My vacation in Virginia’s wine country kicked off with a visit to Veramar Vineyard in Berryville, VA. Surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Veramar is located in the Shenandoah Valley AVA. A boutique winery, Veramar produces 4000 cases annually and is a popular venue for weddings and events.
Upon our arrival, the tasting room was surprisingly quiet for a Friday afternoon with two other couples at the counter. We were told by the tasting room associate that it would be a few minutes before she could get to us. Apparently this particular staff member has not yet mastered the skill of multitasking. While waiting, I patiently scanned the tasting sheet (which I practically memorized by the end of our visit due to the long delays between pours). After several minutes passed, we were told the tasting fee is $5 and includes a sampling of 8 wines. We were accompanied by a Veramar Estate Club member, so our tasting fees were waived and also included a tasting of their Norton.
The white wine highlights included a Riesling/Vidal and Seyval Blanc. Both whites had good balance and acidity, and retailed for $17 and $18 respectively. I was a bit disappointed with the reds, although the Rooster Red was very good. A delicious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, I could easily see this pairing well with Italian. Nice black cherry, raspberry, and spice, I decided to enjoy a glass of the Rooster Red on the patio, but not before tasting the 2007 Norton. Retailing for $50, I wasn’t sure what to expect, as this was easily the most expensive wine I’ve tried from Virginia. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed. A solid wine with nice black fruit and oak, the wine is far, far from a $50 wine. But then again, everyone’s palate is different, and I’m sure they sell the heck out of it.
We finished our visit outside with a baguette, cheese, and salami alongside the vines. If you’re in the area, be sure to include Veramar Vineyard on your wine trail and mention that The Other 46 sent you. Cheers!
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