The Other 46

Blind tastings don’t lie.  It’s an opportunity for the underdog to shine, especially in the case of local wine. Usually not given a fighting chance, especially by the mainstream media, a blind tasting removes the regional and label prejudices.  So when I read Yonah Mountain Vineyards eked out a victory against the mighty Kistler in a controlled [...]

Entrepreneur, winemaker, winegrower and consultant are just a few of the many hats Chris Pearmund has worn during his storied career in the Virginia wine industry.  Playing a leading role in a number of wineries throughout Virginia including The Winery at La Grange, Vint Hill Craft Winery and his namesake Pearmund Cellars, Chris Pearmund has [...]

Tonight’s quick sip hails from Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, located in Cornville, Arizona.  Situated on the eastern edge of Sulfur Springs Valley in a small, unincorporated area known as the Kansas Settlement, the vineyard is a partnership between Maynard James Keenan and Eric Glomski (I highly recommend the documentary, Blood Into Wine, to learn more about [...]

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not a big fan of Chardonnay from the other 46 states.  There are a number of reasons, possibly a post for a later date, I just don’t feel any of the states can ultimately compete with California.  That said I’ve tasted several quality Chards east of the west [...]

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I love sparkling wines.  I especially love sparklers that hail from the other 46 states.  Wineries in New York, Virginia and New Mexico are quickly earning a reputation for producing excellent value sparkling wines that are competing directly with California and France.  Quality is rising and [...]

Home to more than 90 wineries and the country’s most visited winery in Biltmore Estate, North Carolina is on the up and up when it comes to local wine.  Focusing on native Muscadine and European-style vinifera grapes, the number of wineries have more than quadrupled since 2001 [1].  Ranked 7th for wine production in the [...]

I recently poured a local wine that left me completely speechless and with a big smile on my face.  The wine, a 2007 Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay from Sharpe Hill Vineyards, is easily the best kept secret on the east coast.  Featured in the April ’09 issue of Wine Spectator, the Chardonnay won the magazines “Final [...]