Last week we were sent two bottles of wine from Virginia Wine.org. They asked us to taste the wines and share our food pairings. What a great way to start 2020!

The first wine was the 2018 Blenheim Vineyards Albariño. We love the wines from Blenheim so much that I’m a club member! We decided to have this bottle as our evening sipper. We paired it with various crackers and brie and Havarti cheeses. We noted white stone fruit, citrus zest, chamomile, a refreshing palate. Even though we enjoyed this as an evening sipper, we could also see pairing this with a fish dish. If you don’t often find yourself in the Charlottesville area, you can purchase this wine right from their website for $23.

The second bottle of wine was the 2016 Pinot Noir from Ankida Ridge Vineyards. We have been a fan of their pinot noir for years but hadn’t had a chance to taste the 2016. We were looking forward to it! Warren decided to roast a chicken to enjoy with the wine. He also made roasted root vegetables with a sprig of thyme and mashed potatoes. We noted bright seed berries, hint of anise, bright berries on the palate, fruity through the finish…elegant yet paired well with the rustic fair. We became instant fans of this vintage. Again, if you are unable to visit their tasting room, you can purchase this vintage from their website for $44.

A big Thank You to Virginia wine.org for sending us these wonderful wines. You should plan a visit to Blenheim Vineyards or Ankida Ridge Vineyards soon and when you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!