Virginia Wine News
2010 State Fair of Virginia Wine Competition
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Attached is a list of 2010 State Fair of Virginia Wine Competition winners.
Jennifer Ross State Fair of Virginia — Jul 22, 2010
Enticing Virginia Viogniers
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14 new reviews show the Old Dominion’s vintners are having success with the white Rhône grape and providing value as well....
James Molesworth Wine Spectator — Jul 02, 2010
Ceremonial Signing of SB237/HB588 (Wine Promotion Fund)
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This Saturday's bill signing by Governor McDonnell will be the capstone to what has already been an incredible year for the Virginia wine industry, both in terms of business and state support. As promised in his campaign and in visits to wineries and farms across the Commonwealth, the Governor has made the promotion of Virginia wine a signature piece of his Jobs & Opportunities agenda. It has also been my pleasure to support this industry from my first days as VDACS Commissioner and, now, as Secretary...
Secretary Todd P. Haymore The Governor's Office — Jun 16, 2010
DrinkLocalWine.com 2010 Conference
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This week, the Park Hyatt Hotel chain announced that it would bring its annual Masters of Food and Wine event to Washington this June 17-20. Chef Brian McBride of Blue Duck Tavern in the Park Hyatt in the West End will welcome chefs, sommeliers and winemakers from around the country for a weekend of food and wine that will “focus on the commitment to local farmers and to supporting sustainable agriculture,” according to a company press release. They will visit the Dupont Circle FreshFarm Market and Virginia's “esteemed” Chapel Hill Farm in Berryville, which raises an heirloom variety of veal from the Randall Lineback breed...
Dave McIntyre The Washington Post — Apr 29, 2010
Chesapeake Wining & Dining
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When you envision Chesapeake Bay and food, what comes to mind? Oysters, rockfish (striped bass) and crabs. It’s true: the quintessential Chesapeake meal is a bushel of steamed crabs, with diners seated at picnic tables covered with brown paper, their fingers stained with the pungent paprika-based spice mix called Old Bay, surrounded by piles of empty crab shells, pitchers of beer and rolls of paper towels. The Chesapeake Bay region is so much more than the bay itself. That regional bounty includes wine. Virginia now boasts 157 wineries. Winemakers like to compare the climate here to Bordeaux, with humidity and the potential for rain at harvest making each vintage an adventure. As a result, the wines tend toward an Old World balance that emphasizes acidity and freshness rather than big, bold California-style ripeness. While Virginia has a reputation for Viognier and Cabernet Franc, Albariño and Petit Manseng are strong challengers for pride of place among whites, while wildly perfumed Petit Verdot is increasingly popular among reds. Maryland’s crisp white wines from Seyval Blanc, a French-American hybrid that resembles Sauvignon Blanc, seem to be created for oysters.
Dave McIntyre Wine Enthusiast Magazine — Apr 15, 2010
Downshifting in Virginia
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One of Jefferson's many passions was wine. He struggled to bring to the Piedmont plateau the style of viticulture he had seen in Europe as U.S. minister to France. Virginia isn't ideal winemaking country—it lacks the hot days and cool nights that distinguish California, and summer humidity can be a serious problem. But a thriving regional wine industry has emerged in the past few decades in the commonwealth, centered around Barboursville Vineyards...
Matthew DeBord Ralph Lauren Magazine — Mar 29, 2010
The Williamsburg Winery Launches 2007 Adagio at Patsy's in NYC
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VIDEO: The Williamsburg Winery introduces their flagship wine, Adagio, to the wine world. Amongst a gathering of 100+ guests, the winery launched their new wine at the iconic Patsy's Restaurant on West 56th Street where Frank Sinatra dined most often. Renown sommelier Kevin Zraly from Windows on the World Wine School discusses Adagio...
Williamsburg Winery Williamsburg Winery — Mar 25, 2010
Wine: This Year's Virginia Expo Turns Up Some Surprises
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Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell presented the 2010 Governor's Cup on Friday to King Family Vineyards of Crozet, near Charlottesville, for its 2007 Meritage. The ceremony at the Virginia Wine Expo in Richmond was an annual rite of celebration of Virginia's rapidly growing wine industry.
The King Family Meritage (rhymes with "heritage") triumphed over more than 200 other entries from 61 wineries. A total of 126 medals were awarded in judging that took place Jan. 23 at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg. The 15 gold-medal winners were in contention for the cup. (Only red wines were included in this contest; the state's whites will be judged in the fall.)
Dave McIntyre The Washington Post — Mar 03, 2010
Buy the Bottle
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I happen to be a white wine drinker,” Gov. Bob McDonnell reveals, just before awarding the state’s top prize for a wine that is red. (The white ones get their winner during wine month in October.) McDonnell tells a small crowd of mostly industry and media reps at the Virginia Governor’s Cup Grand Tasting on Feb. 26 that in his first 40 days in office, “so far I’ve had four blizzards and four billion dollars in debt,” so a chance to drink anything seems to be a good distraction. Rows of gleaming stemware are at the ready for the night and the kickoff to the Virginia Wine Expo weekend, and the Richmond Convention Center is awash with grapes fermenting and fomenting.
Deveron Timberlake Style Magazine — Mar 02, 2010
Virginia Wine Week to Offer Love By the Glass – March 22-28
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Richmond, Va. (March 1, 2010) The Virginia Wine Marketing Office and the Virginia Tourism Corporation today announced Love By the Glass, the first-ever Virginia Wine Week. Wine lovers will celebrate Virginia Wine Week March 22-28, 2010 at more than 100 participating restaurants and wine shops across the state.
Virginia Wine Week promotes restaurants and wine shops who offer Virginia wine for sale by the glass. From March 22 to March 28, participating businesses will add at least two Virginia wines for sale by the glass to their menus and merchandise. Look for Virginia Wine Week posters, menus and decals or visit www.VirginiaWine.org to find participating businesses.
The Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office & VTC The Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office & VTC — Mar 01, 2010