We’re back!
Our friend, Homer, was in town for a visit this weekend, and we brought him along to sample some Virginia wines. Homer brought along his discerning palate and shared his notes with us to post on the blog.
Our first stop was Corcoran Vineyards, and we were guided through our tasting by owner and wine maker, Lori Corcoran. She made Homer feel at ease with the challenges of wine tasting and before long she had him swirling and sipping like a sommelier. Homer was impressed with wines, and his favorite white wines were the 2007 Viognier and the 2006 Chardonnay. In the end, Homer awarded his gold star to the 2007 Viognier. On the nose, Homer noted floral and strong peachy characteristics. “Peachy” was the adjective Homer stressed when describing its taste, and he also appreciated its smooth, clean finish. I concurred with Homer’s praise for the 2007 Viognier; in fact, more expert palates than ours also concur as Corcoran’s 2007 Viognier won gold in the Virginia State Fair wine competition.
Of the reds, Homer gave a nod to the 2006 Cabernet Franc with its peppery/smoky characteristics. I appreciated the lush berry fruits that hit the mouth. This one should compliment any grilled beef or lamb dish especially if done with spices or rubs. Paul’s own favorite was the 2006 Meritage, and no wonder—its blend includes Merlot! Other partners in the Meritage blend include Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
As we tasted, we were able to catch up with Lori, and she was very excited about the other 2007 vintages that will be released. We’re anxious to sample the 2007 Meritage which will feature Malbec as part of the blend. Lori was also quite pleased with current developments in the vineyards and was optimistic that the 2008 crop will produce more award winning wines.
We concluded our tasting and enjoyed a bottle of the 2007 Viognier with a picnic lunch that included chicken and pasta tossed with fresh herbs and olive oil. (A bottle of the 2006 Cabernet Franc came home for a future beef dinner!) The raindrops held off as we wined, dined, and chatted. Homer informed us that Arizona is beginning to pop with wineries especially in the Sonoita/Patagonia region of the state, and vineyards in this region tend to favor Bordeaux and Rhone varietals Though he has not visited any of the wineries in Arizona, his trip to Virginia wineries may inspire him to do so!
With lunch and tastings concluded, we bid our farewells to Lori. Place Corcoran Vineyards on your list of Virginia wineries to visit, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.