We opened a bottle of Lake Erie Dornfelder 2007 produced by Presque Isle Wine Cellars in Pennsylvania. Aged in oak for 10 months and with 11 percent alcohol, this wine offered earthy aromas with nuances of fragrant wild violets. The smooth taste was accompanied by currant nuances and the wine finished crisp with mild tannins. We enjoyed this wine with a pork and rice dinner last night.

Dornfelder is a popular grape varietal in Germany. Dornfelder is a hybrid and is a cross of Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe. In the United States it is gaining in production. When we visited Fulkerson Winery in the Finger Lakes, we saw the Dornfelder vines climbing the sides of a large winery building. The purple grapes were just hanging, waiting for harvesting by staff with a very tall ladder. We were so impressed with the sight and the taste of the Dornfelder wine that we planted two Dornfelder grapevines at home. The vines grew quickly and added about 10 to 15 feet to their length. We are anxiously waiting to see how they do this summer.

Enjoy a visit to Presque Isle Wine Cellars where they produce quality wines and have winemakers’ tools and supplies available for both commercial winemakers and home winemakers.

Cheers! Kathy