Wine Questions answered
by the Irish Wine Gal

Q. It seems that some wines go in and out of popularity. For awhile everyone was drinking White Zin. Now they scoff at it. What makes this happen?

Is it marketing or is it because certain wines have a "growing season" or something and they won't be good for a few years again? And how am I supposed to keep up?

A. Yes, some of it has to do with marketing and some with growing. If there's an overabundance of one particular grape the wineries will need to push it.

Q. Is wine always made from grapes? I have heard there is blueberry wine. Are there other fruits? Do you recommend any?

A. Wine is made with different fruits including blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, apples, peaches, pineapple and plums. In Michigan, Ohio and you New York you are more apt to find the non grape wines.

Personally I like the Kikkoman Plum Wine (made by the same people who make the soy sauce). The locally produced wine magazine, TheWineBuzz did an entire article on fruit wines in their July/August issue.

Q. If you had to pick only one place - were would all of your wine come from? Napa? Italy? France? And could you tell me why?

A. A family owned beverage store with a good wine selection and knowledgeable help! (My personal favorite is Warehouse Beverage in South Euclid.)

Why limit yourself to one area of the world when there is soo much to enjoy?! I do say drink from the region/country that they are known for.

For example-drink Pinot Grigio from the Friuli region of Italy as that is their specialty. Grenache is big in the Rhone region of France and Tempranillo is really good from Spain.

My favorite saying when someone is asking what my favorite is "wine is like your children, you like them all, but for different reasons…

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