Instead of protesting the unbelievable sweetness of the Pennsylvania wines my friends and family had recommended for my wine rack, I decided to conduct a little research of my own in order to get a broader picture of the Pennsylvania wine scene.
The Pennsylvania climate of four distinct seasons coupled with an accommodating terrain of farmland and cleared forest makes growing grapes quite a tradition in the state. The friendly state has over 100 wineries and boasts the highest number of wine varietals in the country.
Most PA wineries are small scale locally owned and family operated making for some very distinct flavors. There are over 14,000 acres of Pennsylvania land devoted to the growing of grapes and in a state where alcohol is distributed through state facilities, the wineries have some special rules.
Pennsylvania wineries must use only grapes grown in Pennsylvania to produce their wines. They can have five retail outlets in addition to their winery and website to sell wine and they can sell wine at festivals such as county fairs and craft shows and even directly to local restaurants.
The Pennsylvania Winery Association is responsible for promoting regional wines as wel as organizing events and contests between different wineries and they take their duties pretty seriously. On their website I discovered a number of PDF files that contained itineraries for traveling across a wine trail. There are numerous regions in Pennsylvania all with their little specialties. I am closest to the Lake Erie wine trail which features a few dozen vineyards.
I will be making a visit to the only local winery, Conneaut Lake Cellars winery which is about half an hour from where I am staying. This is another of those places my family brag has “great grapes” but I’m not sure whether to believe it or not anymore.
All I want is a few tasty bottles of dry non sweet Pennsylvania wines for my wine rack in Wyoming. I don’t think it’s too much to ask. Is it?
The folks at the PA Wine Association have made me feel better. Let’s hope the winery doesn’t let me down.
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