Short Picture Stories from Noble Coast Photography: Red, White, and Wine

After visiting the vineyards of Northern California, France and Italy I never thought North Carolina could possibly have wineries that could produce fine wines. Wrong! I recently was invited to tour the Yadkin Valley wine region and was pleasantly surprised. Not only were the wines tasty, many of the the wineries and tasting rooms were world class! I did taste some North Carolina wines that needed some work but there were many wines that had great body, a wonderful bouquet, and a delicious finish.

I've since learned that North Carolina was the nation's largest wine producing state before prohibition and is currently enjoying a major resurgence. North Carolina now ranks ninth in US wine production and is home to over 100 wineries. The North Carolina wine and grape business is a $ 1.28 billion industry employing over 7,600 people.

North Carolina wineries grow the native muscadine grapes or the European vinifera grapes. The vinifera grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Viogner. Highly tolerant to North Carolina's weather, soil and insects, muscadine grapes produce red and white blends from very dry to sweet. Muscadine grapes contain an unusually high dose of antioxidants, over 40 times more antioxidants than the typical American or European wine grape! So go ahead, drink wine, it's good for you!