By now most VAVINO fans know our signature varietals: Cab Franc, Viognier, Norton, Chambourcin. But there are new wines cropping up in several tasting rooms throughout the Commonwealth that are poised to be the next big things in the state.
Albariño
Offered by several wineries in lieu of Viognier, Albariño is a Spanish white varietal, typically crisp and dry with notes of apricot. The wine produced is unusually light, and generally high in acidity with relatively low alcohol levels, making it a great hot weather wine.
Where to try it: Willowcroft Vineyards, Chrysalis Vineyards, Lake Anna Winery
Roussanne
Roussanne is a white wine grape grown originally in the Rhône wine region in France. It too is similar to Viognier, not only in its crispness and acidity, but also due to its vulnerability to mildew, poor resistance to drought and wind, and irregular yields. But some Virginia wineries are experimenting with it: North Gate Vineyard, Chester Gap Cellars, and Horton Vineyards.
Petit Manseng
Another white varietal that is taking many wineries by storm (even more so than the more difficult to grow Albariño and Roussanne). This is a semi-sweet, high alcohol wine, with origins in southwest France. Typical Petit Mansengs offer notes of pear and grapefruit. Some of our favorite Petit Manseng’s can be found at Paradise Springs Winery, Pearmund Cellars, and Lazy Days Winery.
Three unique whites to try in Virginia tasting rooms, with others on the way, such as Rkatsiteli and Chenin blanc. It will be interesting to see the public’s reaction to these wines, and if any will eventually replace viognier as the signature Virginia white.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
A Report from the Virginia Wine Expo
“A Party in Richmond” was the subject of a recent post. The blogmasters were excited to attend the 6th Annual Virginia Wine Expo in Richmond on Saturday, February 23. In addition to workshops on blog writing and food pairings, the blogmasters did their share of partaking. As did hundreds of others, from all areas of the Commonwealth (particularly Richmond and Hampton Roads).
With 60 winery booths, it would have taken cast iron livers to stop by every wine booth. We were most interested in the wineries we haven’t visited yet (most of these wineries are located in the South Central section of Virginia, near the North Carolina border, between Buggs Island Lake and Martinsville). We did stop by and see some long-time favorites, and were delighted to see so many famous Commonwealth winemakers and vineyard owners (Gabriele Rausse and his son, Michael Shaps, Luca Paschina, David King) working in the tasting booths.
We visited on the Saturday of the Expo. Note for next year: Attend on Sunday. The crowd on Saturday was boisterous and at the peak of the day, it was elbow-to-elbow in some of the aisles. Plus the entire expo hall erupted with cheers every hour for the first part of the day; at first we thought Governor McDonnell, or famous Virginia winery owners Donald Trump or Dave Matthews popped into the expo hall. No, someone let their complimentary Riedel wine glass slip out of their hands. Needless to say, as the afternoon progressed, the cheering frequency increased from every hour, to every ten minutes, to every two minutes. We wouldn’t be surprised if the organizers switched to plastic wine glasses for future expos.
As in previous years, attendees had the option of buying wine at the expo; this is the main motivator for the wineries, after all. Folks could buy the wine at the booth if up to three bottles were purchased; if more than three were purchased, the wine bottles were wheeled to “Will Call”-like booths. At 5:30, thirty minutes before the wine expo closed for the day, every one of the will call lines seemed to be a quarter of a mile long. The organizers of the wine expo confessed in their “thank you” email to attendees that something went haywire with the lines, and promised to improve the process next year. They also plan on adding more adjacent Convention Center rooms to the expo; this event has quadrupled in popularity over the last five years.
Constructive criticism out of the way, a fine time was had by all, including the blogmasters. And we have a few new vineyards on our “must visit” list: Valerie Hill Vineyard, south of Winchester; Kilaurwen Winery (opening this spring), north of Charlottesville; and Cedar Creek Winery, an “open by appointment only” spot near Woodstock that offered a fantastic tasting flight of their two varietals: Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.
Those wineries in the aforementioned South Central region that are worth a mention: Annefield Vineyards, Rosemont Vineyards, and Stanburn Winery. All three spots had incredibly good vintages, and their lines were not as long as the better-known spots in the state.
Sunday apparently is the weekend day for the more serious wine buff; plans are already in place for the Notebookers to attend the 2014 Wine Expo on Sunday. There is a chance of some wineries running out of their product, but the benefits of a less chaotic walk around wine tasting experience outweigh the drawbacks.
With 60 winery booths, it would have taken cast iron livers to stop by every wine booth. We were most interested in the wineries we haven’t visited yet (most of these wineries are located in the South Central section of Virginia, near the North Carolina border, between Buggs Island Lake and Martinsville). We did stop by and see some long-time favorites, and were delighted to see so many famous Commonwealth winemakers and vineyard owners (Gabriele Rausse and his son, Michael Shaps, Luca Paschina, David King) working in the tasting booths.
We visited on the Saturday of the Expo. Note for next year: Attend on Sunday. The crowd on Saturday was boisterous and at the peak of the day, it was elbow-to-elbow in some of the aisles. Plus the entire expo hall erupted with cheers every hour for the first part of the day; at first we thought Governor McDonnell, or famous Virginia winery owners Donald Trump or Dave Matthews popped into the expo hall. No, someone let their complimentary Riedel wine glass slip out of their hands. Needless to say, as the afternoon progressed, the cheering frequency increased from every hour, to every ten minutes, to every two minutes. We wouldn’t be surprised if the organizers switched to plastic wine glasses for future expos.
As in previous years, attendees had the option of buying wine at the expo; this is the main motivator for the wineries, after all. Folks could buy the wine at the booth if up to three bottles were purchased; if more than three were purchased, the wine bottles were wheeled to “Will Call”-like booths. At 5:30, thirty minutes before the wine expo closed for the day, every one of the will call lines seemed to be a quarter of a mile long. The organizers of the wine expo confessed in their “thank you” email to attendees that something went haywire with the lines, and promised to improve the process next year. They also plan on adding more adjacent Convention Center rooms to the expo; this event has quadrupled in popularity over the last five years.
Constructive criticism out of the way, a fine time was had by all, including the blogmasters. And we have a few new vineyards on our “must visit” list: Valerie Hill Vineyard, south of Winchester; Kilaurwen Winery (opening this spring), north of Charlottesville; and Cedar Creek Winery, an “open by appointment only” spot near Woodstock that offered a fantastic tasting flight of their two varietals: Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.
Those wineries in the aforementioned South Central region that are worth a mention: Annefield Vineyards, Rosemont Vineyards, and Stanburn Winery. All three spots had incredibly good vintages, and their lines were not as long as the better-known spots in the state.
Sunday apparently is the weekend day for the more serious wine buff; plans are already in place for the Notebookers to attend the 2014 Wine Expo on Sunday. There is a chance of some wineries running out of their product, but the benefits of a less chaotic walk around wine tasting experience outweigh the drawbacks.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Loudoun County: Washington DC's Wine Country
We like to think of Loudoun County as a microcosm for Virginia vineyards and wineries as a whole. 27 wineries, with at least 8 more coming in the next 12 months. A location in the wealthiest county in the United States helps. As does proximity to the "recession proof" (at least for now...) National Capital area. Many of the vineyard/winery owners in Loudoun are successful businessmen and women, former military commanders, former attorneys, restaurateurs, real estate moguls, ex California winemakers, or scientists, who opened wineries as a "hobby" or retirement project.
You can find a winery for every mood in Loudoun County. In that sense, the county is a mini version of the entire state. The soil, drained by creeks and brooks that flow from and to the Potomac River, is perfect for vineyards, particularly Chambourcin, a hybrid, chianti-like wine touted as "red wine for white wine drinkers." Chambourcin is harder to find in other parts of the Commonwealth, but has developed a fanbase in the DC area, possibly due to the popularity of Loudoun County with those new to the wine scene, and would like to make the gradual leap from the semi-sweet Cupcake Cellars and "Flip Flop" offerings to drier reds.
There are so many wineries in Loudoun that the county is broken up into five winery sections: The Harmony Cluster, the Loudoun Heights Cluster, the Mosby Cluster, the Potomac Cluster, and the South of the Border Cluster (cheating for the latter, as many of the actual winery tasting rooms are in Fauquier County but their vineyards cross over into Loudoun).
The Notebook will be spotlighting many of the spots in "DC's Wine Country" over the next several months. The county benefits from robust tourism, as do neighboring Prince William County (still a bit deficient on the winery side) and the less-hospitable (to wineries) Fauquier County.
Familiarize yourself with the wineries Loudoun has to offer. Many residents of the DC area with even a passing interest in wine have been to at least one winery in the county. On most weekends, even weekends in January, the tasting rooms are buzzing with activity. The more wineries, the better...and more are definitely on the way.
You can find a winery for every mood in Loudoun County. In that sense, the county is a mini version of the entire state. The soil, drained by creeks and brooks that flow from and to the Potomac River, is perfect for vineyards, particularly Chambourcin, a hybrid, chianti-like wine touted as "red wine for white wine drinkers." Chambourcin is harder to find in other parts of the Commonwealth, but has developed a fanbase in the DC area, possibly due to the popularity of Loudoun County with those new to the wine scene, and would like to make the gradual leap from the semi-sweet Cupcake Cellars and "Flip Flop" offerings to drier reds.
There are so many wineries in Loudoun that the county is broken up into five winery sections: The Harmony Cluster, the Loudoun Heights Cluster, the Mosby Cluster, the Potomac Cluster, and the South of the Border Cluster (cheating for the latter, as many of the actual winery tasting rooms are in Fauquier County but their vineyards cross over into Loudoun).
The Notebook will be spotlighting many of the spots in "DC's Wine Country" over the next several months. The county benefits from robust tourism, as do neighboring Prince William County (still a bit deficient on the winery side) and the less-hospitable (to wineries) Fauquier County.
Familiarize yourself with the wineries Loudoun has to offer. Many residents of the DC area with even a passing interest in wine have been to at least one winery in the county. On most weekends, even weekends in January, the tasting rooms are buzzing with activity. The more wineries, the better...and more are definitely on the way.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Vintage: The Winemaker's Year
Vintage: The Winemaker's Year is an educational and highly entertaining documentary about several Charlottesville-area wineries, which takes place over one year of winemaking - from bud break to bottling. The winery owners and winemakers share their thoughts about the rise in popularity of Virginia wine, and several are philosophical about what makes Virginia different from other wine growing regions, particularly California.
The Charlottesville region is spotlighted because that is the birthplace of "VA Vino." The documentary includes sweeping aerial shots of the vineyards usually reserved for Hollywood productions. After watching the 90 minute documentary and listening to the winemakers and vineyard owners analyze their chosen professions and the industry in the state, you feel as if you've spent a few hours at all the wineries featured.
Not every winery in the Monticello AVA is featured, but a good representation, including White Hall Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards, Veritas Vineyards, and Cardinal Point Winery. Featured prominently in the documentary is Gabriele Rausse, whose been involved in the Virginia wine scene since its infancy (1976), and whom many call the "Second Founding Father" of wine in the state (after Thomas Jefferson, of course). Gabriele Rausse does not have a winery open to the public, but you can find his wines in wine shops throughout the state, as well as wine festivals. His wine is definitely a must-try; Old World style and incredibly smooth and tasty.
Anyone with even a passing interest in the booming Virginia wine scene should check this documentary out - for the price of a bottle of Virginia wine, it can be yours. Click here for how to get it.
The Charlottesville region is spotlighted because that is the birthplace of "VA Vino." The documentary includes sweeping aerial shots of the vineyards usually reserved for Hollywood productions. After watching the 90 minute documentary and listening to the winemakers and vineyard owners analyze their chosen professions and the industry in the state, you feel as if you've spent a few hours at all the wineries featured.
Not every winery in the Monticello AVA is featured, but a good representation, including White Hall Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards, Veritas Vineyards, and Cardinal Point Winery. Featured prominently in the documentary is Gabriele Rausse, whose been involved in the Virginia wine scene since its infancy (1976), and whom many call the "Second Founding Father" of wine in the state (after Thomas Jefferson, of course). Gabriele Rausse does not have a winery open to the public, but you can find his wines in wine shops throughout the state, as well as wine festivals. His wine is definitely a must-try; Old World style and incredibly smooth and tasty.
Anyone with even a passing interest in the booming Virginia wine scene should check this documentary out - for the price of a bottle of Virginia wine, it can be yours. Click here for how to get it.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
A Party in Richmond
The blogmasters have (more or less) given up on the festival circuit. Wine festivals, especially the ones in Northern Virginia, are great for large gatherings (provided there is a designated driver in the gathering), but the crowds can get obnoxious. If you've been to an outdoor wine festival in the state, you know the drill: People taking their time tasting, asking silly questions in the hopes of getting extra tastings and paying no mind to their holding up of the line; people behind you pushing you forward and holding their glasses in front of your face; the inability to ask serious questions about the wine or winery to those pouring (most pourers are volunteers anyway who know very little about the wine or winery).
Apparently many wineries in the Commonwealth feel the same way about festivals. A few winery owners we've talked to have also pretty much given up on the festival circuit. It's a good way to sell a lot of wine, and some very small wineries that may not have open tasting rooms move some product during the festivals. But many festivals (according to our discussions with a few winery owners) are poorly planned, have soft enforcement of "intoxicated in public" laws (which has led to violence according to one winery owner), and if it rains or is unbearably hot outside, the festival goes on (imagine tasting during a constant downpour, or during 100 degree heat--the blogmasters have been to festivals under both scenarios and they're not much fun).
But there is one exception to the "festivals by in large suck" philosophy of the blogmasters: The Virginia Wine Expo. A little less than a month away, this is a wine festival which even wineries that actively shun other festivals in the state attend. 2013 marks the 6th year of the Virginia Wine Expo. It's a big party.
There are numerous reasons why this festival is light years ahead from the others:
1. Climate control. The festival occurs at the end of February, which is not ideal outdoor time for Virginia. Having the festival indoors means the cold, rain, sleet, snow, or rare derecho, can't stop it (as long as the power stays on....)
2. Most wineries. You'll see wineries here from every corner of the state, versus just the usual festival suspects.
3. Best atmosphere. Being located in the center of the state, the people who attend this festival are serious about wine and the Virginia winery scene. For the other festivals, especially the ones in Northern Virginia, many people just go to get drunk, and could care less about the wine or wineries. We've read comments on Yelp and other review sites of Virginia wine festivals where the writers even confess they think "Virginia wine sucks, but [the festival] is a great cheap way to get completely trashed."
4. Downtown Richmond. If you shell out the dough for a room at one of the downtown hotels, you can walk to the Convention Center, which means no DUI concerns. And after a day of tasting all you can taste and learning about the wines, there are several great restaurants in walking distance.
5. More than "just a festival." This is a week-long conference: February 19-24. Many Virginia winery and vineyard owners attend all week. There are seminars on the weekend as well as the more typical "walk around tastings." If you're in the meeting planning business, you know what it takes to pull such a week long event off. No poor planning here.
We hope to see you there. Some helpful links below:
Click here for general information on the Virginia Wine Expo.
Click here for a list of the wineries.
Click here for the events list and ticket buying module.
Click here for hotel deals.
Apparently many wineries in the Commonwealth feel the same way about festivals. A few winery owners we've talked to have also pretty much given up on the festival circuit. It's a good way to sell a lot of wine, and some very small wineries that may not have open tasting rooms move some product during the festivals. But many festivals (according to our discussions with a few winery owners) are poorly planned, have soft enforcement of "intoxicated in public" laws (which has led to violence according to one winery owner), and if it rains or is unbearably hot outside, the festival goes on (imagine tasting during a constant downpour, or during 100 degree heat--the blogmasters have been to festivals under both scenarios and they're not much fun).
But there is one exception to the "festivals by in large suck" philosophy of the blogmasters: The Virginia Wine Expo. A little less than a month away, this is a wine festival which even wineries that actively shun other festivals in the state attend. 2013 marks the 6th year of the Virginia Wine Expo. It's a big party.
There are numerous reasons why this festival is light years ahead from the others:
1. Climate control. The festival occurs at the end of February, which is not ideal outdoor time for Virginia. Having the festival indoors means the cold, rain, sleet, snow, or rare derecho, can't stop it (as long as the power stays on....)
2. Most wineries. You'll see wineries here from every corner of the state, versus just the usual festival suspects.
3. Best atmosphere. Being located in the center of the state, the people who attend this festival are serious about wine and the Virginia winery scene. For the other festivals, especially the ones in Northern Virginia, many people just go to get drunk, and could care less about the wine or wineries. We've read comments on Yelp and other review sites of Virginia wine festivals where the writers even confess they think "Virginia wine sucks, but [the festival] is a great cheap way to get completely trashed."
4. Downtown Richmond. If you shell out the dough for a room at one of the downtown hotels, you can walk to the Convention Center, which means no DUI concerns. And after a day of tasting all you can taste and learning about the wines, there are several great restaurants in walking distance.
5. More than "just a festival." This is a week-long conference: February 19-24. Many Virginia winery and vineyard owners attend all week. There are seminars on the weekend as well as the more typical "walk around tastings." If you're in the meeting planning business, you know what it takes to pull such a week long event off. No poor planning here.
We hope to see you there. Some helpful links below:
Click here for general information on the Virginia Wine Expo.
Click here for a list of the wineries.
Click here for the events list and ticket buying module.
Click here for hotel deals.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
What's In a Name?
Syrah...or Shiraz? Pinot Gris...or Pinot Grigio? Meritage...or Ameritage? Champagne.....or sparkling wine?
Anyone with even a passing interest in wine may know the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine, but what about the others? The difference is minor for Syrah and Shiraz; it's a geography thing. Syrah is the red varietal originally from France, and that name is used in most other vineyard-rich countries, including Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand. Shiraz is the name for the same varietal adopted in Australia, as well as South Africa and Canada (a dry red from Canada? Yes, they exist). In the U.S., most wineries that offer Syrah stick with the original name, unless you happen to visit a winery owned by an Aussie or South African.
Meritage and Ameritage is a unique distinction. In order to be classified as a Meritage, a winery must join the Meritage Association, founded by a small group of Napa Valley winemakers who became increasingly frustrated by regulations stipulating wines contain at least 75% of a specific grape to be labeled as that varietal. So in 1988, when the Association was created, members sought to create a recognizable name for their high-quality blended wines. The name Meritage was selected. It is a special name, so special that wineries that do not belong to the Meritage Association are literally breaking the law if they call one of their red blends a Meritage. To get around that, some crafty wineries in the U.S. have added an "A" to the front of the name.
The varietals used by Virginia winemakers in Meritage/Ameritage are typically Cab Franc, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Malbec and Petit Verdot; percentages of the varietals used in each blend vary by winery. But Petit Verdot is usually on the low end (although that may change, as stand-alone Petit Verdot is becoming very popular in the Commonwealth). The underlying rule in creating a Meritage is that no varietal comprises more than 90% of the blend.
Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are familiar names to Virginia winery hoppers, and have replaced the venerable Chardonnay as the to-go whites for many imbibers. Many wineries offer one or the other (and in one case, they offer both). The differences are subtle. Pinot Gris is the French variation, and Pinot Grigio is the Italian name. The grapes are red on the vine, but they are blended into distinctive whites. Pinot Gris tends to be a bit on the sweeter side, resembling an off dry Riesling in many cases. Pinot Grigio is usually drier, but in the end it depends on how the winemaker craft.
Where to try Meritage/Ameritage and Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio in Virginia:
Sparkling wines and Syrah can be found in some wineries scattered throughout the state, but they are not very common. For purposes of this post, we'll focus on Meritage and Pinot Gris/Grigio, which are very common and are getting better with each growing year. Our favorites:
Gadino Cellars
The name itself says it all--this is an Italian-themed winery. The family hails from the Old Country, so needless to say they call it Pinot Grigio here. Their grigio has soft citrus notes, is wonderfully dry, and goes quite well with both white sauce pasta dishes and cheese omelettes. Gadino Cellars is a blogmaster favorite, situated amongst meadows near the base of Skyline Drive in Sperryville.
Fox Meadow Winery
Care to compare Pinot Gris to Pinot Grigio? Fox Meadow is the place to do it. They've perfected both French style and Italian style; Gris is off dry, crisp, with notes of white delicious apples and nectarine. Grigio is bone dry, with notes of grapefruit and honeysuckle. Fox Meadow also offers a Meritage, a true Meritage; they are serious winemakers and have many awards (including a Governors Cup) to show for it.
Pollak Vineyards
A tad sweeter than the Pinot Gris at Fox Meadow, but with a creamy mouthfeel and notes of lemon. Pollak is another favorite of the authors, and also a proud member of the Meritage Association.
North Gate Vineyard
A relatively new winery in Loudoun County, North Gate makes a terrific Meritage, with a breakdown of varietals unique in that it brings out the Petit Verdot more, and lessens the content of Merlot. The result is something that even California wine enthusiasts are raving about. The formula: 47% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Petit Verdot, and 6% Merlot.
Unicorn Winery
A hearty Meritage is offered at Unicorn, a location more widely known for its whites and lighter reds. But the Meritage, with its formula of 40% Cab Sauv, 30% Cab Franc and 30% Merlot, is a fantastic steak wine.
Veritas Vineyard
An example of an "Ameritage," (although Veritas calls their blend "Vintner's Blend"), their blend is living proof that you don't need to be a member of the Meritage Association to produce a fine Meritage-esque :) wine.......their excellent, robust blend of 42% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 25% Petit Verdot, and 16% Cabernet Sauv, boasts notes of licorace, chocolate, and raisins.
Three Fox Vineyards
Another winery with roots in the Old Country (Italy), their Pinot Grigio has notes of citrus and apricot, and makes a great pairing with pork and chicken dishes.
Anyone with even a passing interest in wine may know the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine, but what about the others? The difference is minor for Syrah and Shiraz; it's a geography thing. Syrah is the red varietal originally from France, and that name is used in most other vineyard-rich countries, including Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand. Shiraz is the name for the same varietal adopted in Australia, as well as South Africa and Canada (a dry red from Canada? Yes, they exist). In the U.S., most wineries that offer Syrah stick with the original name, unless you happen to visit a winery owned by an Aussie or South African.
Meritage and Ameritage is a unique distinction. In order to be classified as a Meritage, a winery must join the Meritage Association, founded by a small group of Napa Valley winemakers who became increasingly frustrated by regulations stipulating wines contain at least 75% of a specific grape to be labeled as that varietal. So in 1988, when the Association was created, members sought to create a recognizable name for their high-quality blended wines. The name Meritage was selected. It is a special name, so special that wineries that do not belong to the Meritage Association are literally breaking the law if they call one of their red blends a Meritage. To get around that, some crafty wineries in the U.S. have added an "A" to the front of the name.
The varietals used by Virginia winemakers in Meritage/Ameritage are typically Cab Franc, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Malbec and Petit Verdot; percentages of the varietals used in each blend vary by winery. But Petit Verdot is usually on the low end (although that may change, as stand-alone Petit Verdot is becoming very popular in the Commonwealth). The underlying rule in creating a Meritage is that no varietal comprises more than 90% of the blend.
Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are familiar names to Virginia winery hoppers, and have replaced the venerable Chardonnay as the to-go whites for many imbibers. Many wineries offer one or the other (and in one case, they offer both). The differences are subtle. Pinot Gris is the French variation, and Pinot Grigio is the Italian name. The grapes are red on the vine, but they are blended into distinctive whites. Pinot Gris tends to be a bit on the sweeter side, resembling an off dry Riesling in many cases. Pinot Grigio is usually drier, but in the end it depends on how the winemaker craft.
Where to try Meritage/Ameritage and Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio in Virginia:
Sparkling wines and Syrah can be found in some wineries scattered throughout the state, but they are not very common. For purposes of this post, we'll focus on Meritage and Pinot Gris/Grigio, which are very common and are getting better with each growing year. Our favorites:
Gadino Cellars
The name itself says it all--this is an Italian-themed winery. The family hails from the Old Country, so needless to say they call it Pinot Grigio here. Their grigio has soft citrus notes, is wonderfully dry, and goes quite well with both white sauce pasta dishes and cheese omelettes. Gadino Cellars is a blogmaster favorite, situated amongst meadows near the base of Skyline Drive in Sperryville.
Fox Meadow Winery
Care to compare Pinot Gris to Pinot Grigio? Fox Meadow is the place to do it. They've perfected both French style and Italian style; Gris is off dry, crisp, with notes of white delicious apples and nectarine. Grigio is bone dry, with notes of grapefruit and honeysuckle. Fox Meadow also offers a Meritage, a true Meritage; they are serious winemakers and have many awards (including a Governors Cup) to show for it.
Pollak Vineyards
A tad sweeter than the Pinot Gris at Fox Meadow, but with a creamy mouthfeel and notes of lemon. Pollak is another favorite of the authors, and also a proud member of the Meritage Association.
North Gate Vineyard
A relatively new winery in Loudoun County, North Gate makes a terrific Meritage, with a breakdown of varietals unique in that it brings out the Petit Verdot more, and lessens the content of Merlot. The result is something that even California wine enthusiasts are raving about. The formula: 47% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Petit Verdot, and 6% Merlot.
Unicorn Winery
A hearty Meritage is offered at Unicorn, a location more widely known for its whites and lighter reds. But the Meritage, with its formula of 40% Cab Sauv, 30% Cab Franc and 30% Merlot, is a fantastic steak wine.
Veritas Vineyard
An example of an "Ameritage," (although Veritas calls their blend "Vintner's Blend"), their blend is living proof that you don't need to be a member of the Meritage Association to produce a fine Meritage-esque :) wine.......their excellent, robust blend of 42% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 25% Petit Verdot, and 16% Cabernet Sauv, boasts notes of licorace, chocolate, and raisins.
Three Fox Vineyards
Another winery with roots in the Old Country (Italy), their Pinot Grigio has notes of citrus and apricot, and makes a great pairing with pork and chicken dishes.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Local Heroes
Happy New Year! As 2013 gets off to a typically cold and dark start, never fear: Local (for Fairfax County/Arlington/Alexandria/DC residents) wineries are here!
Three wineries within Fairfax County, or very close to the Fairfax County border, are open for business during the cold months and welcome visitors to escape the winter doldrums, if only for a few hours.
Two spots are relatively new: The Winery at Bull Run and Cana Vineyards.
The third has been open for a little over two years: Paradise Springs Winery.
The Winery at Bull Run
Not many Virginia wineries (or wineries in the entire country, for that matter) can lay claim to being located on a battlefield. With the Manassas Battlefield surrounding the winery on nearly every side, and the historic Stone Bridge and Stone House a stone's throw away, The Winery at Bull Run offers not only terrific wines (particularly impressive since they're new on the wine scene, and not even listed in the 2012 Virginia Winery Map), but a history lesson. The tasting room resides in a centuries-old log cabin, which seems to double as a battlefield artifact museum. The wood absorbs the sound nicely (being the closest winery to Washington DC means this winery gets extremely busy, in all seasons). The wood floor includes several window panes that look down to the barrel room - a nice touch.
As for the wines, Chris Pearmund, a Virginia vino master, oversees the winemaking. That would explain why they are so sophisticated and balanced (despite the youth of this winery). Being a new and already expanding spot, the wines are priced a bit higher than the norm (being so close to recession-proof DC helps). Not a bottle under $28 as of this writing, but all are worth trying (most are dry, so if you come expecting a lot of whites or sweets, you may go away slightly disappointed). The Meritage blend and the Cab Franc were our favorites, and both have well-deserved medals. On the white side, the "Delaney" blend (of Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Viognier, and Riesling) will satisfy the sweet fans, but is more of a summer wine. Another sweeter option is a wine not found in many locations in the Commonwealth: Chardonnel, with distinctive notes of peach. Charonnel is a cross between Seyval and Chardonnay, and is quite popular in states north of Virginia, particularly New York.
The owners are rightfully proud of this spot, and are planning for the long haul in the VAVINO business. A "Battlefield Viewing Deck" for wine club members opened last fall.
Cana Vineyards and Winery
The blogmasters were surprised to find this new winery (open since October 2012) on the way to Middleburg a few weeks ago. There is a Biblical aspect to this location (look up the word "Cana"), and if Jesus turned water into wine, maybe it would resemble a fine Virginia Cab Franc? As is the case with the Winery at Bull Run, the Cab Fran was our favorite wine here, with soft tannins and a smooth oaky finish. Cana has more whites and sweeter wines than Bull Run, and the prices are a bit lower.
They also dabble in fruit wines; currently Apple and Raspberry Apple are offered. The winery is already buzzing, perhaps due to its easy to find location directly off U.S. 50, east of Middleburg. Live bands are offered on most weekends, and with so many outdoor seating options, this winery will probably get very crowded in the warmer months.
Tastings are conducted in a cold barrel room - the tastings are very informative and highly entertaining, but wear your coat.
Paradise Springs Winery
Located near the historic Fairfax County village of Clifton, Paradise Springs Winery emerged in late 2010 and conducted its tastings in a small log cabin, which was pretty tight. Several months later, the owners revealed an airy tasting building, complete with a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, watching over the impressive tasting room. The wines have already won numerous awards, including the 2011 Virginia Governors Cup for their chardonnay.
There is something for everyone in your group: From bone dry to sweet. Fans of sweeter styles will love the wine that is slowly becoming popular in the state: Petit Manseng. Winemakers are discovering how this varietal loves the soil in the Commonwealth, and it does especially well on the eastern side of the state.
Our favorites were the chardonnay and viognier, and we've never met a Cab Franc in Virginia we haven't liked or loved. Paradise Springs is no exception.
Paradise Springs does not require visitors to be wine club members in order to use their warm enclosed deck (complete with a wood burning fireplace, although they ask that you don't tend to the fire yourself, unlike other wineries with wood fireplaces or firepits). Actually, as of this writing, Paradise Springs does not have a wine club, but one is coming soon. Hopefully they'll keep the deck open to general visitors.
Since all three of the wineries in this post are located close to Washington DC, events and wedding bookings are common. Unless you visit during the week, expect large crowds at these locations. Be patient and arrive early - secure your seat inside the Winery at Bull Run, Cana or Paradise Springs and drink the winter blues away.
Three wineries within Fairfax County, or very close to the Fairfax County border, are open for business during the cold months and welcome visitors to escape the winter doldrums, if only for a few hours.
Two spots are relatively new: The Winery at Bull Run and Cana Vineyards.
The third has been open for a little over two years: Paradise Springs Winery.
The Winery at Bull Run
Not many Virginia wineries (or wineries in the entire country, for that matter) can lay claim to being located on a battlefield. With the Manassas Battlefield surrounding the winery on nearly every side, and the historic Stone Bridge and Stone House a stone's throw away, The Winery at Bull Run offers not only terrific wines (particularly impressive since they're new on the wine scene, and not even listed in the 2012 Virginia Winery Map), but a history lesson. The tasting room resides in a centuries-old log cabin, which seems to double as a battlefield artifact museum. The wood absorbs the sound nicely (being the closest winery to Washington DC means this winery gets extremely busy, in all seasons). The wood floor includes several window panes that look down to the barrel room - a nice touch.
As for the wines, Chris Pearmund, a Virginia vino master, oversees the winemaking. That would explain why they are so sophisticated and balanced (despite the youth of this winery). Being a new and already expanding spot, the wines are priced a bit higher than the norm (being so close to recession-proof DC helps). Not a bottle under $28 as of this writing, but all are worth trying (most are dry, so if you come expecting a lot of whites or sweets, you may go away slightly disappointed). The Meritage blend and the Cab Franc were our favorites, and both have well-deserved medals. On the white side, the "Delaney" blend (of Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Viognier, and Riesling) will satisfy the sweet fans, but is more of a summer wine. Another sweeter option is a wine not found in many locations in the Commonwealth: Chardonnel, with distinctive notes of peach. Charonnel is a cross between Seyval and Chardonnay, and is quite popular in states north of Virginia, particularly New York.
The owners are rightfully proud of this spot, and are planning for the long haul in the VAVINO business. A "Battlefield Viewing Deck" for wine club members opened last fall.
Cana Vineyards and Winery
The blogmasters were surprised to find this new winery (open since October 2012) on the way to Middleburg a few weeks ago. There is a Biblical aspect to this location (look up the word "Cana"), and if Jesus turned water into wine, maybe it would resemble a fine Virginia Cab Franc? As is the case with the Winery at Bull Run, the Cab Fran was our favorite wine here, with soft tannins and a smooth oaky finish. Cana has more whites and sweeter wines than Bull Run, and the prices are a bit lower.
They also dabble in fruit wines; currently Apple and Raspberry Apple are offered. The winery is already buzzing, perhaps due to its easy to find location directly off U.S. 50, east of Middleburg. Live bands are offered on most weekends, and with so many outdoor seating options, this winery will probably get very crowded in the warmer months.
Tastings are conducted in a cold barrel room - the tastings are very informative and highly entertaining, but wear your coat.
Paradise Springs Winery
Located near the historic Fairfax County village of Clifton, Paradise Springs Winery emerged in late 2010 and conducted its tastings in a small log cabin, which was pretty tight. Several months later, the owners revealed an airy tasting building, complete with a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, watching over the impressive tasting room. The wines have already won numerous awards, including the 2011 Virginia Governors Cup for their chardonnay.
There is something for everyone in your group: From bone dry to sweet. Fans of sweeter styles will love the wine that is slowly becoming popular in the state: Petit Manseng. Winemakers are discovering how this varietal loves the soil in the Commonwealth, and it does especially well on the eastern side of the state.
Our favorites were the chardonnay and viognier, and we've never met a Cab Franc in Virginia we haven't liked or loved. Paradise Springs is no exception.
Paradise Springs does not require visitors to be wine club members in order to use their warm enclosed deck (complete with a wood burning fireplace, although they ask that you don't tend to the fire yourself, unlike other wineries with wood fireplaces or firepits). Actually, as of this writing, Paradise Springs does not have a wine club, but one is coming soon. Hopefully they'll keep the deck open to general visitors.
Since all three of the wineries in this post are located close to Washington DC, events and wedding bookings are common. Unless you visit during the week, expect large crowds at these locations. Be patient and arrive early - secure your seat inside the Winery at Bull Run, Cana or Paradise Springs and drink the winter blues away.
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