So back on the Loudon County Trail, Tarara Winery offers much to please the palate. We recently found ourselves back on the Loudon County Trail, and Tarara was on our list of wineries to visit. Of course, we were in pursuit of summer wines, and we concluded that Tarara had several releases to fit the bill.

On a very warm summer afternoon, we visited Tarara Winery with lunch relaxing in the cooler. We opted for the full tasting which included the reserve wines (Remember, it’s okay to dump in the bucket when being aggressive at the tasting bar!) Double gold stars went to the 2006 Viognier, a star varietal in Virginia and one that does quite well at Tarara. Aged in stainless steel, the 2006 Viognier presented a floral nose with pear, citrus, and melon flavors in the mouth. Exotic and seductive might describe the 2006 Viognier at Tarara. For those who prefer a zestier wine, the 2006 Pinot Gris would be an option. We tend to remember certain friends on our winery visits, and readers may recall our guest reviewer, Michael Tyler. Warren marked “MT” next to the 2006 Charval, a slightly sweeter offering that is also aged in stainless steel. Michael often trends toward the semi-sweet wines, and the Charval has his name all over it! The ultimate patio sipper, the Charval is a blend of Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, and Vidal Blanc.

Did we ignore the reds? Of course not! Paul’s favorite was the 2004 Merlot, and for the price, it was the bargain of the day. Nice cherry flavors and satiny tanning drive this easy-to-drink wine. Close behind was the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon; slightly bolder, this Cab can be enjoyed with a grilled steak and roasted veggies. However, don’t be afraid to sip a glass of this one while dinner is one the grill. Double stars, however, went to the 2003 Meritage. Dark fruit and tobacco were the notes that we scribbled on the tasting sheet. Very dry with a lengthy finish, drink the 2003 Meritage now but think about the aging potential first.

So what was for lunch? Herbed turkey filets with a honey-mustard sauce, jasmine rice, and a fruit salad. What wine did we select? The 2006 Viognier was our choice, and enjoyed our lunch and wine on Tarara’s deck that overlooks it wooded landscape. We found the shadiest table on the deck to enjoy food, wine and scenery.

So you all know the routine—tasting, then food/wine, then purchases and farewells until next time. We know that we will attend at least one of Tarara’s summer concerts. However, we know that readers will want to visit Tarara soon; so, tell them that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Our focus continues to be refreshing Virginia wines that can soothe in the midst of summer’s warmth. At the end of our visit to Monticello Trail wineries, we visited Horton Cellars and Barboursville Vineyards.

First stop was Horton Cellars. With our agenda in mind, we checked off the wines on Horton’s extensive tasting sheet hat we wanted to try, and away we tasted. Double stars went next to the 2006 Viognier. Paul already knew this one was a winner; he recently poured a bottle with a seafood dinner and raved about this one before we walked into the tasting room. Citrusy aromas and flavors dominate with a texture that is slightly honeyed. Don’t think twice about sipping this one on its own.. Perfect for watching spectacular sunsets with sliced tropical fruit! For those who appreciate a semi-dry white wine, the Stonecastle White may fit the bill. Viognier and Marsanne provide fruit and spice characteristics typical of Rhone varietals. The Stonecastle White offers yet another picnic/summer concert wine option but can be appreciated on its own.

We each purchased a bottle of the 2006 Viognier and then moved on to Barboursville. (Identifying summer quaffs is such a chore, but someone has to do it!) Remember to bring your Barboursville glasses to the tasting room—it waives the tasting fee, and we certainly had our glasses in hand. Paul took charge here since he had an upcoming dinner party and wanted to offer a variety of white wines. His personal faves were the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, the 2006 Chardonnay, and the 2006 Riesling. All three choices can best be described as “clean” with vibrant flavors. Appetizers that feature summer fruits and light cheeses would pair wonderfully with the Riesling, (So would the stainless-steel fermented 2006 Chardonnay for that matter.) Crab cakes or Cuban chicken beg to be partnered with the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc. Don’t forget about the 2006 Rose! Soft finish with lively fruit, this Rose is yet another versatile wine for summer.

Of course, we did not skip the reds, and we will give brief mention of them here since summer cannot last forever. Before long it will be time to think about sweaters, autumn leaves, and heavier meat dishes that require bolder reds. Meat lovers may want to sample Horton’s 2001 Tannat, a Governor’s Cup winner. Intense is the word that comes to mind. Can be appreciated with a huge steak or with a cigar but should be aged for a bit longer. Warren’s gold star went to the complex 2003 Nebbiolo Reserve at Barboursville. Another one for the wine rack, the 2003 Nebbiolo Reserve can only get better with age. In fact, a bottle of the 2003 Nebbiolo Reserve is now aging quite nicely on Warren’s own wine rack.

We hope our readers are enjoying the summer with their favorite Virginia wines. Put Horton Cellars and Barboursville Vineyards on your wineries to visit, and let them know that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

We ended things last time with our visit to Delfosse, however, we mentioned a plan to also visit White Hall Vineyards. And indeed we did. It had been a year since our last visit to White Hall, and we raved about the 2005 Petit Verdot and 2005 Touriga. So what did we discover this time around? Let’s find out!

On this particular day, White Hall offered a vertical tasting of Chardonnays, and these included the 2004, 2005, and 2006 vintages. The tasting sheet was entitled, “Weather Changes Everything”, and indeed it does. The chance to compare Chardonnays over the years was irresistible, and we opted for the vertical tasting, Of course, we began with the earliest available vintage, the 2004 Chardonnay. A rainier 2004 increased the size of the fruit clusters and this led to an earlier ripening of the Chardonnay grapes. The result was a lighter wine with lots of apple flavors. Not a bad pour at all, but the 2004 may not be for those who prefer a fuller-bodied Chardonnay. The 2005 and 2006 Chardonnays were quite similar as both were harvested after a dry, hot summer. The grapes were therefore able to hang on the vine for a longer period of time. Both vintages proved to be crisper with lengthier finishes. Pear and apple prevailed with subtle hints of toasted nuts that suggested some oak tre atment. The obvious difference between the 2005 and 2006 vintages was age—the 2005 had been in the bottle for over a year; the 2006, for two weeks. Both were classic, elegant Chardonnays.

We were also able to sample the Reserve Chardonnays for 2004, 2005, and 2006. These were obviously oaked and fuller-bodied with the creamy, buttery texture associated with a bolder Chardonnay. Warren’s personal favorite was the Chardonnay Reserve, 2005; however, Paul wisely held his gold star for the end of the vertical tasting. He is usually more partial to the stainless steel Chardonnays, and his own favorite was the 2005 Steel Chardonnay. Lemony flavors shined brightly here with a crisp finish. Perfect for sipping while watching a long summer sunset on the deck!

Reds were also tasted, and those who like red wines even in the heat of summer may like the Breakheart Red 2005. Easy to sip or to enjoy with barbeque, we noted Breakheart Red’s bright red fruit characteristics. The deal of the day had to be the Vin Gris 2006. At $10/bottle, this dry rose cannot be beat. In fact, we grabbed a bottle to take home!

Our vertical tasting confirmed what we already knew—weather does indeed influence what happens in the vineyard, and skilled winemakers know how to produce quality wine even when weather conditions are not optimal. Such was the case at White Hall. Our tasting associate was very informative, and we found out that 85% of grapes used at White Hall Vineyards are grown on the estate. This includes 37 acres of planted vines which encompass 16 varietals. The other 15% are purchased from the renowned Mt Juliet Vineyards.

We wound up our tasting and made our purchases just as White Hall was beginning to close up for the day.

We know that we will return to White Hall Vineyards in the future; in the meantime, pay White Hall Vineyards a visit, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!