| For those of us who love wine and wine travel, | | | | Eastern Connecticut Wine Trail |
| discovering a great new vintage is tremendously | | | | You might be surprised to know that Connecticut |
| rewarding. And while many wine regions in | | | | has not one but two wine trails. This small state |
| California, Washington, and Oregon are well | | | | has over a dozen wineries, from small farm |
| known, there are a growing number of under the | | | | operations to larger firms producing thousands of |
| radar areas with a thriving wine culture. Let's | | | | cases annually. |
| explore three blossoming new U.S. wine trails... | | | | Connecticut's climate is tempered by the Atlantic |
| U.S. Wine Travel: It's Not Just California Any More | | | | Ocean, and its varied topography creates small |
| With over 6000 wineries scattered across the | | | | microclimates where grapes thrive. Expect to see |
| country, wine is big business in the United States. | | | | numerous crisp white wines, particularly |
| And while most wine lovers are well acquainted | | | | chardonnays and rieslings. |
| with California vintages, the fact is the great | | | | The scenery on both of the state's wine trails is |
| majority of U.S. wineries are far from the west | | | | spectacular, a mix of rugged coastal features and |
| coast. | | | | rolling farm land. Antique and specialty shopping is |
| In the last five years, dozens of wine trails have | | | | popular along the way, as is a visit to Mystic along |
| blossomed in areas you wouldn't normally | | | | the coast, with the town's unique harborfront. |
| associate with grape growing. Some of these | | | | Missouri: America's First Wine District |
| regions have produced wine for generations, but | | | | About an hour west of St. Louis, a strong |
| are just now becoming mainstream. Others are | | | | German influence in the small town of Hermann |
| just now taking advantage of beneficial | | | | carries on a 150 year old wine making tradition. |
| microclimates to produce unique grape varietals | | | | This part of Missouri is well known for outdoor |
| and award winning wines. | | | | activities like biking and hiking along with the dozen |
| Here are three under the radar wine regions you'll | | | | or so wineries that thrive here. |
| want to know... | | | | Missouri is best known for deep and bold red |
| Minnesota: The Three Rivers Wine Trail | | | | wines, like Nortons and Chambourcins. The history |
| Grape growing in Minnesota? You bet. In the | | | | of wine making is well established, and actually |
| eastern part of the state, river valleys create | | | | predates the California wine industry by several |
| ideal climates for growing new hardy grape | | | | decades. |
| specimens that have Minnesota's wine scene | | | | Numerous events and festivals are held along the |
| making a name for itself. | | | | Hermann Wine Trail throughout the year, making |
| The Three Rivers Wine Trail is tucked just east | | | | it an ideal weekend excursion or combined with a |
| of the Twin Cities, encompassing historic river | | | | visit to St. Louis. |
| towns like Stillwater and Red Wing. The five | | | | Summary |
| wineries on the trail are a total distance of about | | | | In the last ten years, dozens of new wine trails |
| 90 miles apart, making this an easy two day | | | | have sprung up in areas not normally associated |
| jaunt. | | | | with wine making. Much of the fun of wine travel |
| Native grapes are used to craft spicy, bold reds | | | | is learning about these unique areas and the |
| and crisp whites that are earning praise from wine | | | | vintages they produce. With over 100 wine trails |
| critics and national publications. The area itself is | | | | in the United States, you're sure to find one within |
| especially beautiful in the fall, when autumn colors | | | | a half day drive of wherever you live. |
| arrive in a blaze of glory. | | | | |