Alaska wine facts for kids
Wine region | |
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Official name | State of Alaska |
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Type | U.S. state |
Year established | 1959 |
Country | United States |
Total area | 663,267 square miles (1,717,854 km2) |
No. of wineries | 4 |
Wine produced | Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Riesling |
Alaska might be famous for its snow and mountains, but did you know it also makes wine? Alaskan wine is special because it's often made differently from wines in warmer places. Instead of just grapes, wineries here use local fruits and even honey!
What is Alaska Wine?
Alaska wine refers to any wine made in the state of Alaska. Because Alaska is very cold, most wineries import grape juice from other states. They then turn this juice into popular wines like Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Riesling.
Unique Alaskan Wines
What makes Alaskan wine truly special are the wines made from local ingredients. Some wineries create delicious wines using fruits other than grapes. These unique wines are often made from honey or native Alaskan fruits.
You might find wines made from:
Some wineries also produce a special kind of wine called ice wine. This wine is made from grapes that have frozen while still on the vine. This process makes the wine very sweet and concentrated.
How Many Wineries in Alaska?
Even though it's a cold state, Alaska has a small but growing wine industry. There are currently four wineries operating in Alaska. These wineries focus on creating unique flavors, often using the special fruits found in the state.