This week's recommendation is Vine Street Cellars in Glenwood, Iowa, where one can drink deeply of the latest, officially-recognized American Viticultural Area, Western Iowa. Before wine snobs pop off as is their wont, remember that California wines were once considered a joke for no better reason than not being European. Look how that turned out. Good vino requires great soil, patience and top-notch agricultural acumen. What better stomping grounds than the Loess Hills of Iowa?
Full disclosure: I'm not a wine snob. I approach the subject academically. Self-identifying as a snob on any subject is pretentious and says less about one's appreciation for the breadth and depth of a subject than it does about one's expert claims. Wine is good when it pairs well with friendly conversation and food. If it only costs $6 a bottle, all the better. My personal favorite was served family-style from a jug at Casina Azzura about a javelin's toss from the Piazza della Repubblica within sight of Earth's fanciest McDonald's. I recommend that as well.
I was encouraged to try Vine Street Cellars collection of Loess Hills AVA wines by my frequent host, Glenwood City Councilman and "Stuck: The Web Series" cinematographer Wade Rodman. His Honor told me Glenwood has a lot to offer and he wasn't wrong. Vine Street is located on the beautiful, old-timey town square of pastoral Glenwood, the largely-bucolic seat of Mills County, straight across the Missouri from Bellevue's Olde Towne. Vine Street Cellars is not externally ostentatious. Neither is the inside, but it is a cozy, pretty and clean bistro of polished wood. Its fully-stocked shelves offer up the best wines in the heart of this 8.3 million-acre Loess Hills District Viticultural Area.
Mimi was our gregarious and knowledgeable wine guide. First and foremost she offered up samples with a smile -- always appreciated by connoisseurs. I just wanted to sit down and get to it besides I opted for the sampler for $4. For $5, you get to keep your glass as a souvenir. Material possessions end up possessing you so I opted out, but you should go for it. Everything on the menu from the fruity Traminette to the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition bronze-medal winning Vignoles is $4 per glass. I also had a glass of each. Bottles are all in the mid-range under $20. A steal for this many current and future award winners. Locally produced Keg Creek Breakdown Brown Ale is available. I can attest to its deliciousness, too. It was a busy drinking day, to be certain. Try the cheese plate or order a gourmet pizza from Adriano's Brick Oven across the square. It's worth the drive itself.
Over two dozen people crowded Vine Street on this particular Saturday afternoon. Impressive as the majority made the trek from Nebraska, according to the plates in the lot. Obviously, the word is getting around so make an afternoon of it. You will regret nothing. read more