Earlier in the summer, we decided to turn a casual dinner with four other friends into a vertical tasting of Cabernet Francs from Corcoran Vineyards. The labels still bore the Waterford moniker, but Waterford has since changed its name and is now Corcoran Vineyards. We sampled Corcoran’s Cabernet Franc from three vintages: 2002, 2003, and 2005. As we swirled, sniffed, and sipped, Warren noted comments from the group and then took a poll to rate the best of the three vintages. Which year won over our taste buds? Read on to find out the results!

We first sampled the 2002. Comments noted included: leathery, pepper, black berry, smooth, velvet. Here was a wine that had obviously benefited from aging. As we sipped away, this Cabernet Franc seemed to complement snacks on the table that included spicy summer sausage, manchego cheese, and a flavorful taleggio cheese. This one earned rave reviews for its elegance and complexity.

The 2005 was last on our list, and this one earned immediate rave reviews. “Rich garnet” was one comment on the color, and we promised to quote one panelist, Debbie, on her assessment of the 2005 Cabernet Franc. Her comment? Party in the mouth! Our panel unanimously observed a more fruit forward wine that was easily accessible. “Cherry” was the leading fruit descriptor, and three tasters noted a longer finish.

We know that we will want to return to Corcoran Vineyards to sample their latest releases, including the Cabernet Franc. However, readers will want to visit soon—be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

This past weekend, we were able to wish Gray Ghost Vineyards a Happy 13th Birthday by attending their anniversary event. Period actors from the Civil War era that included Colonel Mosby provided a sense of history to the event, and a jazz ensemble, its pieces periodically accompanied by cannon fire, filled the air with Dixieland rhythms. On a very warm afternoon, we were able to sample new releases and limited production wines.

As we tasted beneath an outdoor tent, we were also able to catch up with winemaker Al Kellert who shared with us that the very hot summer conditions have been very beneficial to the vineyards. Indeed, we were surrounded by healthy vines already dripping with lovely fruit. Now as we sampled and chatted, Paul was very anxious to sample the 2006 Merlot; of course, he had to be patient as we tasted through the whites. We already knew that our lunch wine would have to be a white wine as we brought along spicy fried white fish, sliced melon, and white cheeses for lunch. We also concluded that the warmer temperatures demanded a refreshing white wine to boot. With these elements in mind, our gold star went to the Victorian White, a stainless steel fermented Chardonnay that is semi-dry and very versatile. We noted a fruity nose with lemony flavors and a pleasant finish that had summer written all over it! Warren serves the Victorian White as an appertif, and it is always a crowd pleaser. With Fall on the way, do also sample the spicy and Holidays-friendly 2006Gewurztraminer as it will be selling out soon.

Time seemed to pass quickly as we enjoyed our lunch with the Victorian White as our companion. We wondered how the period re-enactors managed to look so comfortable in their layers of clothing in the summer heat! The cool jazz sounds seemed to bring the temperatures down a few degrees as we sipped and savored amidst the vines at Gray Ghost Vineyards. We plan to return to Gray Ghost Vineyards soon, but we know that readers will visit even sooner—be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

We have attended many of the events at Gray Ghost Vineyards in the past and were looking forward to the Garden Party event. On May 5th we had the chance to attend the their Garden Party to celebrate the highly awarded 2006 Gewurztraminer.

Gray Ghost does such a wonderful job of setting the stage for great events. The garden party was no exception. Beneath outdoor tents were tables alight with candleabrum to set a romantic yet springtime mood. A jazz ensemble serenaded diners. As we mingled with other guests, we were able to sample all Gray Ghost wines at the open bar and nibble on artisanal cheeses. Of course, we took advantage of the open bar and sampled new releases that included the 2006 Seyval Blanc and the 2006 Vidal Blanc. In the process, we met other wine enthusiasts who enjoy cool jazz, fine wine, and delightful cuisine.

You must visit Gray Ghost Vineyards. They produce some of the best wines in Virginia. If you find yourself at Gray Ghost, please tell them you read about them on Virginia Wine Time.

According to the calendar, spring has sprung; however, this past weekend challenged this wisdom. It was rainy and very cool with sweaters and umbrellas very much the fashion order of the day. However, Chrysalis Vineyards‘ Smooth Jazz Festival warmed things up a bit with music, food and wine. We attended this event and experienced newer releases, grilled fare, and hot jazz!

As we darted through a steady rain to reach the tasting room from the parking lot, we could hear the Matthew Grason band and its urban jazz/rhythm and blues selections. We were greeted by Chef Hump Astorga who had remembered us from a previous visit with Jennifer McCloud. Hump invited us to visit the tasting table before indulging in lunch, and we took his advice. The outdoor tasting tables offered nine wines to sample including the newly released 2005 Chardonnay Reserve. Also on the list was the highly acclaimed 2005 Viognier as well as the popular 2006 Sarah’s Patio Red and the seductive 2003 Norton Locksley Reserve.

After we finished our tasting, we enjoyed roast beef sandwiches prepared from the grill, cheeses with baguette, and a glass of the 2003 Norton Estate. As we settled at a table for lunch, the Matthew Grason band transitioned to a jazz/funk improvisation that had Paul dancing in his seat! The rain continued, but we enjoyed our lunch with the 2003 Norton Estate. Of course, we will return to Chrysalis Vineyards, but we know that our readers will be visiting even sooner—be sure to tell Jennifer McCloud and the helpful staff at Chrysalis Vineyards that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with chocolates and red wine? That’s just what we did this past weekend as we visited Gray Ghost for their annual Cabernet and Chocolates celebration.

Before we made our way to the barrel room for all the chocolates we could possibly stand, we chatted with Amy Payette and Cheryl Kellert and learned that their 2006 Adieu, 2005 Reserve Chardonnay, and 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon were recently awarded medals in a San Francisco wine competition. We congratulated them on a quick start to the medal counts, and with logo glasses in hand made our way to the treats. Warren nabbed one of the few black-stemmed glasses that have been the trademark of Gray Ghost glassware since the winery opened; however, they will be switching to a clear-stemmed glass that still bear the distinctive Gray Ghost logo. We both dashed for the chocolates which included brownies, dark chocolate bars, cakes, and chocolate covered dried fruit. Waiting for us at the wine table was Al Kellert who guided us through samplings of red wines that paired with our chocolate desserts.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all, and when you visit Gray Ghost, tell them that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Virginia Wine Time spent a memorable evening at Chrysalis Vineyards on December 9; we attended the VIP holiday cocktail party, and we were treated to gourmet foods and fine wines. We also met Jennifer McCloud, owner of Chrysalis Vineyards, and she offered to us a very warm greeting and best holiday wishes!

The event itself was held in the barrel room, and a harpist serenaded us with holiday songs. Of course, we are always hungry, and the array of fine foods prepared for the event was amazing! Chef Umberto Astorga presented gourmet fare that included game bird confit, lamb sausage, venison tenderloin, and vanilla cured tuna tartare. Wines poured that evening complimented the menu, and these included the 2005 Viognier, the rose-style Mariposa, the Rubiana, and the 2003 Lockseley Reserve Norton. Warren’s favorite was the 2003 Lockseley Reserve Norton; its intense cherry and raisin flavors along with its full body made it a natural pairing with the venison. Paul enjoyed the Mariposa and sipped this one with lighter cheeses and bread dipped in hummus.

During the course of the evening, we met other VIP members, and we all chatted about Virginia wines and Virginia wineries. At one point Jennifer McCloud offered a heart-felt toast to us all for being patrons of the winery and for attending the event. Time seemed to fly, and before we knew it, the evening had come to a close.

We said our goodbyes, handed out our blog cards, and purchased a few bottles of Chrysalis’ wine. Warren snatched a bottle of the lovely 2005 Albarino; Paul, the 2005 Viognier. We had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with other wine enthusiasts. The benefits of VIP membership at Chrysalis were evident this evening, and we highly suggest that our readers consider joining the club. Of course, be sure to tell the gracious staff at Chrysalis that you read about them on the Virginia Wine Time blog.

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are upon us, but indeed they have arrived! Of course, food and wine are synonymous with holiday cheer, and lots of food, wine, and cheer were found at Gray Ghost Vineyards this past weekend.

With our holiday logo glasses in hand, we joined the holiday festivities in the Gray Ghost barrel room. We were treated to unlimited wine samples and all the food we could manage to eat. Special tasting for given of the Merlot, the Adieu, and the newly-released Reserve Chardonnay. Warren was eager to try the Reserve Chardonnay; in fact, he swiped Paul’s tasting ticket to enjoy a second glass. The Reserve Chardonnay is done in the California style without the heavy oak flavor; its honeyed texture and vanilla/nut finish make it a natural pairing with corn chowder, creamy pasta sauces, and crab cakes. Warren stocked up on the salmon and spinach dip while sipping this one. (In the meantime, Paul wondered what happened to his tasting ticket for the Reserve Chardonnay.)

As we enjoyed food and wine, we marveled at the decorations made from wine corks. Al Kellert, wine maker, creates Christmas trees, a fireplace, reindeer, and large holiday candles from wine corks, and these pieces are the source of Gray Ghost’s annual cork counting contest. Participants must guess how many corks were used to construct one of the chosen pieces, and this year it was the holiday candles. Paul attempted to be scientific about the matter and generated a very educated guess. Warren copied off of Paul’s answer and added a few corks for good measure!

We decided to pay a visit to La Grange Winery, and it happened to be on the weekend before Halloween. Associates dressed like witches, ghouls, and goblins greeted us, and the tasting room decor celebrated autumn and its spectacular colors. Lilia, our tasting associate, guided us through the nine wines being sampled that day, and amidst the Halloween atmosphere, we swirled and sipped away!

We completed our tasting, and Lilia invited us to tour the facility. La Grange Winery is one of the newest wineries in Virginia; owner Chris Pearmund opened La Grange earlier in September after completing an extensive renovation of the historic La Grange manor house and its grounds. One would never have known that the manor house suffered through years of neglect. Our tour of the mansion revealed an incredible restoration of the three-level house with careful attention to historical details. Parlor rooms and their furnishings brought us back to 1790, the date the manor was built. However, we were growing hungrier by the second; so, we purchased a bottle of the 2005 Viognier and made our way to the grounds for a picnic.

So what was for lunch? We brought along Paul’s famous chicken strips; these he coated with herbs, spices and garlic then pan-fried in olive oil. (I think he’s been watching the Food Network!) The chicken strips paired quite nicely with the Viognier. We also enjoyed light cheeses on baguette slices. Of course, we were surrounded by magnificent views of autumn leaves, and the weather was cool and crisp. We also kept an eye on a ghoulish figure stalking the grounds; the Grim Reaper seemed to have haunted the house that day, but I’m sure he was there to enjoy the wines!

If you visit La Grange be sure to tell them you read about them on the Virginia Wine Time blog.