WHAT'S NEW AT THE PIRTLE WINERY: NOVEMBER 2007

"We're into right now" said Pirtle. "A lot of wine gets old because it isn't sold. A lot of the age thing is a myth propagated by some wine magazine."

This is a long forgotten quote of me in the Omaha World-Herald, Thursday, February 16, 1984 in the Weekend section. We were only slightly more than 6 years into the winery business. At this stage our objective was to produce fresh, fruity, quick to drink, wines that were accepted by our customers. In these early days local grapes were scarce and mostly controlled by the big wineries in the Eastern part of the state. Then, and to this day, Missouri state law requires domestic wineries to get 85% of their grapes from Missouri growers...

Local grapes became more plentiful in the early 90's. We added Port and a couple of dry red wines, all of which require some time in oak to achieve maximum flavor and aroma. Today barrel racks of red wine in new French oak in our new building show that we actually believe in "the age thing".

On the what's happening "right now" front, Blueberry Wine is back on the shelf and doing well. The Mead low level light came on again last week. We should be refilled soon, before Thanksgiving.

Our online store has been updated to reflect the wines we actually have...all the "coming soon" labels have been eliminated. It's time to order for Thanksgiving and almost (7 weeks) Christmas!

www.pirtlewinery.com/store

Our Pirtle Winery logo on our web site, labels and carved in "Indiana marble guaranteed to last a thousand years" in the peak of our new building was designed by the late Mary Louise Wilson- Hickman. She was an illustrator for Macy's, Hartzfelds, Jones Store and many other department stores in Kansas City, New York, Chicago and other cities. She retired to Weston in the 1990's and sold children's clothes and did children's portraitures. She designed some of our labels in the 1990's.

We have collected her art and illustrations and they may be viewed on the following web site: http://stores.ebay.com/artinretrospect?refid=store

Recipe of the Month: Iron Gate Roquefort Cheese Dressing

I only give you recipes that I believe you will thoroughly enjoy…I am always looking for new recipes for you. We have Miriam Hawkins as manager of the winery—she told me this story: "There was a restaurant in North Alabama in the 60's...their Roquefort dressing was very popular and people would drive for many miles to buy it in a pint or quart. They would never give anyone the recipe. They fired a cook who had been there for years and to get even, she gave the recipe to any and everyone."

1 pkg. Roquefort Cheese
2 oz. bleu cheese
1/2 pint sour cream 2 cups mayonnaise
1 TBLS. vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
1 small grated onion
1 glove garlic, grated
1/4 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper

Mix, store in refrigerator—keeps well for 2 weeks.
This makes one quart. Give someone a gift of a pint and keep one for yourself!