Travel America » Rich Tradition

Wine Travel – America’s First Wine Country

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:54:20 +0000

These early settlers noted how the topography and climate of the river valley resembled their European home areas of Germany and Switzerland. In particular, various grape varieties were growing wild on hillsides surrounding Hermann, prompting founding fathers and town leaders to encourage further cultivation and ultimately, wine making. After a few short years, the prolific grape crop merged with the settler’s wine making skills, and America’s first wine district was born.

After Prohibition, wine making became viable again, and since the 1960’s over 75 wineries have opened in Missouri. Situated on a 20 mile stretch, this wine district just over an hour from St. Louis boasts historic villages and seven wineries. Those who enjoy wine trails and wine travel are drawn here for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are award winning wines and spectacular scenery.

Missouri has long been known for deep, rich red wines typically produced from traditional grape varieties such as Norton and Chambourcin. Wineries in this area use these native grapes to develop award winning varieties of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Burgundy styles. But these wineries aren’t all about reds, as winemakers on this wine trail also produce clean and delightfully crisp styles like rieslings and chardonels.

A visit to the central Missouri wine trail usually begins with a visit to St. Louis. From St. Louis, travel west on Interstate 44 to Missouri Highway 100, continuing on Highway 100 twenty miles to the town of New Haven. This charming village is the eastern edge of the wine trail and is home to historic Robller Vineyard and Winery, which offers a spectacular view of the Missouri river valley.

Just west of New Haven and on your way toward Hermann is the Bommarito Almond Tree Winery, a family owned estate winery producing a savory award winning port, among other offerings. A few miles west is Bias Vineyards and Winery, situated on a 64 acre farm and featuring a microbrewery and winery, only the 2nd such operation in the United States. Be sure to try Bias’ River Blush Rouge, an easy drinking friendly blush.

As you reach the Hermann area, you’ll discover four thriving wineries offering the chance to try Missouri wine. Stone Hill, Oakglenn, Adam Puchta, and Hermannhof wineries all offer wine tasting, winery tours, and scenic views. Take time to savor the offerings at each. Among those we particularly enjoyed were Oakglenn’s spicy Chambourcin and Stone Hill’s Vidal Blanc. Stone Hill and Hermannhof are other must stops, not only for their fine wines but also for their historic settings.

The western end of the wine trail is punctuated by the picturesque town of Hermann, MO. This is a town you’ll really enjoy – historic architecture, local restaurants, and specialty shops galore. It’s a perfect place to spend the night and participate in one of their many local events, several devoted to enjoyment of wine. Also, for the fitness buff within you, Hermann is also known for its easy access to the Katy Bike Trail which winds through the Missouri river valley.

Wine Travel – America’s First Wine Country

admin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:40:50 +0000

America’s rich tradition of wine making began in earnest in the 1800’s, when European immigrants brought their skills to various unsettled areas of the country. A few decades before California and other west coast wine producing states were settled, many eastern and midwestern states had thriving wine industries. In the 1830’s, a group of German immigrants made their way to the Missouri river valley, west of St. Louis near the present town of Hermann, Missouri.

These early settlers noted how the topography and climate of the river valley resembled their European home areas of Germany and Switzerland. In particular, various grape varieties were growing wild on hillsides surrounding Hermann, prompting founding fathers and town leaders to encourage further cultivation and ultimately, wine making. After a few short years, the prolific grape crop merged with the settler’s wine making skills, and America’s first wine district was born.

After Prohibition, wine making became viable again, and since the 1960’s over 75 wineries have opened in Missouri. Situated on a 20 mile stretch, this wine district just over an hour from St. Louis boasts historic villages and seven wineries. Those who enjoy wine trails and wine travel are drawn here for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are award winning wines and spectacular scenery.

Missouri has long been known for deep, rich red wines typically produced from traditional grape varieties such as Norton and Chambourcin. Wineries in this area use these native grapes to develop award winning varieties of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Burgundy styles. But these wineries aren’t all about reds, as winemakers on this wine trail also produce clean and delightfully crisp styles like rieslings and chardonels.

A visit to the central Missouri wine trail usually begins with a visit to St. Louis. From St. Louis, travel west on Interstate 44 to Missouri Highway 100, continuing on Highway 100 twenty miles to the town of New Haven. This charming village is the eastern edge of the wine trail and is home to historic Robller Vineyard and Winery, which offers a spectacular view of the Missouri river valley.

Just west of New Haven and on your way toward Hermann is the Bommarito Almond Tree Winery, a family owned estate winery producing a savory award winning port, among other offerings. A few miles west is Bias Vineyards and Winery, situated on a 64 acre farm and featuring a microbrewery and winery, only the 2nd such operation in the United States. Be sure to try Bias’ River Blush Rouge, an easy drinking friendly blush.

As you reach the Hermann area, you’ll discover four thriving wineries offering the chance to try Missouri wine. Stone Hill, Oakglenn, Adam Puchta, and Hermannhof wineries all offer wine tasting, winery tours, and scenic views. Take time to savor the offerings at each. Among those we particularly enjoyed were Oakglenn’s spicy Chambourcin and Stone Hill’s Vidal Blanc. Stone Hill and Hermannhof are other must stops, not only for their fine wines but also for their historic settings.

The western end of the wine trail is punctuated by the picturesque town of Hermann, MO. This is a town you’ll really enjoy – historic architecture, local restaurants, and specialty shops galore. It’s a perfect place to spend the night and participate in one of their many local events, several devoted to enjoyment of wine. Also, for the fitness buff within you, Hermann is also known for its easy access to the Katy Bike Trail which winds through the Missouri river valley.

By: Jim Hofman

Latin America Travel Guide – Latin America in Film

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:18:11 +0000

With its vibrant and varied national identities, a turbulent and sometimes tortured past along with its proud cultural heritage, Latin America has all the necessary ingredients for a rich tradition of cinema and film.

In the early years, the Latin American film industry was dominated by Mexico, which exported its enormously successful movies throughout the world. But over the second half of the 20th century, a number of other big film centers developed, in particular Cuba, Argentina and Brazil.

Throughout this period, filmmakers drew upon wide political and social influences, reflecting the often chaotic environments they were trying to reflect. Latin America’s prominent role within the non-aligned movement during the Cold War and widespread popular opposition to the giant northern neighbor helped influence the development of Tercer Cine, Third Cinema, as a backlash against Hollywood, US cultural dominance and capitalism.

Led by the Argentinean Grupo Cine Liberacion, but also driven by radicals in Cuba, Bolivia and Brazil, the Third Cinema movement drew heavily on the concept of the First and Third Worlds, and expressed a sense of solidarity and collectivism between filmmakers and their audiences.

Because films from this genre were by definition subversive to the region’s authoritarian regimes of the time, movies were screened covertly so as to avoid censorship and commercial interferences. Typical to this genre was the movie Ya es Tiempo de Violencia, or Now Is The Time For Violence, which addressed the repressive Argentinean dictatorship, the assassination of trade union leaders and state censorship.

Around the same period, a similar but distinct tradition was evolving in Portuguese speaking Brazil. Cinema Novo, inspired by the French New Wave, adopted a minimalist and direct style to present realistic interpretations of poverty and the hardships of everyday life both in rural Brazil and the favelas of the cities.

As Latin American society made the slow transition towards stability and democracy, its cinema began to undergo a corresponding transformation. The dogmatic themes of anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism and the struggle for liberation began to wane with the arrival of more subtle examinations of Latin American society, its achievements and its problems.

What has become known as the New Latin American Cinema has encompassed a wide range of themes and issues, while adopting a much broader range of artistic styles which depart from the rigid realism of previous traditions. Such films as Como Agua Para Chocolate and Pan’s Labyrinth followed fantastical storylines and became worldwide hits, while Y Tu Mama Tambien presented a mature portrayal of Mexican society and the country’s political issues.

Meanwhile, Argentina and Brazil have both retained their leading role within the region’s film industry and movies such as Nueve Reinas have gone on to inspire Hollywood filmmakers while prizes and awards continue to flood in.

The top films to see before a Latin America vacation:

Before leaving for your Brazil vacation, don’t miss the Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winning Central do Brazil (1998), an emotive tale of relationships and learning set in Rio de Janeiro.

For an alternative interpretation on your Argentina travel experience, look out for Nueve Reinas (2000) which gives a stark, twisting picture of the Buenos Aires underworld.

Meanwhile, Madeinusa (2005) will be fascinating viewing before or after a Peru vacation, drawing on the spiritualism of Andean communities.

Finally, Caribe (2005) is a recent film that promises a good introduction to a Costa Rica vacation, the value the country places on environmental conservation, and the beautiful Caribbean coastlines around Puerto Viejo.

By: Matthew Barker