October is Virginia Wine Month, and what better way to celebrate than visiting Virginia wineries? In this post, I capture my recent experiences at five wineries located in northern Virginia.
Order Soma 350Mg Online https://www.munshinegroup.com/spring-cleaning/ 50 West: I have not been to 50 West since both it and Sunset Hills were purchased by Chris and Katie Key in 2022. Readers may know these wineries were previously owned by Mike and Diane Canney. I was therefore eager to taste the latest releases at 50 West produced by winemaker Jason Burrus. Of the white wines, the 2024 Vidal Blanc was delightful with enticing floral notes and flavors of fresh apple and pear. It was also crisp with a refreshing acidity. The 2024 Rose of Cabernet Franc was another pleasure to experience with its bright red berry profile and acidity. I admit to crossing my fingers that I would be able to taste the Governor’s Gold Case winner, the 2021 Aldie Heights Curvee, and yes, I was given a sample. It lived up to its award-winning reputation. This powerful blend of Tannat (47%), Petit Verdot (44%), Merlot (7%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (2%) displayed the depth and boldness one would expect from an exceptional growing season. Dark fruit prevailed on the nose with accents of tobacco, graphite, and cedar. It presented a youthful palate of blackberry, black currant, and dark cherry flavors which intensified with some swirling. It finished with a “chew” indicative of youthful tannins. Enjoy now but decant if you are not patient enough to age this one, and purchase another bottle to cellar. I was also treated to a sample of 2021 Rome-Key Roots, a Governor’s Gold medal winner, and this was another powerhouse red blend comprised of Petit Verdot (47%), Merlot (39%), Tannat (9%), Cabernet Sauvignon (2%), and Cabernet Franc (1%). The Merlot makes for a juicier splash on the palate with intense plum and currant flavors. I noted a rounder palate to boot. Like its sibling, the Cuvee, Roots is still quite young but can be appreciated now or later. (Chris Key is from northern Virginia, and the name Roots is an homage to his Virginia roots as well as the joint venture he and wife Katie enjoy together.)
Tramadol Online Purchase https://interestingpsychology.com/terms-and-conditions/ Breaux Vineyards: I always look forward to a tasting at Breaux, especially when conducted by wine educator extraordinaire, Silvia Miller. It was Silvia who signed Paul up for a club membership at Breaux in 2006, and it was due to Silvia’s comparison of Seyval Blanc to Sauvignon Blanc. At the time, she dubbed Seyval Blanc, “Virginia’s version of Sauvignon Blanc.” Paul always recalled this quotable quote whenever we enjoyed a bottle of Breaux’s Seyval Blanc better known as Jolie Blond, and Silvia treated me to a comparison between Breaux’s 2024 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2022 Jolie Blond. Both shared a citrusy profile with the Sauvignon Blanc leaving a brighter impression on the palate while the Jolie Blond presented a broader feel akin to a Pinot Grigio. I enjoyed the comparison as it harkened fond memories of a time long ago. Red wines were heralded at my tasting experience here, and the 2021 Barbera, which included Merlot (15%) and Petit Verdot (10%) led the way with its whiff of violet and notes of pomegranate and wet stone. Lush blackberry flavors and a vibrant finish on the palate suggest a versatile wine to be enjoyed on its own or with comfort food. A surprise was the 2020 Malbec, a silver medal winner at the 2023 Virginia Governor Cup. It’s rare for Virginia wineries to grow Malbec much less produce a bottling of it, but this one was quite good. Dark fruit aromas melded with hints of nutmeg and black tea on the nose while plum flavors and velvety tannins awaited the palate. Elegant yet approachable—a winning combination. Silvia then offered me a vertical tasting of the 2019 Nebbiolo and 2020 Nebbiolo. Nebbiolo has been a flagship grape variety at Breaux Vineyards for many years now, and these two vintages explain why that is the case. Both vintages offered trademark violet and raspberry aromatics. However, the 2019, a product of a hot, dry growing season, showcased a more layered complexity with waves of raspberry, licorice and crushed forest floor. It still held firmly onto its acidity, so it can nap on the wine rack for a while longer. The 2020 vintage was produced from a normal Virginia growing season—average rainfall and normal temperatures. The result was an approachable Nebbiolo with riper raspberry notes along with a succulent raspberry splash on the palate, and a tart, lingering finish. Not to be outdone by all of the red wines was the 2023 Saignee, made by draining juice from red wine grapes during fermentation. The deeper color reminded me of a Spanish rosato. Made from Merlot (44%), Malbec (27%), Petit Verdot (17%), and Nebbiolo (12%), this rose was very rich yet energetic. It displayed bright red berry notes and a touch of spice to suggest a fun wine that could be taken seriously at the dinner table, especially Thanksgiving. I opted to enjoy a glass of this one with a block of cheese and salami for lunch after my tasting.
https://seventhplanehealings.com/index.php/vibrational-astrology/ https://prsaboston.org/careers/ Cana Vineyards and Winery: It’s always a pleasure to taste through winemaker Melanie Natoli’s lineup of wines at Cana. Alison, my wine educator, skillfully led my tasting, and she began with 2023 Albarino Reserve. Extended lees aging created a textured, rounder wine with floral aromas and a bright palate of white peach. Albarino is another grape that was not on the radar for Virginia vineyards twenty years ago, but that is no longer the case. Here was an example of what Albarino can do from the right vineyard site and a skillful winemaker. Melanie Natoli’s passion for rose is well known to Cana fans, and the 2023 Rose of Cabernet Franc was a joy to taste. A floral nose and cherry aromas led to red cherry flavors. Aging in French oak barrels and Acacia puncheons provide a creamier feel and a hint of black pepper in the mouth. The fruit lingers, so enjoy on its own or pair with food—another rose option for Thanksgiving dinner. The 2019 Le Mariage began the red wine tasting, and I remembered I had one bottle of this vintage on my wine rack. It was awarded a gold medal at the 2022 Governor’s Cup competition and earned a place in the Governor’s case. A complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it presented elements of dark cherry, plum, baking spices and cedar. Tannins have mellowed with age but still able to frame the wine. My personal favorite was the 2021 Unite Reserve, a bold red blend including Petit Verdot (66%), Cabernet Franc (17%), and Merlot (17%). Dark seed berries and black plum notes were accented by a trace of violet and oak nuances. It gave a rounder palate with accessible tannins. As I swirled and sipped, Alison updated me on the ongoing developments at Cana. Although Viognier is gone from the vineyard, more plantings of Merlot and Petit Manseng have taken the place of these vines. Readers may also be excited to know that a bottling of Gruner Veltliner will be available in 2026.
https://www.mytravelstudio.com/tips-for-a-rainy-holiday/ https://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/bohemian-mirrors/ Domaine Fortier Vineyards: This was my first visit to this boutique winery, and I was truly impressed. Wines here are currently tasted outdoors under a tent, and wines can be enjoyed at tables under the tent or in a small glass house. Ground breaking for a tasting room will occur next year. The property, located in Catoctin Valley between Short Hill and Furnace Mountain was purchased by winemaker Stephen Fortier in 2018, and ten acres of it was planted mostly in vitis vinifera varietals. The 2023 growing season marked the first harvest of estate grown grapes; in the meantime, the winery had been purchasing fruit from Loudoun County growers. Wines were then crafted at Walsh Family Wine under the guidance of winemaker Nate Walsh. Stephen Fortier now heads the efforts in both the vineyard and the winemaking. The winery opened its tent to customers in June, 2024.
Buy Tramadol 100 Mg Online I’m a cheerleader for Chardonnay, and I was a fan of the 2020 Chardonnay with its notes of pineapple and citrus. Seven months of oak aging provided depth and body. It presented a fresh yet fuller palate. I’ve also warmed up to Petit Manseng, and the 2021 release from Domaine Fortier provided heady tropical fruit aromas and flavors with a honeyed finish. Its golden color signaled its richness, and it’s dry to boot! Of the red wines, I favored the easy-drinking 2020 Le Pivot, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Aromas of raspberry, blackberry, licorice and violet greeted the nose along with a playful, juicy entry in the mouth. This blend is medium bodied and a versatile wine to have on the wine rack. The 2021 Petit Verdot proved to be a bolder offering with elements of dark plum, crushed herbs, and cedar. Tannins lingered a bit too. This is another wine to either buy to drink now or cellar for enjoyment later. Or purchase two bottles, one for each purpose.
Buy Zanaflex Online Without Prescription Paradise Springs: It had been at least three years since I sample winemaker Rob Cox’s wines at Paradise Springs. I’m not sure why, but I was glad to return. My tasting here began with the refreshing 2022 Apres Rose, a brut style sparkling wine. Sparkling wine is always a nice way to start a tasting—it cleanses the palate in a festive way! Of course, the 2022 Reserve Chardonnay caught my attention (yay for Chardonnay!) Nice apple and pear notes gave way to a fuller feel on the palate accompanied by a kiss of oak provided by time in oak barrels, 50% new and 50% neutral. Red wines in Virginia produced from the 2021 growing season have been powerful, and the 2021 Petit Verdot continued evidence of this trend. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, dark cherry and dark currants were experienced on the nose and palate. I noted a lengthy finish too. 2019 was a growing season similar to 2021, and the 2021 Moment met the moment (ha ha). This complex blend included Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Tannat. Swirling coaxed darker fruit, violet and cedar aromas. Tannins were surprisingly velvety. If readers have a bottle or two of this one at home, it can still rest easy for a bit longer. The 2023 Cabernet Franc from the Brown Bear Vineyard located in the Shenandoah Valley AVA won the honor of being included in the Governor’s Gold Medal Case; however, it was only available for purchase. And that is what I did—I look forward to enjoying it at home.
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So how have you been enjoying Virginia Wine Month? Which Virginia wine and/or wineries have you enjoyed this month? Please let me know. Consider visiting the wineries mentioned in this post if you haven’t done so already. Of course, mention Virginia Wine Time sent you.