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Sunday 08/03/08 - Wine Bars

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Taste the Fruits of the Vines of Northern Virginia Wineries

Virginia is known as much for its many products and resources as it is for it rich Colonial heritage and history. As early as the 1600s the commonwealth has been a center of production for many goods and luxuries. Historians tell of our forefathers growing tobacco along the cobbled streets of Jamestown, and for nearly a century Suffolk has been regarded one of the peanut capitals of the world. Cotton, ham, and seafood are also popular exports, as is wine. Few people outside the bacchanalian world realize that Virginia is popular wine country, ranking tenth among US states in grape production!

There are over one hundred active wineries in the commonwealth of Virginia, covering nearly 2500 acres of land, and producing as many as three hundred thousands cases a year. On average, over four thousand tons of grapes are produced annually to make Virginia wine. You'll find nearly every variety of red and white grown in Virginia, from the sweetest Rieslings and tart Chardonnays, to the sharpest Merlots and Cabernets this side of the Mississippi River.

Wine festivals are hosted all over the state, as many as three hundred annually, with many state vineyards taking home national and international awards for their produce. Wine making has been a devoted practice in Virginia since the dawn of the early colonies; it is a tradition well-preserved in the thousands of bottles sold each year to wine enthusiasts. Not only is Virginia the first state to produce US presidents, it is the first to produce wine, and over the centuries the practice has aged as well as the vintages!

In Northern Virginia in particular, one doesn't need to travel "sideways" to enjoy a pleasant winery tour. From Stafford County to the lip of the DC beltway one can over 30 wineries, many of which offer tours and tasting specials. As the majority of Virginia wineries are small, family-owned enterprises, it is strongly recommended to contact ahead of time for operating and tour hours. On occasion, some wineries may schedule events in conjunction with other local businesses?a quick internet search on Virginia wines and the Virginia Wine Association will lead you to a wealth of information to help you plan a fun wine tour. Once you're on the road, look for the road signs bearing a purple cluster of grapes that indicate the directions to your destinations. You are more likely to find them off the beaten path, on state and local roads, rather than the interstates.

When you plan your next Virginia wine tour, be sure to take a few detours to the Northern Neck region near Stafford and King George Counties and Washington, DC. Here are a few popular picks which are certain to please the palate:

Hartwood Winery - Fredericksburg

This historic farm has been producing fine wine since '89! Hartwood Winery hosts many tastings and events throughout the year, allowing visitors to sample their crisp Chardonnays and Clarets.

Lost Creek Winery ? Leesburg

Lost Creek offers unusual but delicious blends to savor, from apple and grape wines to late harvest wines made from high-sugar grapes.

Three Fox Vineyards ? Delaplane

Three Fox specializes in Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, and Viognier vintages on their fifty-acre farm. Wine aficionados are also invited to subscribe to a special vintner's circle, where one can "sponsor" vines and be trained in the winemaking process.

Linden Vineyards - Linden

For over twenty-five years, Linden has produced some of the finest Bordeaux wines in the Commonwealth. Tours and seminars on wine making and growing are hosted in the winter and summer, making Linden the perfect spot for an education as well as recreational stop on any Virginia wine tour.

If you enjoy what you taste at these and other Northern Virginia wineries, be sure to take a few bottles home with you, especially if you are out of state. Presently, Virginia wines are mainly available within Virginia, though the state has reciprocity agreements with thirteen states to allow the wine to be sold elsewhere in the country. Salud!

Kathryn Lively writes for the Stafford County Dept. of Economic Development.

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Taste the Fruits of the Vines of Northern Virginia Wineries

Virginia is known as much for its many products and resources as it is for it rich Colonial heritage and history. As early as the 1600s the commonweal...

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Chateau Gleon Montanie "Gaston Bonnes" - Corbieres "Futs de Chene"

The story of Gleon can be traced back to 778 A.D., when Charlemagne created the first Viscount of Narbonne charged with maintaining a defense against the Saracens. Gleon, at the head of the pass, become a major defense line of Charlemagne's Kingdom. This was a family owned land for over 1,000 years until the last Marquis was killed in 1830 and his wife sold the property to the Bonnes-Montanie family who have grown vines on the property since 1853. This lovely dry red wine from Corbieres, which is part of the Languedoc, is well structured and meaty with lush 'blackberry' fruit, aged in oak barriques. This top cuvee from Gleon Monatanie, France, is a perfect gift. CGMC99 CGMC99

Price: 29.99 USD

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All's well, that ends well. We have now come to the ending of Wine Facts . Until we meet again, adios.

A Wine Facts Artilce for Your Viewing

Wine Tasting for the Average Joe

Going to a wine tasting can be a very fun and enjoyable experience.
However, many people do not attend for fear of not knowing exactly how to act or
what to do. There no great mystery to wine tastings, just a few things you
should remember.

As far as etiquette, usually the ladies are served before the
gentlemen. Some wine tastings offer you bottled water. Use this to
rinse out your mouth between tastings so your palate is clean for the next
wine. There is often unsalted and unflavored crackers and bread to help
palate cleansing as well. You should always handle the wine glass by the
stem. This helps avoid heating the wine with the warmth of your hands,
thus altering the taste. Avoid wearing strong perfumes and colognes to a
wine tasting. That may take away from not only your smell, but also that
of the other guests. Also, avoid smoking, gum, and mints before and during
a wine tasting to be able to enjoy the full flavor of the wine.

You can tell a lot about a wine just by looking at its color. When you
attend a wine tasting, the glasses should always be clear so you can get a good
look at the wine. The tables may also be covered with white tablecloths to
help you see the wine's color clearly. Do not let the wine name full
you. For example, white wines are not white in color. They may range
from yellow to green to brown. Red wines range in color from pale red to a
deep brownish red and often become lighter with age. Sometimes the color
of a wine may indicate age or flavor. You may be able to tell the age of a
red wine by doing a rim test. Tilt the glass slightly towards the rim of
the wine glass and look at the wine. If the color of the red wine is more
of a purple, it is usually a younger wine. If the color of the red wine is
brown, it is an older wine.

Another thing you may have seen people do before they taste wine is swirl it
slightly in the glass. This is to help open up the wine's flavor.
Remember that the wine may have been in a bottle anywhere from six months to
many, many years. When someone swirls a wine, it helps release the
flavors. Just like when you're cooking at home and stir the food to help
blend the flavors.

The color of the wine is just one aspect you will want to look at when you
attend a wine tasting. You will also want to smell the wine. After
swirling, this is the next step in the tasting process. You have probably
seen people smell wine before and wondered why they did it. Smell plays a
very important part in what we taste. Researchers have determined that
perhaps as much as 75% of what we taste is actually based on what we smell
first. You can smell your wine one of two ways: taking a small whiff
to get an idea of how the wine smells, then a deeper whiff or take one deep
whiff. After smelling the wine, take a minute to think about the
smell. You do not want to immediately taste it after smelling but
give yourself time to explore exactly what you smelled.

Finally, you will need to know is how to taste the wine properly. Your
tongue has taste buds in both the front and back. These taste buds can
detect bitter, salty, sweet, and sour flavors, but some are more sensitive than
others are. There are three steps in tasting a wine: the first
impression, the taste, and the aftertaste. The first impression happens
when you take your first drink and the wine actually hits your taste buds.
It should awaken your sense to the wine. After taking the first drink, you
should swish the wine around your mouth for a few seconds to let all your taste
buds discover the full flavor of the wine. Think about what the wine
tastes like. Is it light or heavy? Is the smooth or harsh? The
aftertaste is the sensation that remains in your mouth after swallowing the
wine. How long did it last and was it pleasant?

Before attending a wine tasting, it may help you feel more confident to read
about the different types of wines. This will give you a better idea of
what to look for as far as flavor and taste. Next time you are invited to
a wine tasting; do not be afraid to go. You may be missing a great
experience!

About the Author

Jason Connors is a successful writer and wine connoisseur providing valuable tips and advice on wine cellar design, wine making, and wine basics. http://www.about-wine.net

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