I also noticed a vineyard somewhere on the way to Dekalb. That was interesting to see. I wonder what they planted.

A lot of wineries in Illinois (probably most) use imported grapes, an idea that doesn’t appeal to me. Without terroir, I’m not sure what the point is. And a lot of wines–going by what is presented at state fairs here and in Wisconsin–are just designed for a different palate. What that palate is I don’t know and I don’t want to find out, but it’s so far off from mainstream wine drinkers are accustomed to that there’s no realistic chance of these wines making a dent in the wine market.

It’s unfortunate because our region is capable of great wine provided we choose the right variety.

I’m intrigued by Marechal Foch and Norton.

Missouri Norton used to be one of America’s and the world’s (it won Gold at Vienna World Exhibition in 1873) great red wines before prohibition and industrialization killed off the vineyards. It would probably do well here, because it can deal with cold winters and hot humid summers.

U of I Extension is supposedly growing grapes, but I don’t know what they’re working with or what they found out. They refuse to give me information.