Idiot's Grace Wine

Idiot's Grace Wine

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. Wine labels and varieties are nothing if not creative.

One that caught my eye is down the Columbia River gorge outside of Mosier, Oregon. Trevor Hertrich is the "Director of Direction" at "Idiot's Grace" winery ... so I had to ask, what's with the name ...

HERTRICH ... "So, we've stolen it from rock n' roll, basically. The phrasing in an Indi-rock song from a band that is long-since faded and was obscure to start with and now is, basically has, yeah, is unfindable."

Obviously, Hertrich hopes Idiot's Grace isn't a one-hit-wonder ...

HERTRICH ... "Uh, God I hope not! We're just hoping that they don't mind that we've stolen the name and the fact that they're no longer relevant, you know, has kept the lawyers at bay a little bit, maybe."

He says they've been making wine since 2006 ... but, Idiot's

Grace is NOT available in the big grocery chains ...

HERTRICH ... "No, because we only make about 2,000 cases a year so it's really not enough to supply the larger chain stores so we find the best success in like smaller bottle shops and independent restaurants."

But, he says Idiot's Grace is not really that hard to find ...

HERTRICH ... "So, if you go online, we do sell our wine online. We ship it to, probably, a good 20 states currently. But, the best way to do it is if you come visit us and buy the wine at the site. That's what we encourage so you get to see the place, get to see where it's made, walk the vineyards, but failing that, online would be the next best option."

Idiot's Grace winery can be found about half way between the Dalles and Hood River just outside of Mosier.

MUSIC = 13 ... fades ...

####

BL: Welcome back to another "Fruit Bites" brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us as always is Valent's very own Allison Walston. And this week Allison, what fruit is in-season in September?

AW: Harvested this month are winter pears, wine grapes, and apples...And at long last, the Cosmic Crisp.

BL: So, sounds like it's time for apple tasting party?

AW: And did you know that pears and apples pair great with cheese and/or wine. For the wine, avoid styles high in tannins like Bordeaux, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon as they make the cheese taste bitter.

BL: What a great idea for a party ... and delicious.

AW: Culinarily, cheese provides salt & fat while the apple provides acid, 3 of the main components to the science of cooking. Some tips for pairing: sugar loves mold, like blue cheese with sweet apples or apple pie. Gouda goes well with Honeycrisp. And try to avoid acidic fruit that will curdle the cheese.

BL: (Sounds "Gouda" to me!) ??

BL: Well, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I'm Bob Larson.

https://www.pennlive.com/life/2012/10/apple_and_cheese_101_divine_pa.html

https://www.bonappetit.com/trends/article/the-science-behind-our-seemingly-weird-food-combinations

http://thephcheese.com/the-truth-about-pairing-cheese-and-fruit

Previous ReportPear Marketing Funding Pt 3
Next ReportMarketing Produce to Millennials Pt 1