Category: Holidays

Wonderful Wine Weekend

/ Paul / Leave a comment

We had an amazing weekend filled with wineries, winemakers, wine and friends.

We started out in Harrisonburg on Friday visiting Lee Hartman of Bluestone Vineyard. He showed us around Rootstock Wine Bar which is his new wine bar opening up on Friday of this week! We then went to his house and enjoyed learning how to saber sparking wines, tasting some of his latest wines and enjoying a charcuterie spread created by his wife. What a fun evening!

On Saturday we visited Glen Manor Vineyards for their Winter member Event to taste a pre-release of Jeff White’s 2020 Nebbiolo as well as a barrel sample of his 2023 Nebbiolo. We finished the tasting with a taste of his 2020 Petit Manseng. All the wines were very nice! We made sure to buy a few wines before leaving.

On Sunday we went to Linden Vineyards for their Pre-release of 2020 wines tasting and barrel tasting of the 2023 reds. My favorite was Shari’s 2023 merlot barrel sample. I know it will all go into blends but I think it would make a great stand alone wine. The pre-release wines we tasted were the 2020 Avenius Red and the 2020 Hardscrabble Red. Jim told us about the growing season and how the wines were developed and blended. We always learn things while listening to Jim. We had a great time with friends at this tasting.

Our final stop of the weekend was Capstone Vineyards. I had a club pick up and we decided to chat with Theo and do a tasting. Theo surprised us with a taste of the 2015 Merlot! He only had two bottles left and opened one for us to taste! It was amazing! I tried to get him to sell me the last bottle but he wouldn’t. We also met some new wine friends while tasting at Capstone. Richard and Heather were fun to chat with and share our experiences with Virginia wines. It’s always fun to catch up with Theo while tasting.

What a wonderful wine weekend!

Thanksgiving and Virginia Wines

/ Warren / Leave a comment

Congratulations to the Charlottesville area being named wine region of the year in the Wine Enthusiast’s 2023 Wine Star Awards! Check out the article here.

It’s that time of year when we all begin to consider holiday menus; of course, this should include pairings with Virginia wines. In this post, I make wine recommendations from the Monticello AVA for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Before the Big Event: Cheeses, Appetizers including shellfish
(Disclaimer: Some of these wines could also be paired with turkey. Let side dishes guide your selection.)
2021 Afton Mountain Vineyards Albariño
2021 Blenheim Albariño
2021 Southwest Mountains Vineyards Gruner Veltliner
2022 Michael Shaps Sauvignon Blanc
2022 Veritas Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
2022 Barboursville Vineyards Vermentino Reserve (toss in the 2014 for a vertical surprise!)
2022 Keswick Vineyards V2
2022 Pollak Vineyards Durant White
2020 Southwest Mountains Vineyards White Blend

Turkey and Trimmings: (Consider side dishes when making your decision.)
2019 Blenheim Vineyards Chardonnay
2015 Michael Shaps Chardonnay
2021 Pollak Vineyards Chardonnay
2021 Septenary Vineyards Chardonnay
2022 Afton Mountain Vineyards Gewürztraminer
2022 King Family Crose (rosé)
2022 Pollak Vineyards Rosé
2022 Septenary Vineyards Rosé
2022 Michael Shaps Viognier
2022 Pollak Vineyards Viognier
2021 Southwest Mountains Vineyards Viognier
2022 Veritas Vineyards Viognier
2019 Barboursville Vineyards Nascent
2020 Blenheim Vineyards Painted White

Red Wines:
2021 Afton Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc
2021 Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Franc
2021 Southwest Mountains Vineyards Cabernet Franc
2020 Blenheim Vineyards Merlot
2019 Veritas Vineyards Merlot
2016 Septenary Vineyards Manor House (I’d pair this one with leaner beef dish, too.)

Beef, Venison, and other Hearty Meat Dishes:
2020 Barboursville Vineyards Nebbiolo
2019 Southwest Mountains Vineyards Petit Verdot
2019 Barboursville Vineyards Octagon
2020 Blenheim Vineyards Painted Red
2016 Michael Shaps L Scott
2017 Septenary Vineyards Carriage House
2021 Veritas Vineyards Momentarius Red

After Dinner: Bold Cheeses, Roasted/spiced Nuts, Etc.
2021 Southwest Mountains Vineyards Petit Manseng
2017 Septenary Vineyards Tavern Port

Can’t make it to the Monticello AVA by Turkey Day? We will post suggestions from outside of that region. However, if you plan to visit the wineries listed in this article, please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Happy New Year!

/ Warren / Leave a comment

We have not posted in a while, but rest assured that while we have not really been on the Virginia wine trails, we have indeed been enjoying Virginia wines. We always host a NYE party for friends to ring in the new year with lots of food and wine; however, that was not the case this year for obvious reasons. Paul and I did, though, include Virginia wines in this year’s low key event. We paired Blenheim’s 2019 Gruner Veltliner with Asian slaw and mini crab cakes, and we partnered Beef Vidala (filet mignon topped with crab meat) with Glen Manor’s 2015 Hodder Hill. Our wine racks, though, lacked Virginia bubbles; however, Schramsberg bubbly helped to ring in 2021.

We are hopeful that Virginia Wine Time will be posting more often this year. In the meantime, let us know of new wineries to visit—-we are making a list and checking it twice! Do you plan to visit the wineries mentioned in this post? Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Virginia Wines for Thanksgiving

/ Warren / Leave a comment

Thanksgiving approaches earlier this year, and it is time to think about food and wine pairings for Turkey Day. Of course, Virginia Wine Time always recommends Virginia wines. Here are some of our recommendations based on what we found on the wine rack at home:

Floral and Versatile White Wines:
VX2 2017 from Rappahannock Cellars (a blend of Vidal Blanc and Viognier)
Gewurzatraminer 2017 from Gray Ghost Vineyards

These wines present lovely floral aromas and offer the kind of flavor profile to pair with turkey and a variety of the trimmings. We always suggest selecting Thanksgiving wines based on side dishes as those will indicate whether a lighter bodied wine or a fuller-bodied wine is more appropriate. These Virginia gems pair perfectly with herbed dishes, cranberry sauce, cornbread dressing, yams flavored with fall spices——endless possibilities here.

Fuller Bodied White Wines:
Village Chardonnay 2016 from Linden
Patricia Marie 2017 from Casanel Vineyards and Winery (oaked Pinot Gris)

Poultry partnered with creamy sauces, mashed potatoes and gravy, or rich vegetable casseroles may require a wine with more body and a fuller mouth feel. These suggested wines should fit the bill.

 

Rhone to the Rescue:
Viognier 2017 from Breaux Vineyards
Roussanne 2017 from Blenheim Vineyards
Thalia 2016 from Muse Vineyards (blend of white Rhone varietals)

Viognier is a Rhone varietal that has helped to put Virginia’s white wines on the map. It is therefore the state grape. It should also shine very brightly on the Thanksgiving table. Poultry and any number of side dishes such as those recommended above will prove Viognier’s versatility. However, Rousanne is a Rhone sister to consider; for the full Rhone effect, pour the complex Thalia 2016 from Muse Vineyards.

White Wine or Red Wine? Can’t Decide? Go with Rose
Morales Rose 2017 from Glen Manor (Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon)

Rose is the most versatile wine option to consider. It goes with pretty much anything, and that includes traditional Thanksgiving fare.

 

 

Lighter-Bodied Red Wines:
Cabernet Franc 2016 from Slater Run Vineyards
Cinq6 from Delaplane Cellars (blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot)

I am still a fan of Virginia Cabernet Franc, and I seem to trend toward lighter-bodied styles for Thanksgiving dinner. These are not heavily oaked and have proven to be versatile with turkey and traditional trimmings.

 

Fuller-bodied Red Wines:
Heritage 2015 from Keswick Vineyards (blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot)
Octagon 2010 from Barboursville Vineyards (blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot)

So what if your Thanksgiving menu will serve beef instead of turkey? Consider these pairing options. Consider decanting first, even the Octagon 2010 if you happen to have a bottle on the wine rack. The 2010 vintage is highly regarded—-the growing season resembled Napa rather than Virginia. Therefore, I would advise letting it breathe for a while before serving.

Bold!
Petit Verdot 2015 from Linden
Odo 2013 from Grace Estate (blend of Tannat and Petit Verdot)

These suggestions are for the mavericks who opt for gamier meats rather than turkey. Duck confit, leg of lamb, venison, etc. should all respond nicely to these wine options.

 

 

Ciders, Meads, Etc.
Blue Bee Cyser Apple Honey Wine

Another versatile option to serve with traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Offering baked ham instead of turkey? Give this suggestion a try.

Be sure to visit Virginia wineries soon to stock up on your Thanksgiving favorites. Check your local wine shop too as Virginia wines are may be sold there. If not, ask that they do! Wherever you go to purchase your Virginia wines, be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!