N.C. is heir apparent to Napa Valley

September 01, 2008

Is North Carolina poised to claim Napa Valley's Wine Crown?

According to a recent Today show, Food Editor Phil Lempert proclaimed, "Napa wine making out-doomed by global warming," and he also said that "North Carolina is poised to claim "Napa's Wine Crown!"

Needless to say, our state's wine boosters are elated and happy to get Lempert's nod. "He could have picked any up-and-coming wine region to mention," says Margo Knight Metzgar, executive director of the N.C. Wine and Grape Council, "but that he focused on North Carolina says a lot for our state's wine makers and grape growers."

Indeed it does! However, Lempert is not the only editor high on our state's wine/grape scene. Jim Hofman, USA, recently published a glowing review of our coastal wine region. Jim and his wife have explore wine regions in most of the 50 states and reports, "The wines that come out of North Carolina's coastal region are among the best in the United States." WOW!

According to Metzgar, North Carolina ranks 10th nationally for winemaking and "boasts the widest variety of grapes and wine styles in the country." She also states that North Carolina "ranks #1 worldwide in Scuppernong and Muscadine wine production."

There are now 70 established wineries and vineyards in our state and we are still growing. Since 1835, after more than a century of leading our country's wine and grape production, we are finally rebuilding our wine and grape industry and also creating a promising future for our winemakers, farmers, and the citizens of this great country to enjoy North Carolina wines and grape products.

Oh, by the way! Did you take "note" that Hofman specifically mentioned "our coastal wine region for good wines?" This is good news indeed for the winemakers and grape growers here in eastern North Carolina.

This news is even better now that the scuppernong grape is emerging as a Nutrition Superstar! These grapes are now available in our local grocery stores and at the vineyard.Who knows, as the World Turns, North Carolina may once again Wear the Wine Crown!

Buddy Harrell, Bennett Vineyards