Membership at Prince Michel‘s wine club has its benefits, and we took advantage of this by attending the recent barrel tasting exclusive to club members. In the process, we also met winemaker Brad Hanson. Barrel tasting provides a sneak preview of future wines, and we were eager to sample away!

https://www.psicologialaboral.net/2024/08/07/lqsqub4e38m We joined Brad Hansen, the winemaker, in the private tasting room located in the lower level of the tasting facility. The private tasting room is both practical and elegant. Murals depicting French rural life lined the walls. Heavy furnishings that would have been at home in a French chateau and dim lighting completed the sense of country elegance. As we secured our glasses and plates of cheeses, olives, and crackers, Brad opened the tasting with a brief history of Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery. Not surprisingly, the original owners were from France; the current owners purchased the facility and it’s vineyards in 2005. Since then, Prince Michel has adapted its vineyards located predominantly in Charlottesville; these vineyards are better situated to produce high-quality fruit, and the results are evident in Prince Michel’s award winning wines. Prince Michel currently produces 40,000 cases of wine each year.

https://www.clawscustomboxes.com/3v9fwhps Though this event was a barrle tasting, we actually began with the already bottled Petit Manseng. This is a new member to Prince Michel’s wine portfolio, and this first attempt was quite pleasant. Done in a dry style, the 2006 Petit Manseng presents a citrus bouquet with grapefruit and lemon flavors in the mouth. This would be rather nice with shellfish and salads. Warren placed a star next to this one and will anxiously await its release!

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Now on to the barrel tasting. The one fact to remember at barrel tastings is that the wines are being tasted in their earliest stages and will not be bottle-ready. As Brad grabbed the wine thief, we moved over to the Chardonnay barrel that will become the 2006 Barrel Select Chardonnay. This had been in the barrel for only six months and thus well short of its two year process in the barrel. Oak dominated here with faint apple flavors. It was obvious that this will be a full-bodied white wine, and the fruit will develop over time as the oak resolves itself into the buttery/nutty characteristics associated with a full-bodied Chardonnay.

Next up was a Syrah. Of the wines we barrel sampled, this one was the most developed. It possessed earthy/plummy notes and provided a lingering finish. Some spice was noticed too as is characteristic of Syrah. Brad revealed that the Syrah will be blended with a small amount of Merlot to provide complexity. This one will be bottled after the summer months.

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The final wine we tasted was a Cabernet Sauvignon. Tannins dominated here with peppery overtones. As we swirled it around a bit, there were some hints that dark fruit flavors were beginning to emerge, and we concluded that the tannins will begin to soften over time. Brad shared with us that this Cabernet Sauvignon will be used for blending with the Symbius, a Bourdeaux-style red that is blended with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.

With our session completed, we decided to enjoy a glass of the 2004 Barrel Select Chardonnay from the tasting bar. The expansive tasting room includes tables with checker boards, and we played a few games of checkers as we debated which wines to purchase. (A bottle of the 2004 Cabernet Franc and the 2005 Chardonnay now have new homes!) Please visit Prince Michel, and be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Between two recent winery visits in Charlottesville, we drove by the grape sign for Cardinal Point. Not needing to be anywhere anytime soon, we decided it was time for an update visit. Upon entering the tasting room, we noticed the tasting bar had been renovated to include an extension of the bar. The bar’s new wood surfaces added to the facelift. Of course, we were there to taste wine—read on to find out about new releases at Cardinal Point.

Buy Cheap Alprazolam Online Daniel, our tasting associate, told us of the new releases and then conducted our tasting. As with most tastings, we began with the whites. First up was the 2006 A6. Crisp would be an apt description of this Viognier and Chardonnay blend; expect a longer finish from the 2006 A6. The Chardonnay likewise possesses a longer finish with a buttery texture. For those who prefer sweeter wines, those were next on the tasting menu. The Viognier has 2% residual sugar and considered slightly sweet; its tropical notes is destined to make the Viognier a crowd pleaser during approaching warm weather months. Looking for a picnic wine? Try the 2006 Quattro. This is blend of Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Viognier, and Traminette produces a lovely floral/tropical nose with hints of spice. Its 4% residual sugar certainly qualifies the Quattro as a sweeter wine, but its versatility cannot be questioned. Serve as an apertif, bring to the picnic, pair with holiday ham or spicy Asian foods—the possibilities are numerous!.

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And now on to the reds. We began with the 2006 Rockfish Red. Paul’s star of approval usually goes to this one, and he prefers it slightly chilled. The Rockfish Red is Cabernet Franc-based and very fruit forward. If pizza is on the menu, Rockfish Red is the right partner! The 2005 Cabernet Franc and the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon were up next. These may need more time in the bottle, but are certainly drinkable now. The more medium bodied Cabernet Franc presented bright red berries in the mouth; its bigger brother, the Cabernet Sauvignon, produced darker fruit flavors such as plums and cherries with some spice.

After our tasting we selected a glass of the A6 to enjoy on the patio. It seemed to compliment the warmer weather as we enjoyed the A6 on its own. Of course, we will return to Cardinal Point, but if in the meantime you visit Cardinal Point, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you.

On our recent trip to Charlottesville, it was our mission to visit a few wineries we had not visited before, and Wintergreen Winery was on our list. Wintergreen is located close to the Wintergreen Resort at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a beautiful location for a winery!

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In the tasting room/gift shop, Lisa, our tasting associate provided us with some background information about the winery and guided us through tasting some of the 15 wines available at Wintergreen.

We began with the whites by tasting the 2004 Black Rock Chardonnay. Lisa noted that this wine was reminiscent of hot buttered popcorn. We certainly noticed its buttery mouth feel and oak was certainly present here. A less dominant oakiness was served up with the 2005 Black Rock Chardonnay Reserve, a winner of the 2006 Governors Cup Gold Medal. Other accolades include Best in Class and Gold Medal Winner at the 2006 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition. This well-integrated chardonnay suggests nutty/vanillas aromas with notes of apple and pear. With poultry and fish, the 2005 Black Rock Chardonnay would pair quite nicely. Last of the whites we tasted was the Three Ridges White, a 2006 Wines of the South Gold Medal Winner. This wine was made from the Spanish grape variety, Verdejo. We noted the beautiful pineapple bouquet.

Warren at the tasting bar.

We then moved on to the reds. We began with the 2004 Cabernet Franc, a 2006 Monticello Cup Silver Medalist. This was actually a blend of 77% Cabernet Franc and 23% Merlot. Next up was the 2004 Brent’s Mountain Merlot, which was also a 2006 Monticello Cup Silver Medalist. A medium-bodied and fruit forward wine, we placed our gold star next to this one while mindful that lunchtime had arrived. Last on the red list was the Raspberry wine made from 100% raspberries. This dessert wine will go well with chocolate, fresh fruit, or cheesecake.

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Paul enjoys a glass of the Brent’s Mountain Merlot.

After our tasting we decided to enjoy a bottle of the Brent’s Mountain Merlot with some cheeses, salami, and crackers. We enjoyed this Merlot in the scenic picnic area by the stream that runs behind the tasting room/gift shop. In the time we were enjoying our nibbles, the merlot really opened up and became a nice, smooth bottle of wine. Before leaving Wintergreen we secured another bottle of Brent’s Mountain Merlot. If you find yourself south west of Charlottesville looking for a winery to visit, consider visiting Wintergreen Winery. And if you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you.

With Spring Break upon us, we decided to take a three day weekend trip to Charlottesville to check in with our favorite wineries. One favorite that we never miss is Oakencroft. We had not been there since January and were eager to find out about the new wines.

Buy Yellow Xanax Bars Online We began our tasting with the white wines, and the 2006 Chardonnay was first on the list. This one was bottled in January and just recently released. It is fermented in stainless steel and exhibited apple and pear flavors. The 2006 Chardonnay is clean and crisp. We enjoyed this one so much we decided to have it with our lunch that included breaded chicken breasts, white cheeses, and almonds. Not to be outdone was the newly released 2006 Seyval Blanc. The Oakencroft 2006 Seyval Blanc could pass for a Sauvignon Blanc; it displayed unmistakable lemon/grapefruit characteristics on the nose and these also prevailed in the mouth. Hints of hay were evident as well. Bottled in January, the Seyval Blanc would be quite comfortable with a poultry or shellfish dish. We finished up the whites with the Countryside White which is a blend of seyval blanc, vidal blanc, and viognier. It has .7% residual sugar and is slightly sweeter than the previous whites. We are both anxious for spring and summer, and the Country White would complement any summer sunset!

We then moved on to the reds, and we started with the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. Blended with a small amount of Petit Verdot and Merlot, the Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine with cellar potential. Paul’s fave was the lighter-bodied Cabernet Franc. Paul described it as “light and smooth with lots of red fruit.” He put a star next to this one and for good reason—only a few bottles remained in stock ! Next up was the 2005 Estate Chambourcin. Produced from 100% Chambourcin, it exhibits richer berry flavors and a longer finish that would pair with grilled or roasted meats. Warren’s star went next to the 2004 Petit Verdot; he already has two bottles on the wine rack, and the sample here confirmed that the 2004 Petit Verdot continues to evolve in the bottle. We rounded out the reds with the Countryside Red. This is a blend of Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon with a small amount of Chardonnay for aroma. Its has 2% residual sugar would please any white wine lover yet satisfy red wine lovers too. We considered this one to be a nice sipper on a warm summer afternoon or even a perfect wine to take to Wolf Trap for a concert on the lawn.

The final phase to any fine tasting are the dessert wines and Oakencroft has two: The Sweet Virginia and the 2005 Encore. The Sweet Virginia is a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, and a small amount of Muscat for the sweetness. The 2005 Encore is a blend of Vidal and Traminette at 15% residual sugar was the sweetest wine tasted. Paul thought of a raspberry cheesecake when he tasted this one.

Buy Alprazolam Pills After our tasting we decided to have a bottle of the 2006 Chardonnay with our lunch. It went well with our breaded chicken and rice pilaf. We also had some cheeses and almonds. While having lunch, Felicia Rogan, owner of Oakencroft, came by and said hello. She asked us if we enjoyed any new wines; of course, we mentioned all of the above!

https://mandikaye.com/blog/18btr9uvd Before leaving Oakencroft we purchased several bottles of wine and thanked our tasting associates for a wonderful time. If you happen to be visiting Charlottesville, a stop at Oakencroft is a must. And if you do stop at Oakencroft, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you.

https://sugandhmalhotra.com/2024/08/07/0ara7zl At Virginia Wine Time we are always looking for new wineries to experience. On our recent trip to Charlottesville we decided to visit a winery that we had not been to before. On this trip the new winery was Green Springs Winery at Gioiosa Vineyards in Louise, Virginia.

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Green Springs has been open for two years and is owned by Lew and Amy Gioiosa. After driving up the wooded and scenic driveway, a rustic cabin type tasting room awaited us. Pat, our tasting associate, gave us a brief history of the winery and the Gioiosa’s passion for winemaking and then guided us through the tasting of ten wines. Green Springs now offers two Chardonnays, two Roses, a Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Norton.

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These wines were produced from younger vines and as we progressed through the tasting, we both concluded that Green Springs Winery has great potential. For those who appreciate a full-bodied Chardonnay, the 2005 Chardonnay Reserve is the answer with its buttery mouth feel and pineapple flavors; it has a longer finish with toast at the end. Paul preferred the 2004 Chardonnay and its apple/pear notes that seemed perfect to enjoy on the porch on a warm spring day. Paul’s favorites, though, were the 2004 Cabernet Franc and the 2005 Norton. As we enjoyed a glass on the porch, Paul noted a fruit forwardness rich with red berry/raspberry aromas and flavors. Warren noted a hint of smokiness on the nose. Since we mentioned warm weather, grilling season is around the corner, and a bottle of the Green Springs Cabernet Franc would be an excellent choice with grilled meats. For those who prefer a fuller-bodied wine with their grilled fare, Paul also put a star next to the 2005 Norton. It is a bit bolder and its acidity would perfectly match barbeque sauces. For those who shy away from red wines during the summer, the 2005 Dry Rose might be the answer.

We bid our farewells to Pat and thanked him for an informative tasting experience. We will also return to Green Springs, and we know that our readers will visit as well—be sure to tell Pat that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Order Xanax Online Cod A recent trip to Mediterranean Cellars provided us with new experiences. Since our last visit, the tasting menu expanded to include thirteen offerings, and Jo, our tasting associate, eagerly encouraged us to sample the entire slate. With glasses in hand, we did indeed tackle the tasting menu in its entirety; in the process, we discovered some remarkable pours!

Mediterranean Cellars now offers six whites in the tasting room, and the most interesting was the 2005 Rechina. (Keep in mind that Mediterranean Cellars is owned and operated by the Papadopoulas family, and Retsina is the renowned varietal associated with Greece.)To the nose, the Rechina brings Pine-Sol to mind; however, this is normal. As Jo explained to us, the Greeks fermented the Retsina and transported it in barrels coated with pitch; hence, the wine exhibited aromas and flavors reminiscent of pine. However, with food, this wine is quite enjoyable, and grilled seafood must be the first choice. However, if Greek cuisine is not your thing, please try the Chardonnay as either a sipper or a partner with white meats and/or cheeses.

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As our readers know, Virginia Wine Time awards Gold Stars to stand outs, and at Mediterranean Cellars, these were awarded to at least two reds. These included the 2004 Merlot and the 2004 Chambourcin Special Reserve. Warren is not a fan of Chambourcin; yet, this one was intriguing. More full bodied, the Mediterranean treatment lacked the grapey-sweet characteristics that recall grape jelly. Think steak or lamb with this one; its long, peppery finish will remain long after the meal is done! Paul favored the 2004 Merlot with its cherry/plum qualities. Quite the sipper, this red wine should be quite popular with grilled steak; Warren thought of the classic comfort food, meatloaf with mashed potatoes.

Uk Xanax Buy Now we must admit that we went to Mediterranean Cellars with summer concerts on our minds. We’re Wolftrap fans and reserve our lawn tickets as soon as possible; we like lawn tickets because we like to bring our own food and wine. Now is the time to stock up on what we call the Wolftrap Wines! So what did we find at Mediterranean Cellars to fit the bill? The 2004 Romance—light bodied with lots of fruit, is destined to please on balmy summer nights. We guessed that Chambourcin is the varietal used to produce Romance, but Jo was mum on the secret varietal; however, she did hint that a classic French varietal was used. For those still not sold on red wines as summer sippers, try the 2004 Matina’s Rose. Crisp and clean, this Rose is quite versatile and would be accepted at the summer picnic, the Wolftrap concert, or the Thanksgiving table. Bright red fruit prevail here, but it is rather dry.

https://nedediciones.com/uncategorized/fmhltfz92 The gold star winners found their spaces on the wine rack, and we thanked Jo for her expert commentaries as we bid our farewells. We do intend to return, but we know our readers will want to visit Mediterranean Cellars sooner rather than later. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Marterella Winery is a new winery and vineyard in Warrenton, Virginia. We just happened to see the sign for the winery on a recent trip to Warrenton and decided we needed to find out what it was all about. They have been open since October 2006.

https://merangue.com/5njvl7rovw After driving up the very scenic driveway the views of the vineyards, we entered a beautiful and cozy tasting room with a rustic patio complete with an outdoor wood burning oven. We thought this would make a nice place to enjoy a glass of wine on a chilly afternoon. In the tasting room is a full kitchen with a spacious yet homey tasting bar. Of course, we were interested in the wines and made our way to the bar.

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Guss, our tasting associate, guided us through each of their seven wines. We began with the whites. We tasted the 2005 Vidal Blanc and the 2005 Chardonnay. The well-integrated Chardonnay was the standout with it’s apple/pear flavors and crisp finish. Next up was Rosalie’s Rose. This rose is made from the Merlot grape; in fact, Guss explained that for presentation purposes, the Merlot grapes used to produce this Rose are given very minimal contact with the skins to provide the pinkish color. However, Rosalie’s Rose is quite refreshing with strawberry aromas and flavors. With summer approaching, this Rose is destined to be a winner.

Can I Buy Xanax In Mexico Already impressed with the Marterella whites, we next sampled the reds. We tasted the 2004 Merlot, the 2004 Cabernet Franc, and the 2003 Meritage, and we both concurred that the 2004 Cabernet Franc was the winner. Garnet colored with bright berry and spicy bouquet, the Cabernet Franc can be declared a medium-bodied, table-friendly wine. It’s no secret that Virginia produces some of the best Cabernet Franc, and Marterella’s offering is no exception.

The two dessert wines rounded out our tasting. Sweet Nothings is a chambourcin based wine that has 3% residual sugar, and Grace, a vidal blanc based wine with 8% residual sugar. Both would pair well with a cheese course, and Sweet Nothings might be an appropriate substitute for port.

Guss informed us that there would be a Barrel Select Chardonnay released in July. The Barrel Select Chardonnay will be done in the California style, and those who enjoy heavier-bodied Chardonnays should be on the lookout for this one as it will be a limited production.

After our tasting we each decided to enjoy a glass. Paul selected the 2004 Cabernet Franc and Warren decided on the 2005 Chardonnay. Paul found the Cabernet Franc to be a classic franc with firm tannins and red fruit flavors. It was perfectly dry and had a consistent garnet color. Paul had visions of Thanksgiving dinner in mind while tasting this Cabernet Franc. Warren enjoyed the Chardonnay and found it to be the perfect sipper with white cheddar cheese, almonds, and apple slices.

Upon finishing our glasses of wine, we each purchased a bottle before leaving. Marterella offers well-crafted wines, and we see a bright future for Marterella. Be sure to check out Marterella Winery, and tell them that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

We recently paid a visit to Gadino to sample new releases, and we also had a chance to chat with familiar faces, owners Aleta and Bill. The tasting room was abuzz with activity, and we were anxious to join the fray at the tasting bar!

We began with the whites and started with the 2005 Barrel Select Chardonnay. This limited production wine is aged in French oak for nine months, and Warren noted a characteristic buttery feel that lingered. Next up was the medal-winning 2004 Viognier which exhibited bright fruit and mineral qualities. The 2005 Sunset caught our attention; this sipper reminded us that spring is on the way, and summer concerts at Wolftrap are around the corner. Grab a bottle of this one! Perfect with picnic fare on a warm afternoon, the tropical fruit flavors with marry well with a number of dishes that range from light fare to spicier dishes. Not to be outdone in the versatile category is the 2005 Moonrise, a rose style wine that finishes dry.

We moved on to the red, and the 2005 Cabernet Franc was the standout. Bright rapsberry flavors with a bit of spice grabbed our attention. We placed a star on the tasting sheet next to this one, and we moved on to the newest release, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. A bigger-bodied red, this Cabernet Sauvignon exhibited dark fruit flavors with softer tannins.

After our wine tasting and some chatting with Aleta, we decided to share a glass of the 2005 Cabernet Franc on the deck. (This is a great place to do some bird watching, too!) As we compared tasting notes, Warren decided that the Sunset needed a place on the wine rack at home; Paul, the Cabernet Franc and the Moonrise. We’ll certainly return to Gadino Cellars, and when you visit Gadino, tell Aleta and Bill that Virginia Wine Time sent you!