The Irish have long played a part in American history and development. Many of the original frontiersmen of the 18th and 19th century have Irish roots, including Davie Crockett. There are two major waves of Irish immigration to the New World. The first was the 17th century. It is pure speculation that this is when the first Tyners came to the USA. While we can't trace our roots beyond the American Revolution, we definitely can trace our fun loving humor, music, food, and spunk back to the Irish (and perhaps, too, my great grandfather's red hair). The second wave of Irish immigration took place a couple of hundred years later as a result of the great potato famine (funny enough, potatoes are actually a new world vegetable being brought to Ireland via Sir Francis Raleigh). The first wave of immigrants were trail blazers, discovering and settling the American West, the second made those trails into rails working for the railroads and in the mines. Not only did they build America with their hard work, but their food, music, and customs have been woven into the fabric we label as American. This month Small Lots Big Wines tips our hat to the Irish influence in our food and wine industry. While Ireland is best suited for producing whiskey and stout, American wineries such as O'Brien, Waits-Mast, Sullivan, Harrington, Roche and many more have shown what the Irish spirit can do with grapes in the right soil and climate. These producers of fine wine are fiercely proud of their wine just as they are of their Irish heritage. Whether you are Irish or not, as a wine lover we are sure you'll enjoy these Irish inspired foods and wines. Wineries: Keating Carica Food Pairings: Irish Lamb Stew Cheese of the Month Roast Cod on Lemon and Parsley Mash
Check out this month's Wee Bit O History
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