Cranberries are probably best well known as the traditional side item for the turkey in the North American Thanksgiving. However, in the past and even today the cranberry has a multitude of uses. These mouth-watering cranberries are also the perfect main ingredient to wine. The mixture of fruity sweetness and perfect tartness makes cranberries a perfect ingredient for wines. Located on 56 Pinewood Road Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the heart of cranberry country, the Plymouth Colony Winery is a must stop for wine lovers. Built in the 1890s, the winery building is surrounded by nine acres of cranberry bogs and is New England’s original cranberry winery.

A beautiful sight

Just a few miles from the Plymouth waterfront, when you drive with your Plymouth car hire, you will need to pass through a scenic cranberry bog to get to the storefront. The acres of ruby red cranberries is definitely a beautiful site. It is here were the cranberries are grown, sent out for processing, and then used to make wine from.

The history of the cranberry

The cranberry, along with the blueberry, and the Concord grape is one of North America’s three native fruits. The versatility of the cranberry was first discovered by the Native Americans who used it in a variety of ways including as a source of food, fabric dye, and healing agent. Cranberry vines will survive indefinitely if undamaged. In fact, some cranberry vines in Cape Cod are over 150 years old. Plymouth car hire travelers will find that the wines made by Plymouth Colony Winery to be one of the best cranberry wines you have ever tasted, with good strong flavours from each wine.

Where cranberries are grown

Contrary to popular belief cranberries are not grown in water but in prepared bogs which are composed of a soil mixture. This special mixture provides a moisture content that provides a perfect environment for cranberries to grow. Bogs in New Jersey are believed to some of the best in the world, as they are constantly turning out cranberries that are juicy and with the right amount of tartness for use in commercial products. Bogs are advantageous to the traditional soil in that there is no need to till the area before planting. Sand is added every few years to maintain the upright position of the plants and harvesting is much easier as well.

Finding the perfect wine

This major cranberry producing region is reflected in its wide variety of different cranberry and cranberry blended wines created by winemaker Charles Caranci. Some popular picks include Cranberry Grande, a red wine that has just the right amount of sweet and tartness of fruit, and Bog Blush, a cranberry and white wine blend, which is sweet with a hint of spice. You must definitely pick up a bottle when you travel with your Plymouth car hire. If you’re not sure what to choose, be sure to ask for help from one of the friendly staff. Plymouth Colony Winery also offers free wine tasting on site in the winery shop so you can be sure of what you are getting.

Before you go...

The Plymouth Colony Winery is open February 1 to April 30, Saturday 10 am – 4 pm and Sunday noon – 4 pm. From May 1 to December 31 it is open 7 days a week from Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon – 5 pm. Tours are free.

For more information on Plymouth Colony Winery when you visit with your Plymouth car hire visit their official website at www.plymouthcolonywines.com or call (508) 747 3334.