So what did you drink on election night?  

For a little more from others on wine and the political season check out: 

Pre-election red state/blue state wine review

Post-election round up - Obama wins wine states  

Wine tasting in central Ohio with friends...

Recently I visited Slate Run Vineyard with a few friends on a Saturday afternoon.  Slate Run is a small vineyard and winery that Keith and Leslie Pritchard opened in 1997.  They have over 58 varieties of grapes on four acres which allows Keith to do some very interesting things in his winery.  Slate Run is tucked off of Winchester Southern Road in Canal Winchester, OH.  After you turn into the driveway you will curve around to see vines that stretch to the back of the property.  Tucked in the center edge of the vineyard are the working sheds, small tasting room and a weinhaus.  The cozy tasting room has a large oval table that seats eight.  We sat down with Keith for a tasting on a crisp, sunny October afternoon.  A full tasting includes a taste of 14 wines and a glass to keep for $2.50.  

We had some favorites... Slate Blanc, '99 Premblage Reserve, Apple and Finale.  

Slate Blanc is a dry white wine made from chardonel and vidal blanc grapes. This was the first one we tasted and it demands that you pay attention with it's unusual mint and pine overtones. 

Keith had two Premblages for us to taste.  Their Premblage is a Bordeaux styled red that has very long skin contact time.  We tasted two years 2002 and 1999.  2002 was a cooler year and provided a vintage that is lighter with olive overtones.  While 1999, with hot and dry weather, provided a vintage with bell pepper and black cherry overtones.  

The apple wine was delicious particularly on a beautiful October afternoon.  This is their only fruit wine and it is made with a blend of three varieties of Ohio grown apples.  With a hint of cinnamon (which isn't added), it is a crisp, delightful apple wine.  

The final wine that we tasted aptly named "finale" was quite a wine to finish on.  This wine was made from late harvested vignoles.  And it was wonderful.  

Keith strives from complexity and finesse in his wines and that shows through.  

My personal favorite was the apple wine.  In fact tonight I think I'll have some the apple wine and a big bag of chocolate, oh yum!  

View my flickr photos from Slate Run