Akron Life April 2023

GOOD EATS

UNCORK ED

by Eric Van Sant

Easley Winery Indianapolis

Jack and Joan Easley began making wine in their basement in the late !"#$ s when they hit a roadblock. It was still ille gal for them to make and sell wine because of the state’s Prohibition laws. The couple bought a small vineyard in southern Michigan, but they wanted to have their business in Indiana. In 1971, the laws changed in Indiana, and they purchased an old ice cream factory in downtown Indianapolis in the Cole-Noble District. They had their first crush of grapes in the facility in 1974, establishing Easley Winery. The grapes they use are trami nettes, which are hybrid grapes developed at the University of Illinois that tend to be more floral. They are primarily from Easley’s Cape Sandy Vineyard in Indiana, which provides an ideal growing region with cool breezes and limestone soil. Here are some standouts from Easley Winery’s Reggae line.

REGGAE RED Jammy on the nose, with hints of concord and strawberry pre serves, this red ($7.99) is full bodied with a round mouthfeel. It’s smooth and sweet, so enjoy it with pork, spicy Asian cuisine or barbecue.

REGGAE BLUSH With citrusy and tropical fruit notes on the nose, this blush ($7.99) is sweet and crisp. It’s bright and easy, with hints of strawberry and grapefruit on the palate, which go perfectly with seafood and creamy cheeses.

REGGAE BLUEBERRY SPLASHSCATO This wine ($7.99) is like blue berry pie in a bottle. Sweet on the palate, with a blend of blueberries and moscato, enjoy it on the patio with lemon cake or aged cheese for a bal ance of sweet and savory.

Find Reggae 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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APRIL 2023 | akronlife.com