Summer Wines!

Nothing says summer like dining alfresco—on your deck, a neighborhood barbecue, or an idyllic picnic in the park. Just as dishes tend to be lighter this time of year, the wines that pair best with them should be crisp and refreshing. But, when you are grilling, you want wines that will hold up to the stronger flavors.

Taste, Wine & Spirits | By John B. Donovan

Rocky Waters Winery

It would be hard to find a more picturesque drive, than the 36-mile route to Rocky Waters Winery just outside of Hanover, IL. Take Hwy 20 through Galena and past the Territories and shortly after Tapley Woods and the Long Hollow Overlook, take a right to Hanover. Once in town, follow the signs east to Rocky Waters.

Taste, Wine & Spirits | By John B. Donovan

Making Sense of Wine Glasses – Are They Necessary?

I regularly get asked if fancy wine glasses are really necessary to enjoy wine. The answer is a definite no, well yes… well maybe! You see, it all depends.

Taste, Wine & Spirits | By John B. Donovan

Local Vines, Local Wines

Galena Cellars winemaker Christine (Chris) Lawlor is excited to release several new varieties of Illinois-grown wines this year. In addition to their current Illinois-grown and made offerings – Eric the Red (Marechal Foch), Britt White (Chardonel), Daffodil (LaCrosse), Vineyard Rose, Vineyard Red (Saint Croix), Seyval Blanc and their “Port in any Storm”(Frontenac) – the Lawlor family winery plans to release three new Illinois wine varietals in the next few months.

Taste, Wine & Spirits | By John B. Donovan

Barrell Head Winery

About a third of the way into a 50-mile bike ride, Natalee, my riding partner, turned to me and said, “John, isn’t that a vineyard?” Believe it or not, that’s how we discovered Barrel Head Winery on Laudeville Rd. just south of Dubuque.

Taste, Wine & Spirits | By John B. Donovan