The Hoosier state had grapes and wine in the 18th century, and was the 10th largest producer by the mid 19th century. The Indiana Small Winery Act of 1971 sparked major growth, so now the state has many small wineries and two of the largest in the United States. The state’s location and corresponding climate … Read more
Shutdown: No End in Sight “Government shutdown” was once a dreaded thought in Washington, but today it’s no big deal—and in fact an actual event is now ending a third week, with very little discussion.. What has changed? Politics. It turns out that shutting the government down is a convenient way to reduce the size … Read more
Illinois Wine Country Illinois has a wine-growing history dating back to 1691, and in 1900 was the fourth largest wine producer in the country until Prohibition wiped out the industry, as it did elsewhere. The modern industry was stimulated by a 1976 law allowing onsite sales at wineries, with both Lynfred and Galena wineries opening … Read more
Idaho Wine Country With a rich history, ideal wine growing conditions, and a recent surge in wineries, Idaho has been emerging from the shadows of its larger neighbors, Oregon and Washington, to claim a place of its own on the world’s wine map. Actually, grapes were planted there (1864, in Lewiston) before either of the … Read more
Shutdown Showdown: Tuesday Night Our government runs out of money at midnight Tuesday, meaning it shuts down. And what is Congress doing about it? Staying home until Monday, October 6. What we learned in civics class was pure fantasy—the noble concept “of the people, by the people, for the people”–unless by “people” you just mean … Read more