Acclaimed seafood restaurant and meeting place for the politically connected, Kinkead’s, always includes some Virginia wines on the wine list. We dined there this past weekend, and we were excited to see that a current feature pour was the 2006 Chardonnay Reserve from First Colony Winery. Our friend and favorite bartender, Jeff, gave us a sample, and we were pleased by its pear and apple characteristics. It finished with toasted almonds and honey. It’s always a thrill for us to see Virginia wines on area wine lists, and we suggest that readers seek out Virginia wines when they dine out. Plan a visit to Kinkead’s for an elegant night out, and ask for a glass or bottle of the 2006 Chardonnay Reserve from First Colony Winery with your meal. Mention that Virginia Wine Time made the recommendation!
Author: Warren
Eat Lasagna, Drink Naked
So it’s that time of year to enjoy lasagna and drink wine at Naked Mountain Vineyard and Winery. Last weekend, we brought along my sister Cindy, brother-in-law Travis and my nephew Ellis. Travis is a fellow wine lover and foodie; needless to say, he was game for lasagna and wine.
https://blog.extraface.com/2024/08/07/vp6xp7t Of course, we all had to figure out which wine to pair with our lasagna, and that required tasting wines. We were certain that we wanted a red wine, but why not try the white wines, too? Paul’s favorite of the white wines was the Sauvignon Blanc, and it definitely conjured images of springtime flowers and warmer temperatures. Citrus flavors and a crisp finish highlighted this pour. Travis and I favored the full-bodied Black label Chardonnay with its apple and pear notes. I appreciated its toasted nut finish.
https://mandikaye.com/blog/att3rqn917r Now on to the red wines, and a potential pairing with lasagna was on our minds. Our choice was the 2005 Scarlet Oak Red. This is a Rhone-style blend with Syrah, Mourvedre, and Tannat, and it presented a denser core with aromas and flavors of dark fruit and black pepper. I also detected some tobacco on the nose. The Tannat provided a nice backbone, too, and the Scarlet Oak Red finished long. We all concluded that the Scarlet Oak Red had what it took to meet the weight and spice of the sausage lasagna.
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https://nedediciones.com/uncategorized/s8qduy6 With our tasting done, we settled down for a wonderful meal but made certain to claim a table near the glass doors that allowed us to view snow-capped mountains. A nearby bird feeder was quite busy with all sorts of birds including cardinals and tanagers. I must also mention that my sister Cindy is not a wine drinker but was very patient with us as we completed the arduous task of wine tasting. She and my teen-aged nephew did keep track of the many varieties of birds that frequented the bird feeder, and they even braved the cold outdoors to appreciate the lovely winter landscape while we completed our task to select the perfect wine. Eventually, we all dined on lasagna and garlic bread, and the wine drinkers acknowledged that the 2005 Scarlet Oak Red was the perfect partner with the meal.
Take advantage of the winter lasagna menu at Naked Mountain Vineyard and Winery; of course, enjoy lasagna with a bottle of Naked Mountain Wine. Be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.
Extra Pour Winter Edition
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In this edition of the Extra Pour you’ll find out what happens in the vineyard during the winter. Click on the image to download the latest Extra Pour!
Loudoun County Round Up
https://www.clawscustomboxes.com/7w8j6gssf This post is devoted to the tastings we’ve done at other Loudoun County wineries in the past couple of weeks. With the barrage of snow hitting the area, it’s been hard to get out on the wine trails; however, we do keep material in reserve for just such occasions.
Xanax From Mexico Online Fabbioli Cellars—Always a treat to taste the latest pours here and to chat with winemaker, Doug Fabbioli. As usual, the lineup here is impressive, and tasters cannot go wrong with any of the selections on Doug’s tasting menu. Winter sippers who are tired of heavy reds but not quite ready for white wines may want to try the 2008 Rosa Luna, a dry rose made from Sangiovese grapes. Bright strawberry and melon flavors make for a fruity and versatile pour. The 2008 Chambourcin is a raspberry delight in the glass; I’m picky about Chambourcin, but a bottle of this one ended coming home with me. Doug is devoted to Cabernet Franc, and both the 2008 Cabernet Franc and the 2008 Cabernet Franc Reserve are gems. The Reserve is aged longer in both French and American oak barrels, and the result is a bigger-bodied wine with extracted fruit characteristics and a lengthier finish. Be sure to try the pear wine—we tasted this one out of the barrel last year and made a prediction that it was destined to be a crowd pleaser. We were not disappointed. Blended with a bit of brandy, the Aperitif Pear Wine needs only a cozy fireplace and a special someone.
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Tarara Winery—We had not been to Tarara Winery in quite a while, and the current pours are the handiwork of winemaker Jordan Harris. We decided to participate in the premium tasting; it was 20 bucks a piece but worth the experience. This tasting is conducted in a private tasting room that provides a spectacular mountain view, and participating palate are seated around an ample yet elegant dining table. We were served a plate of snacks that would complement the pours, and we concluded that the premium pours were all quite solid. Of the whites, my own favorite was the 2008 Viognier with its peachy nose and floral aromas. Aged in French oak, this Viognier is a fuller-bodied white wine that should be a hit with shellfish; I make an herb-crusted turkey breast that would partner quite well with this one. Of the red wines, it was hard to beat the Long Bomb Edition 2. Violets and tobacco on the nose noted here with dark fruit in the mouth and nice tanning make this a natural partner with anything that moos. Serve now if you wish, but decant first. The Long Bomb Edition 2 is enclosed with a screw cap, so it can age for a while; however, drink within the next 10 years. The value pour of the event had to be the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. At 20 bucks a pop, I thought it was worth every penny given its quality—plum and blackberry notes with spice and tobacco on the nose, here was yet another partner for a steak dinner beside a roaring fire.
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Corcoran Vineyards—We always look forward to seeing Lori in the tasting room and to sampling her latest pours. I’ve always been a fan of her Chardonnay, and I was not disappointed with the apple-inflected 2008 Chardonnay that was aged in both stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. Paul preferred the more floral 2008 Viognier. “Dry” and “tropical” were his descriptors, and he noted that fish fillets would be a nice pairing with this one. We moved on to the red wines, and we both enjoyed the rich 2008 Malbec. I suspect that this one may have a cult following since very few Virginia wineries produce Malbec as a single variety much less at this quality. The 2008 offering from Corcoran Vineyards is quite good and packed with dark cherry and plum flavors with some mocha at the end. We noted a lengthier finish, too. Since it’s wintertime (duh), serve now with roasted meats; however, save for later to pour with grilled steaks when the weather warms up. For a more complex and truly age-worthy wine, though, try the 2007 Meritage.
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https://eloquentgushing.com/xpic9josun So when the snow lets up and you need to get out of the house, visit these outstanding Loudoun County wineries. We promise to get back on the trail once Frosty the Snowman melts for good. In the meantime, put these wineries on your “to visit” list; mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.
Return To Fox Meadows Vineyards
A couple of weekends ago, we decided to pay a visit to Fox Meadow Vineyards. Our last visit there occurred quite a while ago. Needless to say, we were looking forward to sampling the current releases at Fox Meadow Vineyards, and all of these were certainly new to our palates.
Of the white wines, our gold star favorite was the 2007 Le Renard Gris, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. We were impressed by its melon flavors and pleasant feel. Serve as a sipper or partner to light picnic fare or salads—Le Renard Gris should be a crowd pleaser.
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https://www.clawscustomboxes.com/sz6mz1q We reached a split decision on the red wines. Paul favored the 2007 Cabernet Franc, and he noted its dark garnet core with mixed berry and spice characteristics complemented by a woodsy finish. My own fave was the 2007 Le Renard Rouge. This one presented a longer finish but first presented a red berry nose with a splash of plum to boot; similar flavors were noted in the mouth. The 2007 Le Renard Rouge should prove to be an age-worthy wine, so buy now to drink later.
Alprazolam Mexico Online Owner Dan Mortland invited us down to the barrel room for a sneak sample of the upcoming Syrah, and we anticipate a release that will be bolder than the lighter-bodied pour currently offered in the tasting room.
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Buying Xanax Online With our tasting concluded, we enjoyed a glass of the 2007 Cabernet Franc while taking in lovely mountain views from the tasting room. Though a post-blizzard thaw had long begun, enough snow remained to present a winter landscape that we appreciated as we swirled and sipped.
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Buy Xanax 2Mg Cheap We plan to return to Fox meadow Vineyards soon to sample upcoming releases. Be certain to visit, too, and be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.
Breaux Vineyards’ Cabernet Vertical Tasting
This past Saturday, we attended a vertical tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon at Breaux Vineyards. Samples from previous and current vintages were paired with appropriate food courses. On hand to present the wines and their profiles was winemaker David Collins.
For those who may not know, a vertical tasting is a tasting of wine of the same variety but from different years. In this case, Breaux Vineyards presented a vertical tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon that included the 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2006 vintages with barrel samples from the 2007 and 2008 vintages. However, the event started with guests receiving a sample pour of the 2006 Meritage as they made their way to the tables. This younger, fruit-forward blend was the perfect way to begin as it prepared palates for the more full-bodied offerings to follow.
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https://blog.extraface.com/2024/08/07/smini5g The first wines offered for sample were the barrel samples, the 2008 and 2007. Both were still very young with the 2008 very tight on the nose; of course, this is to be expected with such a young wine still in its developmental stages. The 2007 barrel sample has signs of potential greatness with its characteristics of dark fruit and cedar. A tannic presence still prevails, but this will smooth with time. Both wines paired nicely with the braised beef rib served over polenta; this course included a sinful chocolate truffle that I thought took the tannic edge off of both barrel samples while bringing forward the fruit characters.
The second course featured my favorite dish of the evening—pork wellington served over wild rise and a pomegranate crème fraiche. An interesting twist to the wellington was the inclusion of a layer of mushroom slices between the pork and pastry shell. This added a layer of earthiness to the flavor profile which perhaps was why this course was partnered with the earthier 2006 and 2005 vintages. Of these vintages, my preferred the 2006; however, both vintages offered aromas that I described as leather and tobacco with tannins still more pronounced in the mouth.
https://mandikaye.com/blog/8llyj7y The third course featured my favorite wines of the evening—the 2002 and 2001 vintages. In fact, my gold star of the evening was given to the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. Here now was the melding of fruit character and tannins to present a more complex wine with a nice, long finish. I detected some smokiness on the nose with dark plum, black cherry, and mocha in the mouth. Nice, silky tannins, too! “Excellent” sums it up! Oh—the food pairing was just as excellent. Grilled salmon over saffron rice served aside a chive rosewater-infused oil pecorino-romano. The 2001 was a close second for me; the fruit profile here was more extracted than the 2002 which no doubt came with the extra year of aging.
The evening ended with lagniappe, which in New Orleans means “bonus”. Our bonus pour was the 2009 Cabernet Rose, a tank sample of an upcoming rose offering. Another “still young” sample, this rose should settle down quite nicely in time for summer.
https://foster2forever.com/2024/08/fppsf1efs8.html So what was the final vote for the vertical tasting? Did Paul award any gold stars?My final verdict was as follows: *2002, 2001, 2007, 2006, 2005. Paul’s vote went like this: *2001, 2002, 2007, 2005, 2006. Neither of us included the 2008 in the mix since it was still too young to judge; we wanted to be fair to the 2008 vintage!
Cheapest Alprazolam Online These events are always fund and informative. For winemakers, it’s an opportunity to showcase wines from several vintages with each vintage the result of varying circumstances not the least of which is the weather. It was to surprise, for example, that the 2007 barrel sample presented quite nicely; that year was one of the best in Virginia with weather conditions resembling those of Napa in California.
https://blog.extraface.com/2024/08/07/vsbisj6rta The evening flew by too quickly. We caught up with Jennifer Breaux Blosser who heads the hospitality and events team at Breaux Vineyards and Sylvia Miller, one of our favorite tasting associates at Breaux Vineyards. We also met SuzieLin (one of our Twitter buddies) and Joel Timmins for the Examiner. It was great meeting them and chatting about the vertical tasting.
https://solomedicalsupply.com/2024/08/07/f4jva9c3y6u Be sure to visit Breaux Vineyards, and do inquire about events such as this vertical tasting to learn more about Virginia wines through the years. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.
Bright Horizons at Delaplane Cellars
https://www.clawscustomboxes.com/kr83q3n A Happy New Year to our readers, and away we go with yet another year of tasting fine wines from Virginia. We started the new year with a sampling at a new winery—Delaplane Cellars located in Delaplane, Virginia. It was a cold and chilly afternoon, of course, but we bundled up and braved the winter’s freezing blast of frigid air. We were not disappointed; the new kid on the block, Delaplane Cellars, offers an impressive lineup of wines.
Delaplane Cellars opened the weekend after Thanksgiving, 2009. At opening, it offered about 1200 cases of wine. Current offerings are produced from grapes grown on Virginia vineyards. Autumn was our tasting associate, and she skillfully guided us through our tasting. Armed gold stars, we swirled and sipped. The white wines were all quite solid. For Chardonnay lovers, the 2008 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay should prove to be quite a treat. Done in a Burgundian style, this one presented pear flavors with a subtle but noticeable toasty finish. Paul’s decorated the 2008 Honah Lee Viognier with his gold star. He noted a dry crispness with peach flavors and concluded that this Viognier was treated in stainless steel tanks. However, Paul was surprised to learn that the 2008 Honah Lee Viogner was fermented and then aged for about 10 months in neutral French oak barrels. I designated this one as a classic sipper that could pair well with lighter fare. My own favorite? The 2008 Maggie’s Vineyard Viognier. This one presented a floral nose with rich peach flavors and a creamy texture not unlike a full-bodied Chardonnay. Lobster or chicken with cream sauce for dinner? This Viognier would be the perfect partner.
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Cheapest Xanax Red wine and winter seem like a natural pairing. Beef stew, roasted game, braised meats all served by a roaring fire—you get the picture. Red wine offerings at Delaplane Cellars might complete the menu. Paul’s gold star was awarded to the 2007 Old World Cabernet Franc with its mixed berry characteristics and a seductive tobacco nose. Some blending with small portions of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon add complexity to this offering. A bolder option may be found with the 2007 Left Bank Bordeaux Blend. This one earned my gold star. Aged in French oak barrels for 20 months, I detected blackberry and dark cherry flavors with some mocha to boot. An obvious tannic presence suggested that this one was still quite young , but the tannins will mellow with age. Drink now but decant to serve with steak or venison, and be generous with the cracked pepper, herbs and mushrooms. For a splurge, do try the 2007 Springlot Reserve, another Bordeaux-style blend that includes Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Luscious raspberry and cherry characteristics with a spicy edge and some chocolate to finish, this one presented quite a complex blend and like its siblings should age quite nicely.
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Autumn was quite knowledgeable as she facilitated our tasting experience. She shared with us that each labeling provided the vineyard designation. For example, the 2008 Honah Lee Viognier was produced from the Honah Lee Farm located near Orange, Virginia. Likewise with Maggie’s Vineyard, and this vineyard is located on the western slope of Short Mountain near Neerville, Virginia. The red wines were produced from local vineyards too, including the Spring Lot vineyard. Future plans include the production of red wines and perhaps even Viognier from grapes grown on the Delaplane estate.
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https://eloquentgushing.com/31fp1jt7638 We also met Jim Dolphin, owner of and winemaker for Delaplane Cellars. Jim provided us with a tour of the cellar, and he revealed to us his plans to expand production to between 3000 and 5000 cases. Jim’s professional background is in finance; however, he has been a wine enthusiast for many years and can recall the Virginia wine industries’ formative years in the 1980s. Heralded wine maker Jim Law has been his teacher and mentor, and Jim Dolphin has been an insider in the winemaking industry for the past ten years. Dolphin’s methods and preferences are similar to those of Law’s—Old World with an emphasis on vineyard management and fruit quality. As we toured the underground barrel room, we noted new and older barrels; some were American and many were French. Dolphin prefers to ferment and age in a variety of barrels and then he blends according to desired outcome. The results are evident in the tasting room—quality wines that reflect Old World traditions.
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With our tasting and tour done, we gave new homes to several bottles of wines from Delaplane Cellars. (We purchased a bottle each of our gold star faves.) Before we left, we paused to appreciate the breathtaking view of blue-ridged mountains made more stark and vivid on a cold winter’s day. These can be appreciated from Delaplane Cellar’s spacious and well-appointed tasting room; an outdoor deck is in the offing and should prove to be popular in warmer weather.
We know that we will return to Delaplane Cellars soon; however, we encourage readers to start the year right with a visit to Delaplane Cellars. Be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.
Glad Tidings and Gadino Cellars
After we enjoyed holiday nibbles and wines at Gray Ghost Vineyards, we decided to pay a visit to Gadino Cellars for a tasting. It had been quite a while since our last tasting there, and we were eager to see if any new offerings were now available on the tasting menu.
So on a very cold afternoon, we were warmly greeted by Stephanie, assistant wine maker and daughter of owners Bill and Aleta Gadino. As always, we started with the white wines. Our favorite? The 2007 Viognier with its floral nose and peach flavors. Treatment in Hungarian oak provides a softer oak finish. Paul was disappointed to learn that his favorite, the Pinot Grigio was sold out. This was one of our summer favorites, and we await its return next year!
The red wines were then offered for tasting, and we both agreed that the 2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve was the gold star winner. In the mouth, mixed berry flavors ended with vanilla on the finish. Cabernet Franc is known for its spicy characteristic, and this vintage is no exception. Already a gold medal winner, this Cabernet Franc should be quite popular with holiday fare especially if roasted meats are on the menu. Paul was quite pleased that Merlot was back on the menu, and we were able to sample the 2005 Merlot Reserve. What a treat! All we needed was a cigar. Nice blackberry and dark cherry aromas with some tobacco to boot! Of course, Paul had already opened his 2005 Merlot Reserve a long time ago, but he was tempted to purchase another bottle.
With our tasting done, I decided to treat Paul to a glass of the 2005 Merlot Reserve; of course, he had to share! As we sipped and watched the sunlight begin to fade into a lovely glow, Stephanie’s husband Derek stopped by for a brief chat. We learned that the 2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve is offered on restaurant menus including the acclaimed Restaurant Eve in Alexandria. (Note to Virginia wine lovers—if Virginia wines are offered on the wine list, please order a glass or bottle!)
Before we left Gadino Cellars, we made sure to give new homes to a couple of Gadino Cellars’ wines. We also extended our best holiday wishes to Stephanie with promises to return in the New Year. Looking for wines for the holidays? Be sure to visit Gadino Cellars and be certain to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.
And to our readers—HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Drink This!
Wine, of course! Actually, I’m referring to Drink This: Wine Made Simple by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl. Grumdahl’s purpose for writing Drink This is to bring the potentially bewildering (and pretentious) experience of wine tasting to a very basic level. Written for both the novice oenophile and the experienced sommelier and everyone else in between, Drink This offers wine tasting and pairing tips, debunks myths and mistakes about wine, and presents easy-to-understand facts about wine regions and varietals. Wondering what kind of wine to bring to a dinner party? Want to splurge on bubbly for a special event but your wallet has the recession flu? Drink This offers practical advice for these circumstances and many others. Grumdahl’s wise words for the budget weary allow the consumer to buy quality wines at value prices; at the same time, she offers savvy selections that present creative alternatives to California Chardonnay or French Champagnes.
I also appreciate Grumdahl’s no-nonsense approach to the wine experience. Her clever style and straight-forward approach disarms the wine snob and puts the beginner at ease. So you like Merlot? So does Grumdahl! No Sideways poseurs allowed in her book; however, if Merlot is not your thing, Grumdahl has a suggestion for you. Don’t know the difference between Bordeaux, Burgundy or any other wine region? Dara is glad you asked. Structured in a concise, clearly organized yet complete fashion, your questions are answered.
With the holiday season upon us, consider giving Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl’s Drink This: Wine Made Simple as a gift for that favorite wine collector or budding aficionado on your list. Should anyone wonder where you heard of this excellent wine source, mention that you read about it on Virginia Wine Time.
Wine Tasting Roundup
Our last post featured the elegant Reserve Cabernet release party at Gray Ghost Vineyards; however, we also got to enjoy tastings at other wineries that weekend. These included Philip Carter Winery of Virginia, Marterella Winery, and Mediterranean Cellars. We also got to sample wines at a new winery, Molon Lave Vineyards.
We were eager to sample the latest releases at Philip Carter Winery of Virginia. We previously posted about the renaissance taking place under the direction of Philip Carter Strother, and we are pleased to report that the rebirth continues in the right direction. Of the white wines, I favored the 2008 Chardonnay with its apple/pear flavors and pleasant nutty finish. Easy to sip or pair with a favorite poultry dish, I really enjoyed this one. Paul’s favorite was the recently released Governor Fauquier made from Vidal Blanc grapes but presents Riesling characteristics. Fruity with a vibrant acidity, this one will replace the Falconwood, a pleasant sipper that is a blend of white wine grapes. Gold star for the reds? No doubt, it was the 2008 Cabernet Franc with its abundant dark berry flavors and peppery finish. We tasted this one out of the barrel, and we were not surprised that this one earned our gold star award.
It had been a while since our last visit to Marterella Vineyards, so we were determined to sample the latest offerings at this popular winery. The white wines were all very solid, and my own favorite was the 2007 Barrel Select Chardonnay. It was described as a “classic”, and I could not agree more with this descriptor. Barrel fermented and aged on the lees in French oak barrels, this Chardonnay would partner nicely with a dish that featured cream sauces or rich gravies—poultry, lobster, pork, etc., We both enjoyed the Merlot-based 2008 Heritage Dry Rose, a Provence-style rose that rewards with bright strawberry and melon characteristics. A versatile pour that will please picnics, dinner parties, or upcoming holiday feasts, this dry rose must not be confused with sweeter White Zinfandels that seem more appropriate for a hot tub party. Red wine winner? It was hard to deny the 2006 Meritage our gold star. Rich dark fruit dominated the nose and mouth with an earthy component that begged for a bold roasted meat such as beef or venison (poor Bambi, but I did see a nice venison tenderloin with this one.)
So across the street from Marterlla Winery is Mediterranean Cellars. How could we refuse? We were warmly greeted by Matina Papadopoulos who guided our tasting which also included the reserve wines. Our favorites included the rich 2007 Viognier Reserve with its floral/apricot nose and tropical fruit flavors. It rewards on the finish with a nice honeyed texture. For lovers of real Greek wine, the 2005 Rechina is now available, and Matina recommends serving this one with grilled seafood; I have my eye on a grilled chop, though! Of the red wines, the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was the winner with its blackberry and dark cherry aromas and flavors.
Matina informed us that a sister winery, Molon Lave Vineyards, had recently opened, and we were graciously provided with a coupon for free tastings at the winery. This we did on Sunday in the early afternoon. The style of winemaking here is similar to that at Mediterranean Cellars; in fact, Louis Papadopoulos and his son are also winemakers for this new venture. The fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon was our favorite here, and we intend to return to Molon Lave Vineyards to sample other releases as the tasting menu expands. After all, the term Molon Lave in an ancient Greek battle cry that means, “come and take it”; so, we might as well go and sample the wines at a future date!
Planning to visit any of these wineries? Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!