Virginia Wine News
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
Virginia Wine Served at the White House for 2010 Governor's Ball
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It was a gala bipartisan affair on Sunday evening when President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the 2010 Governor's Ball at the White House, the first large White House dinner of 2010. The National Association of Governors is in Washington for their annual winter meeting, and the White House traditionally hosts a Governors Ball for the group. In addition to the state leaders, Cabinet Secretaries Tim Geithner and Ken Salazar were in attendance, as was Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (the White House provided no guest list). The dinner menu was traditional, old-school American, with some post-modern Obama embroideries...
The Miracle Merchant The Miracle Merchant — Feb 22, 2010
VINES & WINES: Virginia’s Cabernet Francs
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The reputation of Virginia's Cabernet Francs is on the line. In state vineyards, Cab Franc seems ubiquitous. Numbers back that up; it is the state's most harvested red grape. Wine from these grapes, for the most part, is some of the best produced by state vintners...
VINES & WINES/Jack Berninger The Richmond Times Dispatch — Feb 14, 2010
Winepress: Virginia vs. California Wines: Closing the Gap
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A couple of years ago, I was talking with a friend from California about wine, extolling on the quality wines my husband and I were finding in Virginia. She flinched, scrunched up her nose as if she'd smelled something bad, and emitted the sentence I typically hear when bringing up Virginia wines: "Ewww. I think Virginia wine is terrible."
A few weeks later, I invited her to dinner and poured a rich, robust Bordeaux-style Virginian wine from Linden Vineyards. Of course, I didn't tell her where it came from.
She took a sip and began raving. "This is fabulous. What is it?" When I told her it was a Virginia wine, she nearly fell on the floor...
Debra Gordon Daily Press — Feb 02, 2010
In Vino Veritas: Area Wine Is In Seriously Good Health
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I first visited Monticello in 2001. There I was, a Jersey boy, soaking in a jewel of the commonwealth, welling up with patriotism as a guide told the story of Thomas Jefferson's last words, "Is it the Fourth?" before he died on Independence Day. Combine this Jeffersonia with stunning vistas, my affection for regional delicacies, and the date (July 3), and you've got a red-hot customer for Virginia souvenirs...
Jason Tesauro The Free Lance-Star — Nov 29, 2009
Drinking local at the White House dinner
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It wasn't just local foods that were celebrated last night at President Obama's first state dinner. The menu also featured a Virginia wine. The president, his guest of honor, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and invited members of D.C.'s elite washed down pumpkin pie tart and pear tatin with Thibaut-Janisson blanc de chardonnay, from the Monticello district near Charlottesville...
Dave McIntyre The Washington Post — Nov 25, 2009