The vintage: Now, we know why Michigan wineries have built their reputations on white wines, especially Riesling. It's the weather, and the first days of October are shaping up like a typical Michigan fall: cloudy, cool and rainy.

Now, we know why Michigan wineries have built their reputations on white wines

So far, customers haven't been happy. They've been complaining."

A new state liquor tax hike has provided a convenient launching pad for a big round of wholesale price hikes on wine and spirits that is likely to soon make drinking a far more expensive pastime in Illinois.

The waning weeks of summer were a blessing to area grape growers, but the crop isn't off the vine yet.

"We'll be later to harvest. Then we run into the frost risk. Then heavy rains and wind. And if you get hail, it's done."

Package liquor store owners said they are in a fight for their own survival Tuesday after a Montgomery County Republican told a state committee he will try to change liquor laws to allow carryout alcohol sales on Sundays in Indiana

WineMcGee.com today released the beta version of its website, designed to help users find BYOB restaurants, wine tastings, wineries, and wine retailers in Chicago and the suburbs. The website provides a localized experience based on zip code, so each user can focus on what's happening in their neighborhood or near their office.

This summer has been a mixed blessing for the area's wineries; not warm enough for growing grapes, but just right for attracting people who like them.

An old time wine maker opens up a new winery in Southwestern Michigan. It's called Founders Wine Cellar and it's founded by Leonard Olson. Olson hopes to help the region expand its wine reputation to attract more tourist and business

Customers at Lonnie's Liquor have been buying more beer and liquor than usual lately, and that is likely because of a tax hike rather than a party.

The Illinois Licensed Beverage Association estimates drinkers could see increases from 25 cents to 50 cents per drink as a result of the tax increase

Illinois taxes on everyday items like shampoo, candy, and alcohol are going up Tuesday, September 1. Now is a good time to stock up on Pantene, peanut butter cups and pinot grigio.

Blue Sky Vineyard has one of the most impressive tasting rooms on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.

The region's harsh winters hardly bring to mind a sublime cabernet or a bright pinot grigio. Yet winemakers there say their vintages deserve respect, so 60 commercial wineries from 16 states sent in more than 300 entries for the first International Cold Climate Wine Competition.

A Red Wing winery has won bragging rights at the first International Cold Climate Wine Competition, held in Minnesota.

Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, who also runs a major liquor distribution business, today filed a legal challenge to the state's new video poker law as well as liquor, candy and other tax hikes slated to go into effect Sept. 1.

Millions of unexpected dollars have been earned for the state of Ohio so far in 2009. The Ohio Department of Commerce reported Wednesday, that the divisions profit margin was up 30.1 percent over 2008.

The Indiana Wine Grape Council says seven new wineries opened this year across Indiana and seven more are expected to start up in the coming year. The new wineries give Indiana 43 commercial wineries and more than 400 acres of grapes.

Not all that many years ago you could count the number of wineries in the Grand Traverse region on two hands with almost a whole hand to spare. Not too many years before that there were just two or three.