Just got done reading this article about a large tasting of Virginia wines in London, and the rave reviews they got. I was really impressed with the quality and variety of wines I saw at yesterday's wine showcase. I'm also really excited, because Virginia is starting to garner world attention. Which (hopefully) means more vignerons are going to start looking into the Virginia area, and maybe the damned AVA will give us some respect. Or at least we can get more than "But the eastern state that, after New York, offers the most excitement today is unquestionably Virginia, home to more than 100 small, intensely ambitious wineries, with Merlot and the Cabernets being particularly successful." (taken from the World Atlas Of Wine)
I'm just sayin'.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Virginia Wine Showcase
Wow, had a BLAST!!!!
I can't even begin to describe how cool it was. I can only imagine that this is what Napa was like, twenty years ago. Virginia is fifth in wine production in the U.S. and I bet it's going to continue to grow.
We got to taste some awesome wines, and a lot of interesting varietals I'd never heard of before, like "Traminette" and "Chambourcin", which seems to be a favorite for Virginia growers. I'm going to have to do some research, find out why. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend giving it a shot!
There were some awesome wineries, and I believe my visiting schedule is about to drastically fill up!! I got to talk to a few winemakers and owners, and had some really funny conversations.It was cool to get to know them, find out what they're about, like how they feel about things like sulfides, cornichons, the mixing of Skittles and wine, all kinds of random things! There was this awesome little shop selling wine stave furniture. I'm DEFINITELY buying the adorable candle holder, and I wish I had room for the adirondack chairs, they don't look like it, but they were so damn comfy!
We tried a lot of fruit wines, and even a wine made from 30 different kinds of peppers. Omg, it was so fucking hot I thought I was going to explode, I broke out in a sweat! My sinuses were clear!!! We got some cute stickers out of the deal that say I kissed the devil or something cute like that. Obviously we got a bottle! It's now referred to as the "Dare Wine". We also got one called "Chili Dawg", which was 97% apple wine, 3% chili pepper wine, and went GREAT with cheese whiz.
I even got invited to come help with the harvest!! How cool is that ?!?!?!? I get to help pick grapes, get dirty, really experience what it's like!! I can't wait!
Needless to say, we had a blast, our pockets were considerably lighter (like, $300 lighter), and our arms were definitely full of purchases!
Some of my favorite wineries and their links:
I can't even begin to describe how cool it was. I can only imagine that this is what Napa was like, twenty years ago. Virginia is fifth in wine production in the U.S. and I bet it's going to continue to grow.
We got to taste some awesome wines, and a lot of interesting varietals I'd never heard of before, like "Traminette" and "Chambourcin", which seems to be a favorite for Virginia growers. I'm going to have to do some research, find out why. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend giving it a shot!
There were some awesome wineries, and I believe my visiting schedule is about to drastically fill up!! I got to talk to a few winemakers and owners, and had some really funny conversations.It was cool to get to know them, find out what they're about, like how they feel about things like sulfides, cornichons, the mixing of Skittles and wine, all kinds of random things! There was this awesome little shop selling wine stave furniture. I'm DEFINITELY buying the adorable candle holder, and I wish I had room for the adirondack chairs, they don't look like it, but they were so damn comfy!
We tried a lot of fruit wines, and even a wine made from 30 different kinds of peppers. Omg, it was so fucking hot I thought I was going to explode, I broke out in a sweat! My sinuses were clear!!! We got some cute stickers out of the deal that say I kissed the devil or something cute like that. Obviously we got a bottle! It's now referred to as the "Dare Wine". We also got one called "Chili Dawg", which was 97% apple wine, 3% chili pepper wine, and went GREAT with cheese whiz.
I even got invited to come help with the harvest!! How cool is that ?!?!?!? I get to help pick grapes, get dirty, really experience what it's like!! I can't wait!
Needless to say, we had a blast, our pockets were considerably lighter (like, $300 lighter), and our arms were definitely full of purchases!
Some of my favorite wineries and their links:
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Why Is This So Difficult?
Can you name all 5 Grand Crus from north to south?
After having the infamous Court Of Master Sommeliers exam question come up in two different conversations, one almost reverently, the other in more of a disparaging, put-me-in-my-place kind of way, I decided to look up this information once and for all. Without much luck...
Seriously, if this is such a deep and difficult examination question, don't you think someone *somewhere* would have posted the answer?!?!?
I had no no freaking idea, and finding a clear, concise answer online was like searching for a sane person among a PETA rally. Or the one goth kid at an emo concert. Or something else as ridiculously hard.
All I'm saying, is hooray google maps! I'm not sure how accurate this is, because some of the Chateau had less than clear addresses on their websites.
Anyway, in case you're wondering, from north the south:
If you *really* want to get dorky, you can mention that there were only 4 Grand Crus in the original 1855 classification, as Château Mouton Rothschild was reclassified from Second Growth status in 1973...
After having the infamous Court Of Master Sommeliers exam question come up in two different conversations, one almost reverently, the other in more of a disparaging, put-me-in-my-place kind of way, I decided to look up this information once and for all. Without much luck...
Seriously, if this is such a deep and difficult examination question, don't you think someone *somewhere* would have posted the answer?!?!?
I had no no freaking idea, and finding a clear, concise answer online was like searching for a sane person among a PETA rally. Or the one goth kid at an emo concert. Or something else as ridiculously hard.
All I'm saying, is hooray google maps! I'm not sure how accurate this is, because some of the Chateau had less than clear addresses on their websites.
Anyway, in case you're wondering, from north the south:
- Château Mouton Rothschild
- Château Latour
- Château Margaux
- Château Lafite-Rothschild
- Château Haut Brion
If you *really* want to get dorky, you can mention that there were only 4 Grand Crus in the original 1855 classification, as Château Mouton Rothschild was reclassified from Second Growth status in 1973...
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