Akron Life May 2023

GOOD EATS

UNCORK ED

by Eric Van Sant

Duplin Winery Rose Hill | North Carolina

Established in 1975, Duplin Winery is the

oldest operating winery in North Carolina, producing 450,000 cases of wine a year, primarily from muscadine grapes. While not widely known, muscadine grapes are indigenous in the southeastern United States, growing as far south as Florida, north as New Jersey and west as Oklahoma. Black or dark purple, muscadine grapes can be the size of golf balls, with very thick outer skin. Duplin also commonly uses scuppernong grapes, which are a variety of muscadine that are green-gold in hue and the state grape of North Carolina. Here are some Duplin wines to try. DUPLIN SCUPPERNONG BLUSH Sweet as the summer breeze, this blush ($7.99) is a blend of muscadine and scuppernong grapes. It’s sweet on the palate with a hint of light acidity on the finish, and it’s perfect with spicy barbecue, Asian dishes or simply with potato chips.

DUPLIN SWEET Just as sweet and enjoyable, this wine ($7.99) is crisp and clean, made from a proprietary blend of muscadine grapes. Enjoy it with cured meats, spicy cheeses or a jalapeno burger.

DUPLIN COTTON CANDY This wine ($10.99) is summertime in a bottle. A sweet option that welcomes the sun and fun of the season, it has mid- to full sweetness, with notes of strawberries and

hints of vanilla. It’s best chilled with summer fruit or bright summer cheeses. Find Duplin Winery wines at select Giant Eagle, Acme Fresh Market, Heinen’s and Discount Drug Mart locations.

[ Eric Van Sant is a sales manager at Heidelberg Distributing Co. ] Comments? Email them to Kelly Petryszyn [kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com].

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MAY 2023 | akronlife.com