Park Farm Winery – ‘Picket Fence’, American Vidal Blanc

Strong straw coloring with bubbles which cling to the glass.  Broad legs when swirled.  Green apple, citrus, and dried apricot on the nose.  On the palate it is soft and slightly sweet.  Though the fruit is more apparent on the nose, it still pleases the taste buds.

4.5/5

Cedar Valley Winery – Seyval Blanc, Iowa White Table Wine

Golden straw coloring which glows under the light.  Crisp apple and pear on the nose with a hint of minerality.  Strong tones of butter.  On the palate this wine is soft and well balanced.  There is a herbaceous quality to this wine, though not unsuitable.  Fared extremely well when paired with brownies.

4/5

Wide River Winery – ‘Felony Red’, Red Table Wine

Deep, consistent red coloring.  This wine clings to the glass and displays healthy legs.  Toasted oak and charcoal notes are prominent on the nose with undercurrents of plum and tart cherry.  Medium-bodied with gentle acidity.  Tannins are more apparent than fruit on the palate.

4/5

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Snus Hills Winery – American Catnip, White Table Wine

Pale straw coloring.  Strong tropical fruit on the nose, including pineapple, apricot and peach.  There is a hint of minerality to this wine, adding a bit of complexity to the mouthfeel.  The fruit notes are consistent in the mouth, making it a delicious standalone wine, with perfect balance and sweetness.

5/5

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Cedar Valley Winery – Vignoles, Iowa White Table Wine

The abundance of fruit on the nose makes this a fascinating wine.  Peach, apricot, green apricot predominate.  This is a semi-sweet wine which sits a bit heavier on the tongue than similar whites.  Perfectly balanced and best served slightly chilled.

5/5

Cedar Valley Winery – Norton, Iowa Red Table Wine

Toasted oak notes predominate on the nose, then give way to darker fruit tones, like plum.  It finishes with hints of charcoal.  Dry and full bodied, this wine would pair well with red meats and stronger, aged cheeses.

4.5/5

Wooden Wheel Vineyards – “The Judge” Norton American Table Wine

This wine is a deep red, near black.  It displays dark earthy aromatics, with hints of charred oak.  Ripe, rounded fruit on the palate.  Medium, almost light bodied with a hint of sourness.   Best served with a protein like pork or beef.

4.5/5 stars

Odessa Vineyards’ J.B. Red – Dry Red Table Wine

Deep rich color, nearly black.  It clings to the glass has leaves strong legs.  Mature cherry and aging plumb notes are accented with a soft vanilla.  The wine is rounded with earthy flavors and a hint of woodiness.  There is a slight fig-like character to this wine as well.  Despite its complexity and deep color, it remains medium-bodied and relatively bright on the palate.  Best served with a meal or hors d’oeuvres with a bit of punch, like aged cheese.

4.5/5 stars

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Kirkwood Winery – Summer Sabbatical, Semi-Sweet Wine

Green apple predominates on the nose with undertones of apricot.  Well balanced with near-perfect acidity.  Best served slightly chilled with light dishes like a green salad with raspberry vinaigrette.

4.5/5 stars

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Kirkwood Winery – Frontenac Gris

In the glass this wine appears to glow.  The nose is an explosion of fruit, including notes of apricot, peach, and pineapple.  It is intensely flavorful, with the same tropical fruits as the nose, supported in part by hints of green apple.  Well-balanced and structured, this is a complex wine that could make any Iowan proud.  Best served with light dishes or even by itself, slightly chilled.

5/5 stars

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