Virginia wine : The true essence and flavor of Virginia

Virginia wine has a very distinct flavor and intensity, and reflects the true essence of the Virginia. For the last 400 years wine has been produced in the Virginia but it was only since last few decades that Virginia wine has recognized in the international or national market. Besides this production of Virginia wine has also shoot up from 75,000 wine cases in the year 1979, to 285,000 in the year 2001. To get more acknowledged in the international market Virginia started holding Virginia wine festivals and many other special events.

Commonly known as "The Father of American Wine," a famous Virginian, Thomas Jefferson, and Italian Filippo Mazzei established vineyards on land adjoining Monticello in 1774. Today, more than 20 grape varieties are grown in Virginia in the form of reds to whites, dry to sweet and some very wines. Virginia now ranks as the 5th largest wine producing state in the U.S, and enjoys its winning wine’s taste in over 300 Virginia wine festivals throughout the year. Prince Michel is the largest vineyard and winery operation in Virginia.

Although, harvesting of the grapes is not the easy task because of the extreme weather condition and unpredictable rains. But the respective trainers engaged in the production of Virginia wine do lots of hard work in vineyard selection, harvesting practice and harvesting time for the different type of grapes. After facing so many challenges now the makers of Virginia wine are able to win numbers of national and international wine competitions including a “Best of Show” in a California competition.

The most popular variety in white Virginia wine is Chardonnay the exotic grape of Condrieu that is a medium to full-bodied dry wine with a flavored hint of apples or citrus and it makes a perfect match with seafood and red meats. Top-of-the-line is the Barr ginia Chardonnay which is 100% fer mented in new French oak. With aroma of honey and apricot nectar, Riesling is a semi-sweet white wine which flavors a spicy and fruity taste.

The aromatic, spicy, and fruity Gewrztraminers (dry and semi-dry) works well with a variety of holiday dishes. Viognier deserve a place at the table, but Sauvignon Blancs and other white varieties, such as Seyval Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and even Albarino are also well-known names of Virginia wine and can be wonderful choices too.

Among red Virginia wines, Cabernet Franc is the obvious leader and its herbal and earthy qualities work especially well with sausage stuffing, root vegetables, sprouts, and chestnuts. Virginia's Red Bordeaux and Meritage blends, “Virginia’s Own,” the spicy, teeth-staining Norton and Cabernet Sauvignon with other classic varieties are also good choices of red wines.

Don’t forget dessert Virginia wine, many wineries make a variety of dessert wines and special wines as Ros and Blush wines, Brut, and Sparkling wines in Virginia. But Vidal Blanc is the most widely produced, due to its easy to grow and lovely aromatic qualities. Vidal Blancs are often blended with Riesling, Gewrztraminer, Muscato, and other grapes to achieve an unique stylistic expressions.

Earlier say around 25 years ago, to visit the Virginia winery to enjoy the fruitiness and aroma of the wine was no difficulty because at that time only five wineries are existed. But now, more than ninety wineries are producing Virginia wine. So in order to give the visitor comforts many companies of Virginia wine have collectively started “wine trails”. Virginia’s largest wine trail is the Monticello Wine Trail named after the Monticello viticulture appellation.

Regions where climate is favorable for the growth of grapes are Monticello, Northern Neck, Rocky Knob, Shenandoah Valley, Eastern Shore, North Fork of the Roanoke etc. Some of the reason that helps making Virginia wine best are favorable climate for grapes growing, support from various institution like Virginia Tourism Corporation or Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Strong wine marketing program, hard work of Virginia wine industry to improve the quality and viability of its products. All these things and factors make Virginia wine a winning name in the world of wine manufacturing that can stand up to the competition from around the world.
 

For more information about other services and products choose from one of the following links: