The history of wine-making stretches thousands of years, and today’s fascination with the fruit of the vine shows up in the many wineries dotting the country. Wine tastings are popular entertainment, for groups of friends and business gatherings.
But why would someone unfamiliar with wine wish to taste and learn about it? Isn’t it just for connoisseurs and snobs? The answer to the last is a flat “no.” Anyone with a desire to try something new can enjoy a wine tasting, whether their taste runs sweet or dry.
Learning about the wine scene and experiencing new sights, tastes, smells and processes in lovely surroundings, while mixing with old and new friends, are some rewards of wine tasting.
Kosciusko County vintners understand the art well. Tippy Creek Winery’s Dan and Lori Richcreek and Port Winona Wine and Market’s Tiffany Yates welcome tasting newbies to take their first steps toward isolating flavors, scents, grape types and other layers in the complex nectar crossing their tongues.
Dan and Lori launched Tippy Creek Winery on family land near Leesburg in 2016, after receiving a wine making kit as a Christmas gift from their children. Since Indiana has challenging soil for grape growing, they use juice from Michigan and West Coast vineyards for the fermentation process.
“Taste” is relative, Lori said. Someone may enter a winery knowing little about wine, but will develop a taste for meeting new people right away. “It’s about the experience,” she said. “You will learn taste and smell, but the people make the experience. We’ve met so many wonderful couples, now friends, at wine tastings.” Knowledgeable staffers describe wine types well and add so much to the experience, she said.
Owner Tiffany Yates opened Port Winona Wine & Market in 2019. “In addition to bottles, we have a rotating by-the-glass list so you can sit and sip,” Tiffany said. “If you’re looking to branch out, our wine flights offer you the option to choose and taste multiple wines from our list. With our selection of domestic and craft beer as well as our wine cocktails, there’s something for everyone.” Visitors can dine in or carry out meats, cheeses and small grocery items from the marketplace, and it’s family-friendly, with games for kids.
Wine tasting experts say four steps—looking, smelling, tasting and thinking—are all it takes for anyone to taste wine. So pick up a glass and let your senses do the work.
Looking for color, clarity and body gives clues to the type of grape and the amount of sugar and alcohol the wine contains. Taking a deep breath to the back of the throat helps the nose identify aromas. Pulling air through the nose to the back of the throat also helps the tongue detect salty, sour, sweet or bitter.
Conclusions may help form a profile of a wine to commit to memory. If you liked it, and it stood out for you, you surely will! Tippy Creek is located at 5920 N 200 E, Leesburg. Call 574-253-1862 to arrange a tasting. Port Winona Market is at 807 E Canal St., Winona Lake. Call 574-316-0285 for information.