North Carolina Wines:
From the Mountains to the Sea

Which state was the producer of the largest volume of wine prior to Prohibition? Which state named the only grape native to Southeastern United States? Which state now houses the most visited winery in the U.S.? If you guessed North Carolina, you are right!

Prior to Prohibition, North Carolina ranked as the number-one wine producer of the Union due to a lively spread of grape plantings in 1840. The native grapes that composed this healthy wine industry were called Scuppernongs, named after a small town in Washington County with an abundance of grapes. Scuppernong is a variety of the species Vitis rotundifolia, commonly called muscadine, which is native to the southern states and grows nowhere else except as an exotic.

The first record of these grapes occurs in the log book of Giovanni de Verrazano, French explorer, who in 1524 discovered them in the Cape Fear River Valley. He wrote that he saw "many vines growing naturally there that without doubt would yield excellent wines." Sir Walter Raleigh's explorer's wrote in 1584, "The coast of North Carolina was so full of grapes that the very beating and surge of the sea overflowed them. In all the world, a similar abundance was not to be found." Sir Walter Raleigh's colony discovered the famed Scuppernong "mother-vine" on Roanoke Island and introduced it elsewhere. The vine, with a trunk 2 feet thick, supplied grapes for the Mother Vineyard Winery which operated in Manteo until 1954.

Today, North Carolina is home to Biltmore Estate Winery, the most visited winery in the United States, welcoming more than 500,000 guests each year. Twelve wineries in North Carolina produce fine wines from Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes in addition to muscadine grapes. Popular varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Magnolia, Carlos, Noble, and the list continues. Read on to learn where to find these treasures and how to choose the right wine for you.

Different types of wine exist for different palates and various uses. Wines made from Vitis vinifera grapes tend to be dry, which is opposite from sweet. These wines include reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir, and whites like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Riesling and White Zinfandel are typically sweeter Vitis vinifera wines, and a good introduction to wines. French-American hybrid wines like Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc and Vidal Blanc also fall on the dry side. People who like sweet wines may want to choose wines made with the muscadine grapes, fruit wines which are not always sweet but often easy to drink, and wines made from other American grapes like Niagara and Concord.

Dry wines pair well with main courses where strong food flavors need a hearty wine. The food will hide some of the bitter or sour sensations that some people taste in dry wines. Sweet wines and sparkling wines work well as appertifs prior to the meal when the palate is sensitive, or after the meal with or in place of dessert.

North Carolina wineries offer you the full range of tastes to meet your preferences. Wineries offering dry European-style wines include Biltmore Estate Wine Company, Germanton Winery, Martin Vineyards, Silohouse Winery, Teensy Winery, and Westbend Vineyards. Wineries producing muscadine-based wines include Bennett Vineyards, Duplin Wine Cellars, Martin Vineyards, and N.C. Waldensian Winery. Sweet wines made from grapes other than muscadines are available from Germanton Winery and Villar Vintners of Valdese, while fruit wines come from Martin Vineyards and Chateau Laurinda.

Silohouse Vineyard and Winery, located in Haywood County, is among the state's newest wineries. The vineyard, planted in 1991, is situated on the eastern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina, at an elevation of 3,200 feet. Owners Jim and Jennifer Sink produce Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay varietal wines from three acres of grapes.

Biltmore Estate Winery, housed on Biltmore Estate in a renovated dairy complex in Asheville, opened its doors to the public in 1985. Biltmore Estate currently produces wines from 75 acres of grapes under the direction of Winemaster Bernard Delille of France. The wines have captured more than 110 medals, including seven gold, in regional and national competitions. Wines include: Chardonnay, Riesling, Zinfandel Blanc de Noir, Cardinal's Crest, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Biltmore Chardonnay, Chateau Biltmore Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Biltmore Fume Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Vanderbilt Claret, Tapestry, and sparkling wines prepared by "Methode Champenois."

Teensy Winery is located in scenic country of Rutherford County and is the smallest winery in the state, producing about 100 cases each year. A limited quantity allows winemaker Bob Howard to concentrate on each bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay that his winery produces.

Descendants of Italian Waldensians who settled in Valdese in 1893, owners of Villar Vintners Winery produce a variety of Waldensian Heritage wines utilizing time-consuming old-world techniques combined with modern technology. Visitors enjoy a tour and free wine tasting just minutes off I-40. Wine List: Burgundy Valdese, Blanc Royale, Blanc Royale Sweet, Blush Regale, Villar Rouge.

Taste a glimpse of the past with Waldensian-style wines and non-alcoholic sparkling ciders. North Carolina Waldensian Winery holds tastings Thursday-Saturday in the Hickory Furniture Mart so you can make a day of shopping and wine tasting. Wine List: Scuppernong, Dry Scuppernong, Soft Scuppernong, Scuppernong Blush, Sweet Muscadine, Dry Muscadine, Dry Blush, Champagne, Christmas Scuppernong Champagne.

The Wine Advocate has endorsed Westbend Vineyards in Forsyth County as "the best kept wine secret in the Southeast." The 40 acres of vineyards are planted at an elevation of 950 feet along the banks of the Yadkin river. Westbend Vineyards offers an educational tour and has won numerous national and international competition awards. Wine List: Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, White Gamay, Muscat Canelli, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Merlot.

The quaint town of Germanton houses Germanton Vineyard and Winery, whose tasting room is located in an art gallery and frame shop. Germanton wine labels often feature the work of select artists to benefit charities. Wine List: Dogwood White, Harvest Gold, Vermillion, Seyval Blanc, Sweet Red, Sweet White.

Situated in the heart of Rose Hill, Duplin Wine Cellars is a convenient mile off I-40 between Wilmington and Raleigh. The winery offers dinner shows complete with a champagne float once a month. On staff is the famed Chef John Ramirez who also creates tantalizing grape and wine jellies. Wine List: Scuppernong, Scuppernong Blush, Magnolia, Carlos, Carolina Red, Rose, Champagnes, Port, Sherry, Burgundy.

The late owner of Bennett Vineyards, R. O. Godley, discovered that the sandy soil of the old Wiley T. Bennett Plantation located south of Edward had been used to produce muscadine winegrapes. Today Bennett Vineyards grows and produces old fashioned homemade muscadine wines that "smell like grapes and taste like grapes." Wine List: White Scuppernong, Red, Blush, Semi Sweet Carolina White, Semi Sweet Carolina Red.

In addition to tasting wines at Martin Vineyards in Currituck County, you can pick your own peaches, apples and grapes. From North Carolina, you must take a scenic ferry across Currituck Sound to reach the island. Martin Vineyards offers a wide variety of wines including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Muscadine, Peach, and Apple wines in a picturesque setting on the water.

Tracking down North Carolina Wines is easier than you may think. Your first course of action is to check your local wine specialty shop. If you don't see the wine you're looking for, ask the merchant who will undoubtedly order it specially. Many grocery stores with large wine departments also carry a selection of N.C. wines. The most fun way to find wine, while not always most practical, is to actually visit each winery, taste the full line, and choose your favorite wines to bring home. Once you know which wines you want to obtain on a regular basis, N.C. wineries will ship wines directly to your door.

As you discover North Carolina wines and learn to fit them into your meals and occasions, you will certainly find favorites. Each person has unique preferences, so experiment and prepare for a lifetime of enjoyment.

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Source:
ncwine.org