Five Great Wines from Illinois

The state of Illinois is full of grape vineyards, with over 79 wineries throughout their lands. Wine-making really took off in Illinois around 1990. The number of wineries there has increased from 3 in 1985 to 79 in 2008 according to Wikipedia. Illinois accounts for over 450,000 gallons of wine each year!

Here is a guide to five of Illinois great wines.

Galena Cellars Winery Cherry Wine

This Cherry wine is a red fruit wine from Galena Cellars Winery. In the early 1970s, Robert and Joyce Lawlor started their family winery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1983, they branched out and opened a winery in Galena, Illinois. For travelers and tourists, Galena Cellars also has a Tasting Room & Gift Shop in Geneva, Illinois.

The first production the Lawlors made back in 1976 was 500 gallons of cherry wine! Galena Cellars Cherry Wine is made from Montmorency pie cherries from Wisconsin. It has a bright red cherry color, smells and tastes like cherry filled desserts. Bottles of Cherry wine can be purchased for around $10. Because of its rich fruit flavor, I'd recommend serving this Cherry wine at social gatherings and/or at dessert time.

Galena Cellars Winery Eric the Red

Eric the Red, also from Galena Cellars, is a dry red wine made from Illinois and Minnesota Marechal Foch grapes aged in oak. This dark red colored wine was named after the Lawson's son Eric. It is a Pinot-Noir type wine with an aroma of cherries and strawberries with a taste of cherries and spice. It can be enjoyed now or aged with steaks and BBQs.

Eric the Red has won awards at the Illinois State Fair. It can be bought for around $15 a bottle.

Galena Cellars Vin du Chocolate Chocolate Port

Yet another of my favorite Illinois wines is Galena Cellars Vin du Chocolate. This dark colored Chocolate Port came out in August of 2008. It's made from Frontenac grapes with a "natural" chocolate extract. According to a Galena Cellars Press Release, "a new Minnesota varietal had "natural" chocolate overtones that were present in the chemistry of the Frontenac grape even when the chocolate had not been added." At the Illinois State Fair, the Vin du Chocolate won a gold award.

This Vin du Chocolate smells of chocolate dessert and tastes of cocoa, chocolate, and cherry! Vin du Chocolate can be served after dinner as a perfect dessert, either alone or with cheesecake or other chocolate delicacies. You can buy 375ml bottles for $20. The larger bottles are $30.

Lynfred Winery Peach Wine

Lynfred Winery is one of Illinois oldest and largest winery. Operating since 1979, they make over 50 varietals each year. This Peach Wine is a yellow colored fruit wine with lovely peach aromas. It's taste is a little tangy but finishes well with a linger of sweet peaches. You can buy it for around $10 a bottle. This Lynfred Winery Peach Wine would be great during the summer with desserts such as pies, cobblers, and ice cream.

Fox Valley Winery Traminette

Fox Valley Winery is, like its name implies, in the Fox River Valley of Illinois. Their website states that Fox Valley wines start at the Faltz Family Vineyard and farm near Sheridan, Illinois. There, vines were first planted in March 2000, and now they have more than 25 acres!

The semi dry - semi sweet Traminette wine is yellow in color, has fruity and flower aromas, and tastes like a tart grapefruit. It's available for around $16 per bottle. This Traminette would go great paired with steaks, ribs, burgers.

Sources:

"Illinois Wines," Wikipedia.

Fox Valley Winery.

"Our History", Lynfred Winery.

"Chocolate Heaven", Galena Cellars, Karen Lawlor.

"About Us", Galena Cellars Winery.