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"A
Taste of Elegance - The Alabama Wine Trail" was unveiled in
Montgomery on April 8 at ceremonies lead by Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow,
chairman of the House Tourism and Travel Committee, during the opening
of the 2008 Tourism Bash.
This
event is staged by travel destinations from across the state to keep
elected officials informed about the vitality and growth of the Alabama
tourism and travel industry.
The
Alabama Wine Trail features eight family-owned wineries who offer
visitors the opportunity to tour and taste the wines exclusive to the
state. The trail begins in North Alabama’s Appalachian Mountain
foothills and travels through to South Alabama’s Gulf Coast region.
The
trail is made possible through a cooperative partnership between the
Alabama Mountain Lakes Association (AMLA), Alabama Travel Council and
Alabama Wineries Association, LLC.
"This
is the state’s newest trail and it is designed to give both
out-of-state tourist and local residents the opportunity to experience
Alabama wineries," said Dana Lee Jennings, President/CEO of AMLA,
who led the drive to organize the Trail.
"The
Alabama Wine Trail not only opens a new market for our state’s travel
industry but also provides the opportunity to spotlight Alabama’s
unique agriculture scene," she said.
The
wineries featured on the trail include: Jules J. Berta Vineyards in
Albertville, Wills Creek Vineyards in Attalla, Morgan Creek Vineyards in
Harpersville, Perdido Vineyards in Perdido, Bryant Vineyards in
Talledega, White Oak Vineyards in Anniston, Ozan Vineyards in Calera and
Vizzini Farms Winery in Calera.
All
Trail wineries encourage visitors to stop by their vineyards to taste
their wines and a link to each of their websites can be found on the
Alabama Mountain Lakes Association website, www.NorthAlabama.org.
"A
trip to an Alabama winery is a great way to experience agritourism at
its best in our diverse state," said Rep. Morrow.
In
addition to wine, some vineyards offer a selection of products including
vinegar, tea, jelly and others in their retail stores.
Along
with the enjoyable experience of visiting an Alabama winery on the
trail, visitors may also get the added benefits of disease fighting and
good health from a sweet Alabama wine. Most wines sold in stores do not
have the high level of antioxidants offered in Alabama wines and even
the state’s fruits and vegetables are superior due to Alabama’s
enriched soil. According to recent research, muscadine grapes grown in
Alabama have an impressive five times more antioxidants than other
grapes.
Wine
has evolved from a social drink to a drink you can toast to your health.
Moderate wine consumption has been shown to have positive health
benefits due to its high level of antioxidants, especially for us here
in Alabama. Grape wines, specifically muscadine wines, attribute their
high antioxidant level to their content of resveratrol, flavonoids and
ellagic acid. Resveratrol, found in grape skins and seeds, increases
good cholesterol (HDL) and helps prevent blood clots. Flavonoids also
help to prevent clots and plaque from forming in the arteries, lowering
one’s risk of heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) in the
body. Moderate consumption constitutes of one drink a day for women and
two drinks a day for men.
A
new Alabama Wine Trail brochure is available at all Alabama Welcome
Centers, at Wine Trail member sites, the Alabama Mountain Lakes
Association (www.northalabama.org),
the Alabama Travel Council (www.AlabamaTravel.org),
Alabama Wineries Association (256-538-5452) and Alabama Bureau of
Tourism and Travel (www.800Alabama.com). |
