Organic Wines Growing in Popularity

Also on this page
• Calories Continue to Vanish in Low-Cal Beers
• Vodka Remains Best Selling Spirit
• Tops with Tomko

Organically grown fruits, vegetables and grains have become very popular in recent years. Now, organic farming practices, which strictly limit the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, are working their way into the wine industry. A number of organic wines are currently available on liquor store shelves, and many more are on the horizon.

Organic farming is a simple concept involving the use of all-natural methods to yield a crop. Organic wines are produced from grapes grown in certified organic vineyards. Like organic farming, biodynamic farming is a relatively new term becoming popular in the wine industry. Biodynamic farmers tend to take a “spiritual” approach to agriculture, treating the farm as if it were a living, individual organism. Biodynamic farms must follow a number of rules and procedures to obtain certification. It is also important to note that wines can be labeled organic, biodynamic or both.

It can take many years for a vineyard to be certified organic or biodynamic. Both producers and growers are very dedicated and passionate about their craft, and that passion is evident in every bottle of wine.

A common misconception is that both organic and biodynamic wines are sulfite free. This is not true, as sulfites are a naturally occurring byproduct of the fermentation process. However, organic and biodynamic wines do not have any added sulfites, and are required to have a total sulfite level of less than 20 parts per million.

Edina Liquor has between 15 and 20 types of organic and biodynamic wines in stock. Ask us to help find one that’s just right for you

Greg Keehr is Assistant Liquor Operations Director and Manager of Edina Liquor -- Grandview.

Calories Continue to Vanish in Low-Cal Beers

Do you ever feel like you have to run a mile or work out for 20 extra minutes just because you want to enjoy a beer? Most non-light beers on the market today contain between 140 and 200 calories per can or bottle!

Recently, beer companies have been trying to give calorie counters a more guilt-free way to enjoy a brewski. A number of products have entered the market in the last year or two that have extremely reduced calories per serving.

Some of the more popular low-calorie beers available today include:

Amstel Light (95 calories): One of our more popular imported light beers, Amstel Light has a medium- to light-bodied flavor. It has the most character of the low-cal beers and a more imported flavor.

Beck’s Premier Light (64 calories): At 2.3 percent, this beer has the lowest alcohol content of the low-cal beers. While it does have a great overall flavor, this import has not been as popular as Amstel in our stores.

Michelob Ultra (95 calories): Michelob Light was introduced in 1978, but Michelob Ultra Light came to fame during the low-carbohydrate craze that swept the nation a decade ago. Produced by Anheuser-Busch, it is similar in taste to other Budweiser products.

Budweiser Select 55 (55 calories): This is currently the lowest calorie beer on the market. Its smooth, crisp flavor is distinctly Budweiser. However, it is important to note that this beer (along with most other low-calorie beers) has an extremely low alcohol content of less than 3 percent.

Miller Genuine Draft 64 or MGD 64 (64 calories): This beer from MillerCoors was the first low-cal beer to advertise its calorie count. It really jump-started the low-calorie beer craze a few years ago. It was MGD 64 that caused Anheuser-Busch to cut even more calories in Select 55. Boasting very light tones and flavor, it will definitely leave those who like full-bodied beers unsatisfied.

With the popularity of low-cal beers growing, more styles are likely to be available at Edina Liquor in the near future!

Vodka Remains Best Selling Spirit

Vodka has been America’s (and Edina Liquor’s) best-selling hard liquor for the past 10 years. A neutral spirit with essentially no color, taste or smell, it tends to be very mixable, and thus, very popular. Even though it is our No. 1 seller, more customers ask us questions about vodka than any other liquor.

Vodka comes in many styles and over 20 different flavors. Because it can be made from a variety of ingredients including corn, grain (wheat or rye), potatoes, rice, grapes or even sugar beet molasses, it is one of the least expensive hard liquors to produce. It does not need to be aged like whiskey or tequila, making it even faster and more affordable to produce and distribute.

We are often asked what the difference is between all of the vodka on the shelf. Edina Liquor carries Chopin, Luksusowa and Ultimat, which are potato vodkas. Skyy and Taaka are some of our better-selling grain vodkas. Corn-based vodkas include Tito’s, UV and Prairie Vodka. Interestingly, Prairie Vodka is made from corn grown in southern Minnesota and is certified organic and Kosher, meaning it leaves a minimal carbon footprint. As I mentioned, you can even find vodka – Ciroc – that has been distilled with grapes!

Wheat and rye vodkas are the most common on the market. Wheat vodkas include Grey Goose, Kettle One, Absolut and Effen. Belvedere and Sobieski are rye vodkas. Stoli and Shakers vodkas are made with both.

Vodka can also come “flavored” or “infused.” Flavored vodkas use additives, and are more common because they are less expensive to produce. Infused vodkas have had real fruit added and then been allowed to sit for up to a week to allow the fruit to impart its flavor in the liquor. 750 mL of infused vodka will cost $5 to $10 more than flavored vodka.

No matter the vodka and no matter the question, we will help you find the answer at Edina Liquor. As always, thank you for your business!

Steve Grausam is Liquor Operations Director. He can be reached by sending an email to edinamail@ci.edina.mn.us.

Tops with Tomko

Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2009: Year in and year out, this wine is one of the best values around. The aroma is of fresh mown grass and peaches. The acidity is bright and lively – framed with mineral and accented by peach and melon flavors. It is fresh and ready to enjoy. $11.99

Pavao Vinho Verde 2009: Vinho Verde is the “green wine” produced in Northern Portugal. A hint of gas is added at bottling for a touch of effervescence. The primary flavors are pear and peach. A refreshing, palate-stimulating wine for any time of year! $7.99

La Crema Chardonnay 2008: This wine has an exotic and fragrant tropical fruit fragrance with hints of butterscotch and spice. It is rich and toasty on the palate with white peach, pineapple and honeysuckle flavors accented by a drizzle of caramel. Pair with grilled chicken, seafood or creamy pasta dishes. $23.99

Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir 2008: The aroma of this wine opens up with typical rose, cherry and pomegranate. The medium-bodied palate is brimming with cherry and boysenberry flavors accented with toasty oak notes from the small French barrels used in the ageing of the wine. Pair with grilled salmon or halibut, antipasto salad or summer tomato salad. $22.99

Dave Tomko is Assistant Manager of Edina Liquor – Southdale.