Author Archives | Brian Kirby

About Brian Kirby

A locavore who is passionate about local wine and the growing wine industry in the other 46 states.

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May 13, 2012

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I’ve wanted to up my game recently with the drink local campaign and decided the best way to show my support was with a new shirt.  ooShirts hooked me up with two custom t-shirts designed to my liking.  The front displays my logo, while the back reads “drink local”.  I’m a fan of clean and [...]

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Kinkead Ridge 2010 Riesling

February 21, 2012

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I’m fortunate to try some of the best local wines produced each year.  I’m well aware, at least in most cases, several of the wines I feature are near impossible to purchase.  Blame it on shipping laws, limited production or small marketing budgets, at the end of the day, most of the wines I write about [...]

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Linden Hardscrabble Chardonnay 2008

February 7, 2012

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If I had the patience to cellar wines, this post would be focused on a vertical of the best Chardonnay in Virginia, rather than a single wine review.  Unfortunately, I have little willpower when it comes to Jim Law’s wines, and especially his Hardscrabble Chardonnay.  Instead, I feature his 2008, and urge you to read [...]

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Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve 2009

February 4, 2012

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I was a skeptic when Virginia announced Viognier as the states signature grape last spring. Signature grapes are great for marketing purposes, but personally, I feel winemakers are still experimenting with different varieties making it difficult to declare a winner.  Nonetheless, Virginia Viognier is a personal favorite and one I drink often. Barboursville Vineyards, a winery with [...]

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Chaddsford Winery 2005 Merican

January 31, 2012

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One of the iconic wineries on the East Coast, Chaddsford Winery has been producing award-winning wines since their first release in 1983. Heralded winemaker Eric Miller is largely credited with launching a wine industry in Pennsylvania that now boasts more than 100 wineries and counting. Having achieved national acclaim and recognition, Eric’s wines have been featured in [...]

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Somerset Ridge Traminette Oktoberfest

January 24, 2012

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A 2010 Jefferson Cup award winner and voted one of the top 20 wines in the country in the white non-vinifera white wine category, the Somerset Ridge Traminette Oktoberfest is a prime example of the ever-changing wine world.  Made from the Traminette grape, a Gewürztraminer hybrid, the grape has found a permanent home in the Kansas soils [...]

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Tarara Winery 2008 Nevaeh Red

January 21, 2012

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Founded in 1989 by Whitie and Margaret Hubert, Tarara Winery is a 475 acre farm that stretches along the Potomac River in Leesburg, Virginia.  A veteran on the Virginia wine scene, Tarara sources from several of the states best vineyards, including their estate vineyard Nevaeh.  I haven’t visited since Jordan Harris joined the team as winemaker, but [...]

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