Sebelius' wine joke bothers Kansas winemakers
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' sense of humor was a slap in the face to Kansas winemakers this week. Enlarge video
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Topeka — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius uncorked the wrath of Kansas vintners after she criticized Kansas wines.
At a fundraiser Tuesday in Seattle for Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, Sebelius said, "You should be thankful we don't make wine in Kansas. If you ever see Kansas wine, don't drink it."
About 1,000 people were at the event, and Sebelius' comment was published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Kansas winemakers weren't happy.
"What it says to grape growers and winemakers in this state is she doesn't recognize the quality of what's here," said Michelle Meyer, co-owner of Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery in Basehor and president of the Kansas Viticulture and Farm Winery Association.
"I just think she probably misspoke and caused some hurt feelings in the state for people who have really tried to work hard and make a business," Meyer said.
Asked about the comment, Sebelius' spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said that the governor's remark was taken out of context and that she also fumbled a joke.
"She was talking about Kansas producing more wheat than Washington State does, and more planes than they do, but they have us beat on wine. They produce more. She then made a poor attempt at humor but says she won't do that again," Corcoran said.
Comments
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farmgal (anonymous) says…
Politicians are known for sticking their foots in their mouths--it's not the 1st time & won't be the last...
toefungus (anonymous) says…
Our Governor does not care about Kansas. That is why she is in every state but ours. She is looking beyond her office the first day she announced plans to run. I am certain there are a lot of comments about Kansas that have not been overheard by the media. She can kill economic development to increase her street credits on environment, and leave the state well behind before the effects begins to show up in state revenues. I feel sorry for the next Governor that has to rebuild our state.
mapmaker (anonymous) says…
"Kathleen Sebelius hates wine people!" - Kanye West
MacHeath (anonymous) says…
If someone says all Kansas wine is bad, it means they havn't tried it, or
are just plain ignorant.
Holy-Field puts out a good product, and If Kansas laws were not designed
to stymie wineries in this state, they could compete with anyone in the
country.
Actually, they have competed, even in world competitions, and have
fared well. Its a crying shame that the liquor laws in this state are so
screwed up.
Coach_Eric (anonymous) says…
I dunno...maybe people are so sensitive because she's right. I'm not a fan of the sweet wines that are produced locally. Don't be fooled either, any Cabernet or Merlot sold at one of these local wineries is, I believe, made from grapes brought in from California. Because of the extremly short growing season in Kansas (for grapes), the only grapes that can be grown here tend to be really sweet (think table wines, or general reds).
I could be way off though. Regardless, I've never found the local wineries either one, welcoming, or two, good. Doesn't excuse the Governor from trashing them in Seattle though! What is it with our white-haired, female politicians lately??? Between Sebelius and Hack, we're in deep doo-doo...good thinh the WGA is on strike, otherwise we might be mentioned on The Daily Show!
nut_case (anonymous) says…
She needs to make this right - repeal the state alcohol tax!
alm77 (anonymous) says…
mapmaker, that was funny.
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
If the governor moved the majority of her wine drinking from Friday nights to Thursday nights, Kansas wine would probably taste a lot better.
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
http://kansaswine.com/
Rhoen (anonymous) says…
Gov. Sebelius is incorrect:
Kansans are very good at wine-ing.
tir (anonymous) says…
You'd think that a governor of a farming state would try to be familiar with all its agricultural products. Maybe she could turn this faux pas into something positive by making a publicized tour of Kansas wineries. She would be better informed about them, and the publicity would be a good promotion for the wineries.
Meatwad (anonymous) says…
Yes, good one, Mapmaker!
I've tried several Kansas wines and was pleasantly surprised.
They aren't likely going to compete with wines from other areas, but I'll certainly buy a bottle on occasion. I'm pro Sebelius, but I'd be upset if I were a Kansas wine-maker too.
oldvet (anonymous) says…
Disagree with part of your conclusion, Coach... I've found the winemakers I have visited in KS to be very friendly and ready to tell you about their products, how they are made, etc. I always purchase a bottle or two to support them and I appreciate the time they spend. Given that, their products are not great, won't age at all, tend to be sweeter wines and are overpriced for the quality of the wine. They can't compete with Australia or Chile for price/quality. There are too many decent $8-$12 wines out there for the Kansans to sell an inferior product for more money. If anyone has a Kansas wine favorite that is not a sweet wine, say what it is and I will give it a try, if I haven't already.
Crossfire (anonymous) says…
We still got the Best Beers.
Coach_Eric (anonymous) says…
I hear ya old vet. The few experiences I've had at local wineries (save for one or two) have been fairly elitist. Maybe it was that I was young, or "just passing through," but I really didn't think they cared too much about my patronage. My whole take was "dude, you're a winery off I-70 in the middle of nowhere...at least pretend you're glad to see me."
I've also been fortunate to take several tours in California (with a friend who worked at at winery out there) that definitely spoiled me! Looking forward to taking the Mrs. out there for a romantic tour...
badger (anonymous) says…
The governor's comedic timing and sense of funny are off, but her wine sense is right on the money.
I've had Kansas wine. It's universally bad. I've had Holy-Field wine, in fact, and a couple others. Kansas wine is generally bland, too sweet, and heavy, and no matter how long you cellar it, it never gets any better.
I'm a wine drinker but hardly a wine snob. Currently, in addition to the usual West Coast, Aussie, and European wines, the wine fridge contains about half a case of New Hampshire wine from a trip to New England last year, about a case of Texas wine from different wineries, a couple of bottles of Missouri wine, and a couple bottles from New York. Usually, if you look hard enough, you can find good wine in any state with a wine industry, at a winery where someone takes into account the varietals that will do well with the weather and soil. Texas, for example, does very well with unoaked Chardonnay, syrah, and red zin, but the merlots are vile. Kansas wine, comparatively, is at about the quality level of Franzia Chillable Red across the board. And that elderberry stuff? Why do they even call it 'wine'? It's horrible!
Still, dissing your home state's produce is fine for a common citizen, but the governor should know better. As penance, she has to go on a winery tour and find something nice to say about every Kansas wine she's given, no matter how much it tastes like grape juice spiked with cheap bourbon.
PattieJ (Pattie Johnston) says…
Oldvet, you asked for suggestions for wines that are not sweet. Whether the wine that you like is sweet or dry is a matter of personal taste. The majority of the wine sold in Kansas is sweet so obviously there is a preference that will be reflected by the wines offered. Awards won by local wineries have been for their dry wines as well as the sweeter varieties. At both Davenport and Holy-Field, try the Norton/Cynthiana or the Chambourcin. The Norton/Cynthiana is actually best when aged for 5 years. Both wineries have been in business long enough to have the aged wines and can be attested to their quality. The Norton is available in both oaked and non-oaked variety. Give them a try.
Soup2Nuts (anonymous) says…
I've seen the governor dining at Pachamas on occasion and I'm sure they don't serve Kansas wines there. The ones I've tried are too sweet. Regardless, she shouldn't have made the comment.
KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says…
It's all Bushies fault.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
The nasty Kansas wine is what leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth.
63BC (anonymous) says…
The point here is that when she's with her liberal friends on the coasts, when she thinks no one from back home can hear her, she can't wait to make fun of Kansas. She cares a lot more about what they think than what we think. That's the point.
MyName (anonymous) says…
The "point" here is that if you already don't like the governor, 63BC, then you're probably going to find fault with her no matter what she says or does.
I think she just put her foot in her mouth is all. However, that does say something about the way that Kansas wine is produced, sold and marketed if the governor of the state hasn't had any of it and may not know it exists.
At least we've got wheat, corn, soybeans and airplanes.
seattlehawk_78 (anonymous) says…
Kanservativeman, would an elitist be a person who during draft age avoided military service and then became a hawk when they were safely out of harms way? Bush and Cheney are the two biggest elitists this country has every seen. Bush's military service in the national guard during the Vietnam War was the equivalent of joining the Boy Scouts and Cheney set a record for deferments. And rest assured neither of their offspring will ever see military duty either. Next time you want to whine about elitists, start from the top and work your way down.
ChestnutCharlie (anonymous) says…
This was the most crass, insensitive, and stupid joke any government official could have played upon the hard working, risk taking, agricultural entrepreneurs of this state. Kansans pay her salary--how dare she mock our honest enterprises! I don't care what quality or vintage. If a lesser official had disparaged Kansas in the same way and it hit the press, heads would roll, you bet. This governor is either too mean spirited or else too out of touch. I voted for her but this is enough to turn me Republican.
blackwalnut (anonymous) says…
This comment was an unfortunately slip by Sibelius - one that would be easy to make if you weren't on your toes every second with the phony praise you have to give whether you really believe it or not, if you are Governor.
Kansas is like an ugly baby. Even if it has some endearing qualities, and you love the baby, and would care for it and defend it, and you hope it will grow up to be something other than an ugly baby, unless you're the parents (or the people born and raised here and never left to see experience different), you know that it's still an ugly baby - but you really can't say that.