Archive August 10, 2007

Wine Withdrawal

In case you haven't heard, I was recently one of ten thousand participants in the 35th annual RAGBRAI - The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. It's a seven day, 472 mile, fun bike ride across Iowa. Lance Armstrong even made the event this year - although he mostly ate my dust!

It was an amazing experience and quite an accomplishment but I couldn't help feeling that something was missing. I just didn't feel whole. Each day we would stop in the towns along the route and enjoy barbeques and beer gardens. Everyone told me to drink lots of beer because the carbs gave me energy to ride and the buzz helped with my aches and pains. After a few days it hit me - I was missing wine! What was I thinking riding my bike through the middle of Iowa with only beer to quench my thirst?

Soon my prayers were answered. A gorgeous house and barn emerged from a corn pasture. The most beautiful thing about this property was the sign in the front yard that read "FREE WINE TASTING". I thought it was a mirage or that I had died and gone to heaven. It was real. The owner of the house was pouring tasters into plastic cups for the riders. I think I pushed some people out of the way to get to the front of the line.

I even got a private tour of the wine cellar when the owner showed me the basement where he makes his wine from fresh concentrated juice from a variety of local fruits like rhubarbs & peaches (no corn). He was nice enought to make plenty to share with the RAGBRAI riders and I told him he saved my life. I never want to go that long without wine again.

Want to try a wine from Iowa?
American Chambourcin, 2005, Park Farm Winery, Bankston, Iowa.
It's a very unique grape but similar to Chianti. It's light rose in color and should be served slightly chilled. You'll get cedar spice with hints of plum, berries and cherry. It's medium bodied and pairs nicely with red meat dishes. Only catch, it's very hard to find outside of Iowa.

Cheers!

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