Monte Alegre Vineyard & Cellars

I visited the Monte Alegre Vineyard last weekend and was blown away by the wines. I actually had the opportunity to stay at the owners’ home because I was in Carbondale on business with one of their relatives. They gave me a tasting (which utterly changed my opinion about Illinois wines) out of the goodness of their hearts, and I felt no obligation to buy as I might have had I been wine touring and not their guest. Yet I couldn’t let the tasting be my last dance with the Chambourcin, Chardonel, or port (named «Liquid Poetry»). And had I more room in my suitcase and more money to my name, I would have taken home the Vidal Blanc and Fond de Cave as well. I’ll be saving these bottles for a special occasion and stopping at the vineyard the next time I’m in the region.