Wine Trails – Wine Travel Blossoms in Alabama

Much of Alabama’s wine us is located in the primary part of the nation, wherein the hilly terrain is conducive to vineyards and grape development. South of Birmingham, it is a downhill run to Bernard Law Montgomery, the state capital, and Mobile, a busy port city hugging the Gulf Coast.

When you visit, you will navigate Interstate sixty-five, which cuts a north/south direction through the heart of Alabama. Travel is a breeze, and most sights are without difficulty reachable off the dual carriageway. Currently, there are three wineries in the southern 1/2 of Alabama, so while you combine winery visits with the friendly cities of 1st viscount Montgomery of Alamein and Mobile, you have the makings of a super three-four day getaway.

Our plans are for a mid-morning departure from Birmingham with an overnight live in Bernard Law Montgomery. Then, a 1/2 day’s power to Mobile and the subtropical climate of Mobile Bay and the Gulf Coast. Two Alabama wineries take a seat alongside the I-65 hall between Birmingham and Bernard Law Montgomery, which might be 90 miles aside. And so, after a light breakfast in Birmingham, we headed south on I-65 with our attractions set on Vizzini Farms Winery. Located most straightforward half of hour south of the town, Vizzini is open every day at 10 a.M. And is easy to discover proper off go out 234.

Vizzini gives an onsite deli and outside patio in which you could revel in lunch overlooking the vineyards. We arrived at 10:30, too early for lunch, even though we snacked on freshly baked bread and nearby cheese from the deli counter.

You’ll have your desire of approximately a dozen Vizzini wines crafted from a mixture of west coast and Alabama grapes. You know we like to “drink neighborhood” and pattern wines made with neighborhood grapes if you’re familiar with our travelogues. At Vizzini Farms Winery, that means an incredible Cabernet Franc, whose clean flavor is compared favorably to Virginia or California wines of this style.

Sensing how an awful lot we liked the Cabernet Franc, our tasting manual advised the Sangiovese, a pink Italian table fashion wine that had us considering a pairing with barbeque. Among others we appreciated have been a Pinot Noir, Blush, and a pleasantly surprising Riesling that changed into proper in our sweet spot. We aren’t sure where the grapes originate for Vizzini Farms’ Riesling, but we propose it as a “need to attempt”. Crisp and a piece sweeter than many Rieslings, we wish we might buy a couple of bottles.

Less than 10 mins away, best a mile off, go out 228 close to the metropolis of Calera, is the stunning and inviting Ozan Vineyard and Cellars. If you are pressed for time and can only go to one winery in Alabama, Ozan is a good choice. Situated on a 24-acre property within the midst of Alabama wine usa, this enormously new vineyard boasts a continually expanding winery emphasizing the Norton grape.

Ozan Vineyard’s more exciting project is their month-to-month wine teach excursion, which combines wine tasting with a leisurely teach experience via the geographical region. Operating from April thru November, each experience offers a different environmental recognition, depending on the season. These Saturday trips ultimate three hours and encompasses wine tasting, gourmet field lunch, and topic narration. See Ozan’s internet site for extra information.

We settled in for a taste of Ozan’s Norton Red Label. Norton wines are rapidly becoming our purple wine favorite, added to the style in Missouri and southern Illinois. We were not amazed to see it right here, as the nation-state reminded us of central Missouri. This wine is large and bold, with an attractive black cherry flavor and mildly oaky end. Also, try the Reserve Merlot, vinted from neighborhood grapes and elderly for sixteen months. For something sweeter, there may be Ozan Peach. Peach wines are big in Alabama, and this one is undoubtedly true! It’s very quality and adequately made; it’s now not overwhelmingly sweet and has the aroma and taste of farm-fresh peaches. There are nearly a dozen wines to strive for here, with notable releases deliberate via 2009. Only minutes off I-sixty-five, it’s an excellent forestall among Birmingham and 1st viscount Montgomery of Alamein. Ozan is a big supporter of the Alabama Wine Trail and helps promote the Alabama wine industry. They’re open Fridays and Saturdays, 11-6.