Northwest of North Carolina's Research Triangle, in a little village called Cedar Grove, is a blueberry farm that is now hosting a new winery called Botanist and Barrel. Here a small family farm is converting fruit into wonderful concoctions for the hottest new trend in winemaking. The winery is called Botanist and Barrel and it produces barrel aged fruit wines in weird and wonderful blends.
Imagine a maple syrup barrel being used to ferment rhubarb and blackberry (with a few hops added for that beautiful bitterness that drives us to beer) and reminds us of the astringent sharp notes in the best Pinot Noirs. This is not the sweet sugary product that many cider makers produce. This is old world wine making craft applied to locally harvested fruits. It takes the wine enthusiast into a universe where the palate becomes a playground. I've tasted some of these...and many of them blow me away.
Some say this is the cutting edge of a new fad. Some say this is the result of American ingenuity combined with old world craftsmanship. I say, drink up, America. Here is a link to a local news article. http://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article178028106.html
Unfortunately you have to be in North Carolina to get to sample Botanist and Barrel's small batch releases. But they can't be the only ones doing this. Look for members of the American Fruit Wine Producer's Association in your state. Or better yet ---- come to North Carolina and experience something surprising and delightful and local. Cedar Grove Blueberry Farm has set up a small tasting room where you can try a flight or three. The farm is off State Route 86 about 11 miles north of Hillsborough, about a half hour drive from RDU.
Cheers, and I mean CHEERS.
