From the Daily Journal newspaper Web site: "Ten years ago there were only a few growers in Illinois. It takes decades to create a grape that can grow in this climate. ..."
From the Telegraph newspaper: "The next thing you know, I’m planting all these different varieties to
see how they did here. The
soils are just naturally set for growing grapes. The nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium is very, very suitable for growing grapes."
From the Illinois Times: "Thirteen years ago, there were 14 wineries and 150 growers in The Land
of Lincoln. Now, there are 86 wineries and 450 growers."
From the Perceptive Travel blog: "Like a lot of U.S. states, Illinois is putting out far better wine than
it did a few decades ago and some of what I had was quite good."
The number of wineries in Illinois is at 91, compared to 68 in 2005, based on
an update compiled by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners
Association. But annual production fell from 500,000 to 367,000 in the same
period.
Missouri and Illinois winemakers hope that last year's wet and cool weather translates to a decent vintage. Rainy weather delayed harvests, while some wineries are working with fewer grapes because of lower yields and there are questions about grape quality.
The Iowa Wino blog rates this Illinois wine: "Once in the glass the first thing hitting the nose is the smell of
fresh peaches followed by citris. You also get the sense prior to taste
this is a crisp wine. Can't wait time to drink and taste."
Yet another blogger realizes that wine is made somewhere other than California: “Wine and its grape foundation has found a warm welcome in Illinois, and that farm soil that has made this agricultural state known for the corn on your cob and the soy in your beans is home to a range of wines for your choosing.”
