The Other 46

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

When it comes to Virginia wine, the two varieties most mentioned are Viognier (the state’s official wine grape variety) and Cabernet Franc.  Both are deserving of the discussion.  And just for the record, I’m a fan of both.  But for those new to Virginia wine, you would be remiss if you overlook Merlot, a variety [...]