Back To The Virginia Wine Showcase
Last weekend we went to the Virginia Wine Showcase held at the Dulles Expo Center. There were many wineries in attendance and we visited many of them. We tried to focus on those we had not visited before or were too far away to travel to in a weekend.
We were able to visit and taste the current wines from:
Davis Valley Winery
Tomahawk Mill Vineyard and Winery
Delfosse Vineyard and Winery
Vino Curioso
White Fences Vineyard and Winery
Valhalla Vineyards
Rebec Vineyards
Williamsburg Winery
Bright Meadows Farm
Lake Anna Winery
New Kent Winery
Writing about each booth experience would make this post too long so we'll just point out a few things we wrote down in our notes.
At the Valhalla booth we were able to do a reserve tasting. They had a separate area set up just for the reserve tasting. We walked up to the booth and saw our friend Susan. She was already tasting the reserve wines. We joined her and thoroughly enjoyed the wines Valhalla had on their reserve list for the day. It's always fun to run into an old friend and enjoy some wine and conversation.
We tasted wines at the Vino Curioso and noticed a basket full of M&Ms, Skittles, lollipops, and goldfish crackers. We talked with one of the owners, Mike Matthews. We asked what this was about and he explained that they feel wines should be paired with fun things to eat as well as nice meals. Of course we spent a little time enjoying the wines with the pairings. It certainly made the tasting more fun.
One of the last booths we visited was New Kent Winery. We had heard of them before but have not had the chance to visit. We talked with Pete Johns about the concept and their wines. We heard previously that Tom Payette was working on a White Norton. We were pleased that we could taste this wine. The New Kent website describes the White Norton as follows and we couldn't agree more. This is one that shouldn't be missed.
"This unique Virginia rose wine was gently handled in a proprietary fashion unlike any other Virginia winery has done. Cool fermentation in stainless steel and blending finesse has made this light Virginia rose wine extraordinarily complex and sought after."
The Virginia Wine Showcase always gives us the chance to taste wines we wouldn't normally get to taste. Remember this the next time you are looking to sample many of Virginia's finest wines.
Here are some pictures from the day.
We were able to visit and taste the current wines from:
Davis Valley Winery
Tomahawk Mill Vineyard and Winery
Delfosse Vineyard and Winery
Vino Curioso
White Fences Vineyard and Winery
Valhalla Vineyards
Rebec Vineyards
Williamsburg Winery
Bright Meadows Farm
Lake Anna Winery
New Kent Winery
Writing about each booth experience would make this post too long so we'll just point out a few things we wrote down in our notes.
At the Valhalla booth we were able to do a reserve tasting. They had a separate area set up just for the reserve tasting. We walked up to the booth and saw our friend Susan. She was already tasting the reserve wines. We joined her and thoroughly enjoyed the wines Valhalla had on their reserve list for the day. It's always fun to run into an old friend and enjoy some wine and conversation.
We tasted wines at the Vino Curioso and noticed a basket full of M&Ms, Skittles, lollipops, and goldfish crackers. We talked with one of the owners, Mike Matthews. We asked what this was about and he explained that they feel wines should be paired with fun things to eat as well as nice meals. Of course we spent a little time enjoying the wines with the pairings. It certainly made the tasting more fun.
One of the last booths we visited was New Kent Winery. We had heard of them before but have not had the chance to visit. We talked with Pete Johns about the concept and their wines. We heard previously that Tom Payette was working on a White Norton. We were pleased that we could taste this wine. The New Kent website describes the White Norton as follows and we couldn't agree more. This is one that shouldn't be missed.
"This unique Virginia rose wine was gently handled in a proprietary fashion unlike any other Virginia winery has done. Cool fermentation in stainless steel and blending finesse has made this light Virginia rose wine extraordinarily complex and sought after."
The Virginia Wine Showcase always gives us the chance to taste wines we wouldn't normally get to taste. Remember this the next time you are looking to sample many of Virginia's finest wines.
Here are some pictures from the day.
Summer Fun at Tarara Winery
Gas prices got you rethinking about that road trip to the Grand Canyon? If so, consider vacation ideas closer to home. Of course, we recommend visits to Virginia wineries. They’re close to home and offer great wines with great views, and most Virginia wineries are located along historic routes and landmarks. Some wineries offer summer events; for example, Tarara winery will kick off its summer concert series this weekend. In fact, we make it a point to catch at least one concert every summer!
An extra incentive is the award-winning wines that are offered for tasting and sale at the summer concerts. Concert goers in search of a versatile pour may want to consider the dry 2007 Rose or the sweeter blush-style 2006 Cameo. White wine drinkers looking for a more complex sipper might appreciate the 2007 Viognier; however, sweet wine sippers like my friend and guest blogger Michael Tyler opt for the 2006 Charval. Picnickers who bring along steak salads or grilled meats may want to splurge on the 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon or Tarara’s heralded 2005 Meritage. Bringing along a bigger group of friends with varied preferences and palates? Sounds like an opportunity to sample lots of different foods and wines while bopping to the beat!
The Tarara Winery concert series begins this Saturday, July 12 and continues through September 27. First up on Saturday is the Third Stream Giants.
So don’t stay home this summer---pack a picnic and enjoy music and wine at Tarara Winery, and be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!
An extra incentive is the award-winning wines that are offered for tasting and sale at the summer concerts. Concert goers in search of a versatile pour may want to consider the dry 2007 Rose or the sweeter blush-style 2006 Cameo. White wine drinkers looking for a more complex sipper might appreciate the 2007 Viognier; however, sweet wine sippers like my friend and guest blogger Michael Tyler opt for the 2006 Charval. Picnickers who bring along steak salads or grilled meats may want to splurge on the 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon or Tarara’s heralded 2005 Meritage. Bringing along a bigger group of friends with varied preferences and palates? Sounds like an opportunity to sample lots of different foods and wines while bopping to the beat!
The Tarara Winery concert series begins this Saturday, July 12 and continues through September 27. First up on Saturday is the Third Stream Giants.
So don’t stay home this summer---pack a picnic and enjoy music and wine at Tarara Winery, and be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!
Dream Vacation and Virginia Wine
Dreaming of that romantic cruise in the Mediterranean Sea? Cruise Holidays may be able to turn your dreams into reality. Bob Miller of Cruise Holidays is currently planning Mediterranean wine cruises and this as a result of a partnership with Chris Pearmund, winemaker of Pearmund Cellars and Winery at LaGrange.
Click here to visit the page about the wine cruise.
Click here to visit the page about the wine cruise.
Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival
Fine Virginia Wines, Live Entertainment, Fun Weekend Trip
What:
The Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival features some of the finest wines from Virginia wineries: Chatham Vineyards, Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery, Ingleside Vineyards, Cooper Vineyards, Oak Crest Vineyard & Winery, Belle Mount Vineyards, Vault Field Vineyards, Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery and White Fences Vineyard & Winery. For more information go to http://www.chesapeakebaywinefestival.com/ or call 804-438-5559.
Highlights:
•Free Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival wine glass
•Free wine tastings from all wineries
•Live music by one of Tidewater’s favorites: Mary & The Janes
•Free Vineyard Tours
•Gift shop featuring gourmet foods, handbags, wine accessories, vinotherapy and more.
When/Where:
Saturday, June 7, 2008 (come rain or shine)
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
White Fences Vineyard
Irvington, Va. On the Northern Neck at the headwaters of Carter’s Creek near the confluence of the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers. About three hours from Washington, D.C., one hour, 15 minutes from Richmond, Va., and one hour, 30 minutes from Norfolk, Va.
http://www.whitefencesvineyard.com/directions.asp
Ticket Prices:
$20 per person; Designated Drivers admitted free of charge
Partial proceeds to benefit The Northern Neck Family YMCA Bright Beginnings Program
Contact:
Diana Naidoo,
The Hodges Partnership,
804.788.1414
dnaidoo@hodgespart.com
What:
The Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival features some of the finest wines from Virginia wineries: Chatham Vineyards, Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery, Ingleside Vineyards, Cooper Vineyards, Oak Crest Vineyard & Winery, Belle Mount Vineyards, Vault Field Vineyards, Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery and White Fences Vineyard & Winery. For more information go to http://www.chesapeakebaywinefestival.com/ or call 804-438-5559.
Highlights:
•Free Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival wine glass
•Free wine tastings from all wineries
•Live music by one of Tidewater’s favorites: Mary & The Janes
•Free Vineyard Tours
•Gift shop featuring gourmet foods, handbags, wine accessories, vinotherapy and more.
When/Where:
Saturday, June 7, 2008 (come rain or shine)
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
White Fences Vineyard
Irvington, Va. On the Northern Neck at the headwaters of Carter’s Creek near the confluence of the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers. About three hours from Washington, D.C., one hour, 15 minutes from Richmond, Va., and one hour, 30 minutes from Norfolk, Va.
http://www.whitefencesvineyard.com/directions.asp
Ticket Prices:
$20 per person; Designated Drivers admitted free of charge
Partial proceeds to benefit The Northern Neck Family YMCA Bright Beginnings Program
Contact:
Diana Naidoo,
The Hodges Partnership,
804.788.1414
dnaidoo@hodgespart.com
