Author: Paul
The Inn at Meander Plantation
We just spent the last five days staying at The Inn at Meander Plantation. We have stayed here before and have loved it. It’s a wonderful place to stay. We felt this was a central location to visit many of the wineries in the Charlottesville area. We will be sharing more information about the Inn and our stay here in the next edition of the Extra Pour. Stay tuned.
Take note of this:
August 27-28 2010
Wine snobs and wine snob “wannabes” are invited to participate in a fun wine-centric weekend, Aug. 27 and 28, offered by The Inns at Montpelier, a group of nine Central Virginia bed-and-breakfasts. The convenient all-inclusive “Wine Snob Weekend” package features unique Virginia wine tastings, transportation to all events, classes and creative regional fine cuisine. “Wine Snob Weekends” are designed to be paired with two nights at the luxury Inn of your choice.
Wine Snob Weekends start on Friday evening with a reception highlighting several Virginia sparkling wines. After Saturday morning’s Inn gourmet breakfast, the day offers a full range of fun activities and lunch. Relax at your chosen Inn before enjoying wine and discussion with guest Virginia winemakers in the vineyard at the Inn at Meander Plantation and dinner in the Inn’s acclaimed restaurant.
“We are pleased to launch these educational and fun August weekends for our guests, showcasing the Inns at Montpelier and Virginia wines,” says Suzie Blanchard, Inn at Meander Plantation Owner/Chef. “You select one of the nine Inns, make a phone call and reserve accommodations for a very special B&B and add this incredible wine experience package. The Wine Snob Weekend package makes it easy to plan a fun wine-filled weekend and unwind in the beautiful countryside in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
Planned weekend activities include (transportation included):
Friday Evening:
‘Who has the Best Bubbles” ~ Comparison tasting of Virginia sparkling wines with an hors d’oeuvres buffet at Mayhurst Inn.
Saturday:
“Wine 101 Grapes to Glass” ~ General wine knowledge class and discussion led by wine snob, wine instructor and lecturer Warren Dunn at Inn at Westwood Farm.
“Wine Pairings” ~ General discussion on pairings along with Virginia wine and local cheese tasting at Holladay House.
“Picnic and Porch Wine” ~ Al fresco lunch with light summery “porch” wines at Ridgeview Bed and Breakfast.
“Blind Tasting” ~ Imagine tasting Virginia’s finest wines from a paper bag! There will be wine, fun and prizes at Inn at Poplar Hill.
“How to Host a Wine Tasting Party” ~ Learn how-to in your own home with session at Chestnut Hill
Dinner at the Vineyard ~ Pre-dinner wine and conversation in the Inn
at Meander Plantation vineyard, followed by five-course, candlelight wine-paired dinner in the Inn’s dining room.
Sunday:
Pick up Complimentary Winery Tasting Coupons & Touring Guide at Ebenezer House.
Southern tour ~ Sweeley Estate Winery, Barboursville Vineyards, Horton Vineyards and Keswick Vineyards.
Northern tour ~ Sweeley Estate Winery, Prince Michel
Vineyard and Winery, Old House Vineyards, Gray Ghost Vineyards and Pearmund Cellars
Wine Snob Weekend package price is $450. per couple plus your room rate for 2 nights
Call one of the Inns at Montpelier to make your reservation:
Chestnut Hill Bed & Breakfast 888.315.3511 www.chestnuthillbnb.com
Ebenezer House 888.948.3695 www.theebenezerhousebb.com
Holladay House Bed & Breakfast 800.358.4422 www.holladayhousebandb.com
Inn at Meander Plantation 800.385.4936 www.meander.net
Inn at Westwood Farm 888.661.1293 www.innatwestwoodfarm.com
Inn on Poplar Hill 866.767.5274 www.innonpoplarhill.com
Mayhurst Inn 888.672.5597 www.mayhurstinn.com
Ridge View Bed & Breakfast 866.852.4261 www.virginia-ridgeview.com
The Old Mill House 540.948.6287 www.virginiaoldmillhouse.com
Inns at Montpelier are nine luxurious Inns located in Central Virginia’s Orange and Madison County. All are a short drive from many award winning Virginia vineyards and James Madison’s Montpelier. This bucolic Virginia countryside is graced with rolling landscapes and incredible views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. Visit www.innsatmontplier.com
Viognier Epiphany
Back in March of this year we visited Pollak Vineyards. Jake Busching was conducting a barrel tasting the day we were there. Of course we decided to take part in the tasting. We love seeing where wines are in the barrel and how they change when they are bottled and eventually sold. That day we tasted a few wines from the barrels but our big surprise was the 2009 Viognier. It was just bottled and Jake gave us a tasting. At the time I wasn’t sure I liked it. I was so in love with the 2008 Viognier that I didn’t think the 2009 would be able to top it. I still had half a case of the 2008 on my rack at home. After tasting the 2009 right after bottling I decided I wasn’t going to like it. Jake was nice enough to give us a bottle of the 2009 before it went on sale to the public. I was very excited. He told me though not to open it for a few months. He warned us it wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t give it time in the bottle. I didn’t think anything of this at the time though.
Jump ahead a few months to when I opened the 2009 Viognier. Well, I didn’t listen to Jake. I didn’t give it enough time to mature in the bottle. When we opened it, it wasn’t very good. I didn’t like the flavor profile at all. It wasn’t anything like I expected. I was expecting to taste the 2008 all over again. But no. It wasn’t the same. I was disappointed.
Jump ahead a few more months. We went back to Pollak yesterday for a tasting to check out the new wines. The second wine on the tasting menu was the 2009 Viognier. I already had my mind made up that I wasn’t going to like it. I even jumped the gun and put a sad face next it on the menu. Then it was poured into our glasses. I hesitated but then tasted. OMG! It was amazing! It was nothing like I tasted a few months previously! It had very similar characteristics of the 2008. We observed peach and apricot notes with a wonderful floral nose. I was so upset with myself. I instantly erased the sad face and replaced it with a smiley face. I also wrote down a three to show I wanted to bring home three bottles.
I have now learned my lesson. Listen to the winemaker. He knows his wines best. When you visit Pollak Vineyards mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you and listen to Jake.