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Discovering Montecucco Sangiovese Wines: An Affordable Alternative to High-End Wines
Some wines feature the name of the grape on the label.
Others list the place where the wine was made.
Then there’s Montecucco Sangiovese.
The name of these outstanding Italian red wines packs in a lot of information.
They describe exactly where these wines come from – Montecucco.
They list the name of the grape used primarily to make them – sangiovese.
But that’s just the start.
In order for a wine to be called a Montecucco Sangiovese, they need to meet several other strict requirements.
We’ll get to those rules in a second.
All you need to remember for now is these wines taste great. And best of all, they cost far less (often in the $15 to 35 per bottle range) than many other red wines from other nearby Italian wine regions.
So this week, it’s all about Montecucco Sangiovese wines – where they come from, how they’re made, as well as tasting notes for four Montecucco Sangiovese wines.
Hope you enjoy.
Where do Montecucco Sangiovese wines come from?
Montecucco is the name of the wine region where these wines come from in Italy. Specifically, Montecucco is located near the west coast of central Italy in the southern part of Tuscany about 100 miles north of Rome. This subregion of Tuscany produces many different types of wines, including a wide range of reds, whites and roses. Many of these wines from Montecucco also have one thing in common – most of them cost far less than many other wines from Tuscany, which makes this wine region a great one worth keeping an eye out for in wine stores and restaurants.
What grapes are Montecucco Sangiovese wines made with?
As you may have already guessed, the primary grape used to make Montecucco Sangiovese wines is sangiovese. Specifically, Montecucco Sangiovese wines must contain at least 90 percent sangiovese grapes. As for the other 10 percent, merlot or cabernet sauvignon are often blended with sangiovese to make these memorable wines.
Other winemaking requirements
Along with coming from a particular place and being made with specific types of grapes, several other regulations apply to Montecucco Sangiovese wines. All of these wines must be aged for at least 17 months, including at least 12 months in a wine barrel. And in order to be called a Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva wine, they must be aged for at least 34 months, including two years in a wine barrel and six months in a wine bottle. In addition, these wines must have at least 13 percent alcohol. But enough about the rules. Let’s get to how these wines taste.
2016 Podere Montale Montecucco Sangiovese ($27 Suggested Retail Price)
This intense, dark-colored red wine has a wide range of bold, earthy, vibrant fruit flavors, including hints of roasted blackberry and cherry along with dashes of fresh-cut cedar and dark chocolate. Full-throttled fun in a bottle.
2018 Poggio Stenti Tribulo Montecucco Sangiovese ($29 SRP)
Made entirely with sangiovese grapes, this lively, energetic wine has a wonderful array of vivacious flavors, including toasted almonds fresh-picked cherries, blueberries and other ripe berry flavors. Graceful and charming.
2016 Pian Di Staffa Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva ($25 SRP)
Another Montecucco Sangiovese made entirely with sangiovese wines, this complex, red wine has a lot of character and personality. Flavors range from dark chocolate and roasted cherries to layers of roasted red pepper, blackberries and toasted almonds. Delicious and delightful.
2016 Tenuta L’Impostino Viandante Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva ($35 SRP)
Made entirely with sangiovese grapes aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, this wine is bright and lively, tasting like autumn in a glass. With hints of blackcurrant, cherry, tobacco, and dark chocolate, it is another beautiful, elegant example of an aged sangiovese wine.
Free Italian Wine Tasting – Provisions in Northampton is hosting a free wine tasting focused on Italian wines. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 16 from 4 pm to 7 pm, located at 30 Crafts Avenue. More event details can be found on Provision’s website.
High Score, Low Price – Table & Vine is hosting a wine tasting class featuring highly-rated wines that are less than $20 a bottle. The tasting will occur on Thursday, Feb., 22 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at 1119 Riverdale Street, West Springfield. Tickets are $20 and can be bought on Table & Vine’s website.
Boston Wine Expo – The Boston Wine Expo will be held March 2 and 3 at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza Hotel, 50 Park Plaza, Boston. Wine tastings will be held each day, along with specialized wine tasting seminars at different times throughout the weekend. For tickets and more information, visit the Boston Wine Expo’s website.
Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.
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Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl After-Party: Vodka Cranberries and Chicken Fingers Until Dawn
While Taylor Swift was notably chugging beers at the Super Bowl, she later switched to her customary vodka cranberry to celebrate her boyfriend’s victory at an expensive nightclub post-game.
After the Kansas City Chiefs overcame the San Francisco 49ers in overtime, tight end Travis Kelce was seen reveling in the team’s third Super Bowl triumph with his pop star girlfriend at Resorts World Las Vegas and Zouk Nightclub, the location of the official post-game party.
As reported by The Sun, the pair continued to party into the wee hours and later visited XS Nightclub nearby. Taylor Swift certainly holds the musical talent in the relationship, but Kelce was seen on stage with famous DJ Marshmello too. They even danced to Swift’s track “Love Story” earlier in the evening.
The party allegedly didn’t end until past 5 a.m., and the couple indulged in some late-night chicken fingers, as reported by a source from the nightclub.
If you can’t find joy in a video of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce dancing to Love Story that then pans to Jason Kelce on stage with Marshmello while wearing a wrestling mask then you need to reevaluate some things. pic.twitter.com/By7qpeBgbF
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) February 12, 2024
Before the official after party, Swift and Kelce celebrated on the field with a sweet kiss.
“Oh my god. I can’t believe that. I can’t believe it. How did you do that?” Taylor reportedly told her tight end BF. “I’m so proud of you?”
According to Entertainment Tonight, Travis reportedly asked, “Was it electric?”
Who would’ve thought that in 2024 we will see videos of Taylor dancing at club to Love Story and You Belong With Me with her footballer boyfriend!!! pic.twitter.com/kPALmqViBi
— Taylor Throwbacks (@ThrowbackTaylor) February 12, 2024
“Unbelievable,” Taylor replied. “It was unbelievable. That was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.” During the game, Swift cheered on Kelce alongside pals Blake Lively and Ice Spice, as well as her parents, and Travis’ whole family. She was seated in one of the $2.5 million Allegiant Stadium suites, which Kelce hinted at paying for during a recent “New Heights” podcast episode.
“I’m not really doing much different other than just counting how much money I’m spending on this damn Super Bowl for family and friends to come,” Kelce said.
The luxe suites had an equally high-end menu, which included a shrimp cocktail tower, king crab fried rice, lobster and steak quesadillas, and a wagyu loaded hot dog that was topped with crispy onions, banana peppers, and wagyu brisket burnt ends. Taylor was *clearly* eating well.
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Beer Nut: Exploring My Top Six Favorite Beer Glasses
Columnist George Lenker shares his favorite beer glasses. George Lenker
As I’ve mentioned over the years, I’m not overly fussy about my glassware for beer.
Don’t get me wrong: The choice of the right glassware can certainly enhance certain types of beer. And whenever I can, I try to use the glassware that is made for a specific style. I just refuse to be priggish about it. In the end, a good beer isn’t going to be ruined by the wrong type of glassware.
But after receiving a gift of a proper Guinness imperial pint glass from one of my favorite pubs (Tig Coili) in Galway, Ireland, I had occasion to reshuffle my four shelves of beer glassware, and I was appreciating some of them quite a bit. (The glass I received was the old-school Guinness pint glass, a style which has been largely phased out in the U.S. and can usually only be procured by pubs in Ireland.)
This reshuffling activity inspired me to write this column, which is about my six favorite beer glasses. I own more but wanted to feature the ones I find most useful. (Even though it is clearly beloved, my new Guinness glass was not included here.)
In no particular order, here are my six go-to beer glasses.
Mug – I don’t use this one often, but with its thick glass walls and easy-to -grip handle, my mug (an old-timer from Young’s & Co.) I’ve maybe had this longer than most of my current collection due to occasional breakage during my many moves in my adult life. It’s great for most conventional ales and lagers, but has also seen a stout or Scottish ale at various points of its lengthy career. It keeps cold beer colder by keeping your hands off the glass itself. It also makes one feel like a pirate or Viking while quaffing from it.
Snifter – I have several of these, but my favorite is one I got from the Northampton Brewery during its 25th anniversary celebration years ago. It has a little bit of a tulip rim to it, which I like, but the overall upward and inward taper of the glass’ shape still channels the brew’s aromatic volatiles right to your nose. This glass is perfect for IPAs with a lot of aromatic hops and many types of Belgian beers. I call it a “wine lover’s glass” because you can swirl your beer around in it like wine and cognac aficionados are prone to doing.
Pilsner – This piece of glassware was part of my collection for the Northampton Brewery’s 25th anniversary. The pilsner glass, with its tall and sleek design, is best for displaying the bubbles in highly carbonated drinks. These glasses are specifically designed for lighter, more revitalizing beers, a fact that their shape only emphasizes. Although they can be utilized for hefeweizens, I refrain from doing so as I prefer using a different glassware…
Weizen Glass – My feelings towards wheat beers are mixed, but occasion calls for a good Weizenbock or hefeweizen and they deserve their own special vessels. Unlike the slim and narrow pilsner glasses that expand evenly towards the mouth of the glass, Weizen glasses have curves similar to a 1940s pin-up starlet. These glasses can hold more liquid and are perfect to maintain the frothy heads typical of weizens. My favourite version of this glass style is from the much-loved but sadly missed Sierra Grille.
Tulip – I recently added this type of glass to my collection. I own a few snifters and typically use those for beers like Belgian ales, double IPAs and other aromatic brews, which the tulip glasses are designed for. But I was drawn to the elegance of this tulip glass during a visit to Couch Dog Brewing in Salem, so I purchased one. The tulip leads in some aspects, particularly its stem that keeps your hand’s warmth away from the bowl if needed. Plus, I adore its beautiful design which includes an etched dog on the glass.
Nonic Pint Glass – Last, but definitely not least, the Nonic pint glass is the one I use the most. Like many beer enthusiasts, I have a number of standard American pint glasses adorned with brewery logos. However, the nonic glass, with its little bump near the top makes me feel like I am in an old British pub. I have quite a few of these, but my favorite is from the legendary British brewery, Fuller’s.
What are your favorite pieces of glassware that you own? Reach me at geolenker@yahoo.com
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The Impact of Haiti’s Gang Crisis on the Rum Industry: Torched Sugarcane Fields
Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.
Haiti’s renowned rum has become the newest victim of violent gangs vying to control a growing number of businesses and territory in the troubled Caribbean nation.
At least 19.8 acres of sugarcane fields were torched in recent days as rival gangs fought near the Rhum Barbancourt distillery in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, the company said in a statement Sunday.
Rum is derived from sugarcane. The number of acres burned would cover more than four soccer fields, but Barbancourt officials stressed the lost fields would not affect production.
HAITIAN PM HENRY URGES CALM AS PROTESTERS, RIOTERS INSIST THAT HE RESIGNS
The company’s foundation, however, said it would temporarily stop distributing free potable water, providing medical care, and offering the use of football fields and basketball courts in order to protect the safety of its employees.
Haiti’s rum is considered one of the country’s most popular exports.
The Haitian flag is hoisted against a clear sky at the site of the presidential palace, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, April 19, 2011.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has signaled that in excess of 800 victims were either massacred, wounded or abducted across Haiti in January, a figure that is over triple when contrasted with the same month in 2023. An additional approximated count of 300 gang affiliates were also reported dead or hurt in the previous month, he disclosed.
He referred to the escalated intensity of gang skirmishes, some of which persist for numerous hours, as a possible sign that certain gangs have recently procured new supplies of ammunition.
Haiti is also in the process of recuperating from a recent surge in aggressive demonstrations demanding the stepping down of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Türk stated that a minimum of 16 individuals lost their lives and close to 30 others were wounded during these protests, predominantly in clashes with law enforcement.
In the meantime, gang violence progresses with no cessation in sight.
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“Every day that goes by, new victims are reported,” Türk said late last week as he urged the swift deployment of a U.N-backed Kenyan police force that has been stalled in court.
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Guideline to Purchasing the Limited Edition Whiskey Bottles through Lottery: Almost 2,000 Rare Bottles Up for Grabs!
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is making 1,896 bottles of rare whiskeys from the Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique Collections available to purchase through a lottery.
Whiskey lovers have their chance to land some rare bottles this week.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is making 1,896 bottles of rare whiskeys from the Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique Collections available to purchase through a lottery. For a chance to win the chance to purchase a bottle, Pennsylvania residents and licensees must enter the lottery by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.
There will be two lotteries for each of the whiskeys available. Participants have the chance to enter one or both.
The first lottery held will be for 513 bottles from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2023. Winning entries are limited to one bottle — which costs $124.99 — per participant.
The bottles available are:
The second lottery will be for 1,383 bottles of Pappy Van Winkle. Winning entries are limited to one bottle per participant.
The bottles include:
To be eligible to enter, consumers and licensees must have an active account with Fine Wine and Good Spirts with current billing information on file.
Upon winning, residents are prohibited to resell any bottles of whiskey purchased.
The lotteries are open to Pennsylvania residents and licensees 21 years old or older who provide both a verifiable Pennsylvania billing address and a Fine Wine and Good Spirits store address at registration.
You can find more information on the Fine Wine & Good Spirits site.
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Innovating in Charlottesville: A New Wine Shop Offering Affordable Wines
Week in Review
The once bustling Benny Deluca’s pizzeria, known widely as the “home of the Virginia slice”, has given way to the shiny new Grape & Grain Exchange, a store specializing in wines and beers, on Charlottesville’s West Main Street.
Grape & Grain Exchange threw open its doors to customers on February 1, operating from the 913 W. Main St. location. Living up to its name, it has an impressive range of wines, beers, seltzers, and energy drinks. The shop particularly focuses on catering to the University of Virginia students and hospital workers passing by.
Let’s rewind a bit to remember that Benny Deluca’s had been a landmark at the West Main spot from as far back as 2014. However, they shut down in the July of 2023. We still await news about whether they plan to spring back somewhere else in the city. Furthermore, they’ve scrubbed Charlottesville off their list of Virginia locations on the chain’s website.
There is indeed no shortage of wine shops in Charlottesville. A mere third of a mile from Grape & Grain sits Bottle House; Feast at Main Street Market, boasting an impressive selection of wines, is just a few hundred feet away; and further down the road, one can find Crush Pad Wines, Market Street Wines and Tastings of Charlottesville right by or just off the Downtown Mall.
Picture a pedestrian strolling past Grape & Grain Exchange, a shop on West Main Street focused on providing a wide variety of wine and beer, on the crowdless evening of Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.
However, Dru Patel, the owner of Grape & Grain, and his brother and business associate, Nick, affirm that their shop offers something fresh to the scenario.
The Patel brothers were moved by a tour of Europe during which they got a chance to explore an array of wine shops across different countries. Filled with inspiration, they returned to the United States resolved to introduce Charlottesville to the unique concept of small, affordable wine shops.
With the Benny Deluca’s space on the market, the brothers seized the opportunity to convert the 1,400-square-foot area into their dream concept.
Observing the location, it bears similarity to any other wine shop in town. The distinguishing factor of Grape & Grain Exchange is affordability.
Wines on display are clearly seen at the Grape & Grain Exchange, a shop specializing in wine and beer located on West Main Street in Charlottesville, documented on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.
“We’re challenging the common perception that high-quality wine must be expensive,” Dru Patel disclosed to The Daily Progress. “Every wine in here is priced below $20, yet these are brands that consumers will readily identify.”
The Patel brothers have identified the business opportunities available on West Main in Charlottesville, thanks to its close proximity to the downtown area, Grounds, the Corner and UVa Medical Center. Their family is no stranger to the potential of this area, as their father, Vasu Patel, runs the Mini Mart convenience store a few steps away from Grape & Grain.
Ever since Vasu Patel and his family left Kenya over two decades ago, he’s been involved in the retail industry, says Dru Patel. The family’s retail ventures in Charlottesville include the Mini Mart, Grape & Grain, and the 9th Street Market. The latter is a convenient store located behind the Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant downtown, which the Patel brothers launched about half a year ago.
Shortly after the opening of Grape & Grain, the Patel brothers began discussing additional expansion plans.
Dru Patel, who owns the Grape & Grain Exchange, was photographed at the Charlottesville wine and beer shop on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
“We are focused on seeing how this goes, but it’s also our stepping stone,” said Dru Patel, referring to the wine shop. “We are looking to branch out by the end of the year with hopefully another location with more space.”
Grape & Grain is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. To keep up to date on new arrivals, events and promotions, customers can visit the Grape & Grain Instagram: cvillegrapeandgrain.
The interior of Grape & Grain Exchange, a wine and beer shop on West Main Street in Charlottesville, is seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.
Emily Hemphill (540) 855-0362
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Week in Review
Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka Secures Nationwide Distribution Through Costco
Entrepreneurs Charlie Gilpin and Sam Moss from East London participated in BBC One’s Dragons’ Den on February 8th, 2024. The duo, who are founders of STOCKED, are childhood friends from Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Visit their website here for more details.
19 Crimes, an award-winning global wine brand by Treasury Wine Estates, launched a limited-edition Valentine’s Day label design. This launch is backed by one of their most impressive integrated campaigns. Check their website here for more.
Starting from 2024, Advanced Power Solutions (APS) brings forth its unique batteries targeted towards a younger audience, changing the mobile energy industry paradigm. The emphasis is on native manufacturing.
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Glencadam, the famed distillery from East Highland, has made known the release of two brand new cask finishes in limited production. These releases are part of their award-winning single malt age statement range. The highlight from this range is the Glencadam 15-year-old Reserva…
British natural mineral water brand, Drip Water, under the aegis of Big Zuu, has achieved its major supermarket listing through Morrisons. Morrisons will present both Still and Sparkling variants of the brand across 1,500…
The ready-to-drink beverage label, VK, is stirring up excitement in the drinks industry with its new #WEAREFLAVOUR campaign. As part of this campaign, VK encourages consumers to imagine, mix, match, and suggest the next flavour to be released…
In a remarkable partnership, ROKA London, a premium bag and apparel label known for their superior quality craftsmanship, style and utility, are working together with internationally acclaimed Natural History Museum. This collaboration aims to blend form and function with inspiration drawn from the natural world…
The craft spirits brand Freeland Spirits, which is based in Portland, is now available in Whole Foods stores located in Washington State, California, Minnesota, Colorado, and Massachusetts. The brand is synonymous with precision and passion, in their inaugural…
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Biden’s Ground-Level Approach: Boba Tea, Burgers, and Beer on The Road to November Victory
Joe Biden, despite his declining popularity, seems to be the inevitable choice as the Democratic Party’s candidate for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Alex Panetta, a journalist at CBC, analyzes why the party is persisting with Biden as their nominee and evaluates what awaits him if he is to engage in another competition against Donald Trump.
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is going small with the aim of achieving greater results in November.
With 10 months remaining before Election Day, the Democratic incumbent is fully committed to low-key events – like visits to a boba tea shop, a family’s kitchen, or a barbershop, as opposed to large-scale rallies.
Biden, who has never been a big public speaker, is utilizing his proficiency as a retail politician, a skill he’s developed over his 50 years in political office. This tactic also portrays his team’s perception of the transformed media setting, where reaching voters via TikTok videos and Instagram stories could be more productive than traditional television ads and speeches.
President Joe Biden was seen engaging in a conversation at No. 1 Boba Tea in Las Vegas on Monday. This comes as he adopts a minimalist approach to events instead of large gatherings with the Election Day just 10 months away.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, the previous month, Biden paid a visit to Cook Out to buy burgers and fries. He then delivered the takeout to Eric Fitts’ house where he was about to have what his campaign referred to as a “kitchen table conversation”. Eric is an employee of the local school system who has enjoyed the benefits of student loan forgiveness programs introduced by the administration.
The campaign recorded the visit but did not allow media coverage. However, selected parts of the visit were later shared on the internet. An unplanned highlight that caught the campaign team’s attention was a video shared by Christian, one of Fitts’ sons, on TikTok. The video, about a minute long, provided an insider’s view of Biden’s visit- it showed the president taking notice of photos on the family’s fridge and his limousine leaving their driveway.
Though the campaign team doesn’t use TikTok due to national security considerations, they didn’t hesitate to direct reporters to the video after it amassed millions of views quickly.
President Joe Biden paid a visit to the Regal Lounge barber shop in Columbia, S.C. on the 27th of January. He spent time interacting with the barbers, staff, and customers, prior to the Democratic primary in the state scheduled for February 3.
According to Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Rob Flaherty, visits like these are essential. He said that in today’s world, where people have access to diverse media platforms that fulfill their unique preferences, reaching essential voters can be quite difficult.
The voters that Biden is often trying to reach are usually least engaged with the political process. They are younger, racially more diverse than the overall population, and not overly enthusiastic about the anticipated face-off between Biden and ex-President Donald Trump.
Flaherty emphasized the necessity of expanding the scope of the president’s efforts – in terms of what is considered a good use of his time, who his target audience is, and the reasons for communication.
Biden commenced the presidential election year with key speeches close to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and in Charleston, South Carolina, intended to establish the voting choices in November. According to his campaign, he plans to keep holding significant events, primarily closer to summer when voter attention increases, however, they place equal or more emphasis on smaller gatherings.
The president’s subdued oratory style and occasionally meandering speeches at larger gatherings have been exploited by Trump and Republican detractors, fuelling the idea that the 81-year-old president isn’t equipped for another presidential term. In contrast, Trump rarely holds local events, preferring his characteristic large scale rallies with avid supporters, many of whom line up for hours for admission, and appearances at sporting events.
The campaign predicts Biden’s ‘go-small’ tactic will reveal a fresh aspect of the president to the American public, potentially enhancing his dropping poll numbers.
This strategy came into full force this year with a sequence of visits to small enterprises in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, where the president showed surprise at the variety in a local cycle store and engaged in conversation with the owner of a running specialty shop, highlighting his economic policies’ impact. Given his affection for sweet treats, Biden sought to find out from an employee at a coffee shop nearby if they made smoothies, and one was quickly prepared for him.
President Joe Biden, while being at the center of attention, is seen clicking pictures with the patrons at They Say restaurant in Harper Woods, Michigan during a visit on Feb. 1. Biden deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty had once quoted, preferring hundred outside individuals appreciating Biden over a single content from his own team saying the same.
Apart from the gentler aspects of politics, Biden’s aids also emphasize that their primary aim is to let the president or the people he interacts with, to boost the president’s message.
While visiting Emmaus, Biden shared with the reporters that one of the entrepreneurs he had been speaking to, had assured him that he could now reassure his kid expressing, “Everything is going to be absolutely fine. We are going to make it.”
In a span of two weeks, Biden interacted with around two dozen patrons at a taproom in Superior, Wisconsin. The patrons, although, were sipping on to their mid-afternoon beers, managed to take some time out to listen to Biden, who doesn’t consume alcohol, talk about the revival and growth of the economy at a nearby brewery.
“Performing these halts allows the movement to showcase this perspective of Biden that has eternally disrupted the commotion for those electors who are not stuck to cable news,” articulated Kate Berner, a prior deputy director of communications for Biden in the White House.
Biden recently socialized with the stylists, team, and customers at the African American-owned Regal Lounge located in Columbia, South Carolina, just before the state’s Dem primary on 3rd February. Prior to the Michigan contest on 27th February, Biden’s campaign escorted a local entrepreneur in the presidential armored vehicle from the runway parallel to Air Force One to a neighborhood restaurant.
And the day before the Nevada primary, Biden made a detour to an Asian American-owned bubble tea shop in Las Vegas and a motel on the iconic strip to interact with a small assembly of the state’s powerful culinary union workers.
Biden has consistently been outstanding at retail politics. Those viral instants – and even the ones circulated in smaller circles – accumulate, as stated by Flaherty.
“I would rather have 100 outside voices saying Joe Biden is great than one piece of content from us saying Joe Biden is great,” he said.
In November 2023, the Biden administration launched a two-week national rural “barnstorm.” The aim was to showcase the administration’s achievements to rural America, a potentially crucial player in the 2024 presidential election.
On November 1, President Biden initiated the tour with a speech at Dutch Creek Farms, located in Minnesota’s southern Dakota County. With a challenging reelection campaign on the horizon, Biden focused on his efforts to improve the lives of farmers who are struggling due to the current pandemic and the further strain of climate change. The Daily Yonder noted that while some of his comments echoed with rural audience members, they missed the mark for others.
The Minnesota family farm event was the only one Biden attended personally during the rural tour, which also included stops in urban locations, such as Indianapolis. Perhaps his visit to Minnesota held strategic importance for bagging votes in the 2024 elections. Even though the farm where Biden gave his speech, nestled in Dakota County, doesn’t qualify as rural according to the federal definition—as it is among the seven counties that make up the Twin Cities metropolitan area—it lies only three miles north of rural Rice County, where Biden lost to Trump by a margin of less than a point.
He is also struggling to raise funds from Minnesota donors. As of September 2023, former President Donald Trump raised just over $580,000 from Minnesota donors, more than Biden’s $388,000. And an Emerson College poll from October 2023 showed Biden held only a slight two-point lead over Trump when the president’s rural tour was underway.
Meanwhile, a national poll indicated that economic issues are top-of-mind among rural voters.
Results of the poll, conducted by the Center for Rural Strategies and Lake Research Partners, were released the same day Biden spoke in Minnesota. It found that rural voters were most concerned about the high cost of goods, affordable housing, and corporate greed. Biden’s speech also came about a month after a Reuters poll found 71% of rural Americans disapproved of his presidential performance.
Brad Kluver of Dutch Creek Farms, a third-generation farmer, speaking with President Joe Biden.
Inside a barn on the 81-acre Dutch Creek Farms, Biden discussed his strategies to improve rural quality of life, primarily through an agricultural perspective. His plan involves funding for the growth of cover crops to mitigate climate change, support for smaller meat processing operations, and funds for broadband, clean water, roads, and electrical supplies. By doing so, Biden aims to tackle the high price of goods, curb corporate greed and ensure affordability for residents of rural America.
Biden’s investment plans include nearly $1.7 billion for advanced “climate-smart” agricultural practices. He also plans to add $2 billion to increase health care and affordable housing access in rural communities associated with the Rural Partners Network. There will be $1.1 billion set aside for renewing rural electrical and water infrastructure, $145 million for farmers to implement clean energy technologies like solar panels, and an additional $274 million to extend high-speed internet access to rural communities.
This is in addition to the $1 billion already invested through the American Rescue Plan to support small to medium-sized meat processors. In his address, Biden mentioned Brad Kluver, the owner of Dutch Creek Farms, who had to sell his hogs through social media when large meat processing plants shut down due to the pandemic.
In his address, he stated that their plan allows farmers to diversify and earn added income by selling into local markets, rather than depending on a single income stream subject to commodity markets and large corporations. Biden insisted, “Due to these investments we’re making, family farms like this will stay within the family and successors like Brad won’t have to leave their homes to earn their living.”
Photo: Angela Dawson, a hemp farmer from Pine County, Minnesota is hopeful about some of Biden’s efforts.
Some attendees expressed their belief that Biden is performing well. Angela Dawson, an African American hemp farmer from Pine County, located midway between the Twin Cities and Duluth in Minnesota, praised Biden’s attempts to address racial inequity in agriculture, despite it being ultimately overruled by a federal judge.
“I have a sense that [Biden] has made commendable strides. Traditionally, farmers of color have been the last to be considered in many administrations. It’s a refreshing change to see us being a higher priority this time, and I hope this continues,” stated Dawson, noting that the Black farming population has reduced by more than 90% over the past century.
Rodrigo Cala concurred. Cala, who is associated with the Latino Economic Development Center, a St. Paul-based entity that fosters economic growth for Latino families, was granted funding from the USDA,, sponsored by the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, to enhance the access small farmers have to land, financial resources, and markets. The firm intends to assist aspiring Latino farmers in purchasing land in Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin from next year onward.
Cala expressed that there is still much left for the Biden administration to do for farmers, especially those of color. She pointed out that the future farmers of our country are rapidly aging, with the average farmer now being 58 years old. She further emphasized the need for diversity, particularly in the rural areas of the country. For this, she pointed towards increasing racial and ethnic diversity.
One such future farmer is Tessa Parks, who has a mixed heritage of white, Japanese, and Filipino backgrounds. Tessa and her husband moved to Minnesota, specifically to the same Dakota County township where Biden gave his speech, to start a farm.
The architect behind the move to Minnesota were the high living costs in Washington which made it unaffordable for them to live, let alone run a farm. Tessa expressed her longing for her familiar city’s comfort, particularly her mother and grandmother’s cooking, while pointing out the threat of climate change as a motivation behind their farming endeavour in Minnesota.
After Biden’s speech, in a conversation with the Daily Yonder, Parks expressed her desire to hear more regarding health care and child care. The goal is clear, she doesn’t want to face bankruptcy for wanting to choose to have a child. She shared her worry about personal and health care costs colliding with mortgage payments, commuting costs to work, which in turn pay for their farm, their home and their food.
Parks expressed her worries about potentially needing help on their farmland, especially in instances where she or her spouse falls sick. While speaking, she disclosed the reality of their situation: the inability to rely on their fathers for assistance due to the distance separating them. They are unfortunately situated in Washington state, making it impossible for them to lend the necessary hands-on support.
Efforts by the Biden administration to make healthcare more affordable and accessible have been consistent. They have initiated moves to defend patients from unexpected bills and reduce low-quality healthcare options. Despite the affordability, these plans are often termed “junk” due to the poor coverage they provide. Moreover, the administration has approached a split Congress to solicit a huge USD 16 billion funding to ensure nationwide availability of childcare.
Despite the steps taken by the administration, Parks remains uneasy. She and her husband both have expensive health insurance and have recently finished paying off their accumulated medical debts. While farming is a passion for them, both also hold full-time jobs focusing on sustainable farming methods. Currently, they are living in Rice County, a town nearby their farm, as they can’t afford to stay on their farmland.
Parks confessed her frustrations, explaining her feeling of exclusion from the Biden administration’s vision and initiatives for small family farms and rural America. Her concern was that these programs appeared largely targeted towards established, multi-generational farms, primarily owned by white landowners, and conveniently overlooks those in dire situations, like hers. They struggle to afford rent, tirelessly invest their time and energy into maintaining and cultivating the land, but are never assured any security, she narrated.
Biden was joined in Minnesota by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Shortly afterward, Vilsack traveled to Indianapolis to speak about the Farm Bill, improving electrical infrastructure in rural Indiana, and engaging youth in agriculture, at the National Future Farmers of America convention in Indianapolis. Vilsack also met with the Western Governors’ Association in Wyoming to talk about how farmers can address climate change, and delivered opening remarks at a water symposium at Colorado State University.
Other cabinet appearances included Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, Deputy Secretary of Veteran Affairs Tanya Bradsher, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Centers for Disease Control director Mandy Cohen, and others. These stops covered funding for rural issues like meat processing and wastewater handling, electrical access and infrastructure, veteran affairs, education, and health care.
This story was produced by the The Daily Yonder and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
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Despite sinking popularity, Joe Biden appears destined to lead the Democratic Party in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. CBC’s Alex Panetta…
The Whiskey Ring Corruption Trial of 1876: A National Sensation in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS • As a crowd huddled against the courtroom door, the bailiff held his ground. “Unless you hold a pass or are indicted for whiskey frauds, you are not permitted to enter,” he declared.
Journalists from every corner of the nation crammed into the U.S. Post Office and Custom House located at 218 North Third Street. The reason? A trial that began on February 8, 1876, and lasted for an astounding 18 days. At the center of all the attention was one Orville E. Babcock, who served as private secretary to President Ulysses S. Grant and was now the alleged mastermind behind the notorious “whiskey ring.”
Babcock had also been Grant’s aide during the final months of the Civil War and was present when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865.
Upon Grant’s subsequent Presidential victory three years down the line, Babcock was brought onto the White House team to manage his correspondence. Prosecutors alleged that Babcock, unbeknownst to others, facilitated a multi-city scheme that enabled liquor distillers to evade taxes. There is, however, no evidence indicating that Grant was involved. His only mistake was blind loyalty.
The national scandal broke here in 1875. Four prominent local men already had been convicted when Babcock went on trial. Every day, crowds gathered on Third Street as Babcock, often attired in silk hat, light jacket and sky-blue pants, sauntered to and from his lodging at the Lindell Hotel, Sixth Street and Washington Avenue.
Prosecutors pieced together a case of incriminating coded telegrams for the jury of seven farmers, three blacksmiths, a wagonmaker and a bricklayer. Defense lawyers had something no one has enjoyed before or since – a deposition by a sitting president, taken in the White House, on behalf of a criminal defendant. They presented Grant’s transcript Feb. 17. That same day, William T. Sherman, then a St. Louis resident and Grant’s wartime brother in arms, took the stand and said of Babcock, “His character has been very good.”
Babcock’s lawyers painted the prosecution as attacking Grant himself, a man who once had been a farmer in south St. Louis County. On Feb. 24, the jury needed only two hours to acquit Babcock of conspiracy to defraud the government.
The jubilation began on Third Street and moved to the Lindell, where Babcock and friends, including Sherman in uniform, held forth from the balcony over Washington. Babcock told the crowd, “I can only thank you most heartily for your kindness.”
He was the only major figure in the scandal to win acquittal, but soon was forced from the White House. Grant made him a lighthouse inspector, and Babcock drowned on duty eight years later.
The Old Custom House, at Third and Olive, was demolished in 1941 to make way for the Gateway Arch grounds.
Read more stories from Tim O’Neil’s Look Back series.
With a weekly newsletter looking back at local history.
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On Nov. 1, 1965, police declared Gaslight Square one of the safest sections of the city, but the public wasn’t buying it.
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It started out wet on Jan. 30, 1982, then dumped 14 inches of snow on St. Louis.
Highlighting the Rise of a Californian Wine Star and Their Captivating Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyards Owned by a Telecom Pioneer
Skipstone vineyards with mustard flowers
Steep terraced vineyards at Skipstone
Almost akin to a dream being realized, he saw the steepest slope ever, filled with beautifully maintained Cabernet Sauvignon vines comfortably nestled in carved terraces. This sight was truly remarkable for this self-made telecom pioneer, who had traversed the world and experienced various forms of natural beauty. Initially, he had no intentions to make wine but the overpowering elegance of this estate was a seductive call he could not refuse. Within an hour, he became the owner of the property.
Fahri Diner, a man always ready for a challenge and consistently dreaming big, even without the necessary wealth and connections. His origins trace back to Cyprus, an island country to the east of Greece where he grew up in a farming family with a fondness for making olive oil. An academic scholarship gave him the opportunity to go to the U.S. and study Electrical Engineering at Florida Tech, leading to the founding of Qtera, a fiber-optic company that later sold for $3.25 billion. Fahri, after numerous business ventures post Qtera, desired another passion that would connect him with his familial roots. He wanted to get back to small-scale farming and produce high-quality crops, similar to the olive oil made by his family. The big question was, would he remain in Florida, return to Cyprus, or find a ranch in the beautiful state of California?
View of terraced vineyards from the Residence at Skipstone
Fahri did what he always did when having to make a big decision. He went to a lake and skipped a stone; if it skipped three times, he would go to California and look for a ranch to reconnect to his farming roots. It was three times, hence, his two-year journey seeking out a unique property throughout California, from as south as Santa Barbara to as north as Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, began. Most people told him Napa was the place to be but Fahri has always trusted his instincts and didn’t see any properties that felt right. One day, in 2001, someone told him about a property in the Alexander Valley area in Sonoma County. When he had that moment of coming over the crest of the road, taking in those terraced vineyards on an extremely steep slope, he knew that this was the place, especially since there were olive trees so that he could make olive oil.
At first, he sold the grapes from the vineyards to local wineries eager to get them. Still, it bothered him that these rare vineyards were not getting the acknowledgment they deserved. So, he hired a team of experts, such as winemaker Philippe Melka, a true living legend in the wine industry, to express the place’s unique terroir and aptly take on the name Skipstone as a wine producer. Reconnecting to his roots while combining it with his love for the U.S., his second home that has given him so much opportunity, has led to the completion of the Skipstone winery. The journey began in earnest with the hiring of rising winemaking star Laura Jones as the head winemaker.
Landscape view with terraced vineyards and Skipstone estate during winter
Alexander Valley may not be a household name for Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Still, it is considered by many in the California wine industry to be one of the most important wine regions for Cabernet Sauvignon, only second to Napa Valley. Many well-known wine producers source Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Alexander Valley, giving little attention to the place, and there are some ultra-premium Cabernet producers with Alexander Valley on their labels. Still, the wine producer often sticks with customers, while Alexander Valley often goes unnoticed. But that was part of what drew Fahri to this place; it was an underdog such as himself, and it deserved someone who would show its full potential.
Laura Jones
His new head winemaking star, Laura Jones, is also an underdog who built a pedigree based on intelligence, talent and hard work, as she is originally from Wyoming but was able to get herself on the track of going into medical research in California, but when she was looking into grad schools, an encounter with someone in the wine world placed her on another path. So, she graduated from the prestigious graduate program in Viticulture and Enology from U.C. Davis and then went on to not only work in stellar wineries in California, such as Aubert Wines and Cliff Lede, but also spent some time in New Zealand and in Burgundy, France, at Domaine Armand Rousseau to give her an international perspective as well.
Even though there are only 27 acres of vineyards out of the 200-acre estate, the first thing Laura wanted to do was to employ precision viticulture practices by assessing the nuanced differences of each plot. So she installed three weather stations, one on the steeper hillside, one near the flatter part of the vineyards and one halfway up the hillside. During the summertime, there can be a seven to eight-degree difference between some parcels.
Laura Jones at the sorting table
One of the things that Laura loves about Skipstone, other than their exceptional vineyards, is that they employ a full-time vineyard crew. This is unusual as most vineyards hire temporary crews during the busiest seasons. Because Skipstone operates a 180-degree amphitheater with a high 60% slope, there’s constant work throughout the year due to the challenging terrain. Skipstone’s vineyard manager, Juan Alcantara, has stayed onboard for 16 years, and half of the crew have been around for 15 years, a testament to the stability which is uncommon in the ever-changing wine business. Laura values this stability because it allows consistent collaboration with the same team for refining vineyard management. This organic way of working has earned them a CCOF certification since 2008. Laura looks forward to bringing more precision to the expression of each parcel, focusing in on the rocky soils that provide more concentration, the gravel where Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc excel, and the clay-rich plots that are well suited to Merlot and Malbec.
Woman making notes in a field
Philippe Melka will continue as a consulting winemaker but Fahri understood the necessity to hire a full-time head winemaker like Laura to take their wines to a new level. He admired Laura’s admirable educational background and work history, and found it even more impressive because she started with none of the usual business advantages. Fahri values those who demonstrate passion and dedication beyond just having pedigree. Laura’s commitment to her work, coupled with being married to Skipstone’s general manager, Brian Ball, ensures her full dedication to the winery’s success.
It’s not always smooth sailing in any marriage, particularly when both parties want their own success. Laura and Brian have navigated this journey of self-accomplishment since their meeting at U.C. Davis years ago. There’s no guarantee that a winery team will remain intact; it’s almost inevitable that people will come and go. This can cause setbacks in progress as new team dynamics take shape and try to achieve extraordinary output. Despite these challenges, Laura, having tasted the exquisite wines of Skipstone and seen their remarkable vineyards, decided to align her journey with them.
Residence at Skipstone from a bird’s eye view
The splendour of Skipstone is now available for experience through staycations at the ‘Residence at Skipstone’. It offers visitors the life of a vintner with unmatched luxury. Originally, the residence was home to Fahri, Constance and their little children. Their former abode mirrors a European castle with exterior stones sourced from the property, and each sink cut and polished from a single boulder found within the estate. It’s spectacular to see the breathtaking facets of this 8,344 square foot home that houses five en suite bedrooms and a gourmet kitchen. However, Fahri and family moved back to Switzerland for their children to grow up amidst relatives. Now the residence is up for booking that can accommodate up to ten guests. Their estate director can arrange for everything from top restaurant reservations, winery tours, access to the Mayacama Country Club’s golf course, and wine tasting at the residence. The wine tasting not only includes Skipstone wines but also those from Fahri’s personal cellar, with a wide selection of old Bordeaux, Napa and Sonoma producers from early 1990s to 2000s and a variety of Champagne being some of the highlighted features.
More improvements are underway at Skipstone with a second floor being added to their winery as a vibrant hospitality centre. They are deeply committed to sustainability and anticipate becoming the fourth winery to receive the Platinum certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as all their projects will be powered by 100% renewable energy.
Lineup of Skipstone wines
2021 Skipstone, Preface Proprietary Red Blend, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of various Cabernet Sauvignon parcels on the estate. Preface is a selection from Cabernet Sauvignon vines that make a wine that drinks well at an earlier stage and it is at an approachable price point, so it is a great introduction to the Skipstone portfolio. This wine also allows for a stricter selection for their flagship, Oliver’s Blend. Lovely balance with red cherries and black raspberries with hints of broken earth and a beautiful texture finishing with a pretty floral quality.
2021 Skipstone, Malbec, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California: 100% Malbec. Since they have a fair amount of Malbec that does really well in the clay-dominant parcels, they wanted to make a varietal bottling of Malbec to showcase that particular section. Laura loves the “inherent deliciousness” of their Malbec as they go out of their way to thin the crop, sometimes 50%, to get the highest quality. Yet, she balances out the fruit’s generosity by placing a portion of the wine in amphora, which brings out a savory quality. Decadent dark fruit with juicy blueberry and plum tart on the palate with a hint of allspice and dry herbs with a silky texture and long, flavorful finish.
2021 Skipstone, Ripple Effect, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Merlot, mainly from the Skipstone estate vineyards, with a tiny portion coming from another plot on the hillside outside of their estate. This wine is called Ripple Effect because they sourced a small amount from a hillside outside of their estate, it is the ripple effect of Skipstone emanating out of their vineyards. This wine illustrates the parcels on the estate that have more mountain fruit quality, which has slightly firmer tannins and high-toned fruit; hence, why they sourced outside fruit that would help highlight those qualities. Cocoa nibs and sandalwood incense on the nose with black cherry skins and broader tannins give more structure and shape with a vibrant and well-focused finish.
2021 Skipstone, Faultline Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California: A mixture of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This blend is inspired by the Right Bank, encompassing Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The proportions vary annually and these parcels are found along a fault line. The Mayacamas fault line, prevalent throughout their property, is among the most active in the area, benefiting them by releasing pressure and minimizing the likelihood of future catastrophes. The U.S. Geologic Survey maintains three permanent installations at Skipstone, classifying it as an official earthquake monitoring station. The aromas immerse you in a forest walk with scents of tree bark and morels, complemented by elegant red and black fruit flavors. There’s a fine-laced structure leading to a long, expressive conclusion, leaving images of wildflowers in the mind.
2021 Skipstone Oliver’s Blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, compiled from a few parcels on the property. This wine primarily consists of the oldest vines on the terraced hillside and a small portion from a couple blocks on the non-terraced slope. In 2019, the harvest was limited, yielding only 2,000 cases. The opulent texture of this wine is truly awe-inspiring. The superior mouthfeel coupled with the intricate aromas of crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, and untouched fruit render this wine a spectacle of beauty.