Yes, it was time to taste some Virginia wines. I was invited to a dinner featuring Early Mountain Vineyards where the wines poured were also from a number of other different Virginia producers. The featured wines were part of Early Mountain's Best of Virginia program. Our hosts for the evening were Frank Morgan (Drink What You Like) and Neal Waver (Fable Hospitality). It was at the end of an eventful day touring the Seneca Lake Wine Trail when we arrived for dinner at the Hand + Foot Restaurant in Corning, New York.
Let's Start with the White Wines
I missed tasting the rosé wine but I arrived in time for the whites.
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| Best of Virginia White Wines © Spaswinefood |
The white wines in the glasses were :
1. Thibaut-Janisson, Monticello, Blanc de Chardonnay, Brut NV
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| Thibaut-Janisson, Monticello, Blanc de Chardonnay, Brut NV © Spaswinefood |
2. Linden, Fauquier County, Hardscrabble Chardonnay 2009
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| Linden, Fauquier County, Hardscrabble Chardonnay 2009 © Spaswinefood |
3. Veritas Vineyards, Monticello,Viognier 2014
Veritas Vineyards, Monticello,Viognier 2014 © Spaswinefood
4. Early Mountain Vineyards, Madison County, Block Eleven Petit Manseng-Muscat 2014
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| Early Mountain Vineyards, Block Eleven Petit Manseng-Muscat 2014 © Spaswinefood |
The white wines were paired with yard bird, country caesar and white-wine pickled beets.
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| yard bird = fried buttermilk-brined poussin, caesar salad and beets © Spaswinefood |
Let's Continue with the Red Wines
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| Virginia Red Wines with green & beans and hush puppies © Spaswinefood |
The red wines in the glasses were:
1. Barboursville Vineyards, Orange County, Reserve Cabernet Franc 2010
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| Barboursville Vineyards, Orange County, Reserve Cabernet Franc 2010 © Spaswinefood |
2. Fabbioli Cellars, Loudoun County, Tannat 2012
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| Fabbioli Cellars, Loudoun County, Tannat 2012 © Spaswinefood |
3. King Family Vineyards, Monticello, Petit Verdot 2012
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King Family Vineyards, Monticello, Petit Verdot 2012 © Spaswinefood
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4. RDV Vineyards, Fauquier County, Rendezvous (Merlot-Cab-Cab Franc-Petit Verdot) 2009
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| RDV Vineyards, Fauquier County, Rendezvous 2009 © Spaswinefood |
The red wines were paired with ham, greens & beans, hush puppies and boiled peanuts.
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| ham = cholula/honey glaze with greens & beans © Spaswinefood |
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hush puppies = masa + sweet corn + onion with greens & beans © Spaswinefood
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boiled peanuts = raw peanuts + chipolte + old bay © Spaswinefood
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Let's Finish with Dessert
Then of course there was tart for dessert.
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| lively run chèvre + mango/jalapeno chutney, prosciutto, Chaseholm Farm's Camembert © Spaswinefood |
Now let's imagine the above dessert paired with the following dessert wines:
1. Michael Shaps, Monticello, Raisin d'etra Rouge Late Harvest Cabernet Franc 2012
2. Glen Manor Vineyards, Warren County, Raepheus Late Harvest Petit Manseng 2012
Given the wine list that I tasted it is easy to fall in love with Virginia wines. Moreover, these wines paired well with the selected dishes. For more detailed notes on the wines see Frank Morgan's article. All the wines featured in the above tasting are sold in Early Mountain's tasting room.
Let me not forget to mention there were indeed conversations over Virginia wine. I so love these wine conversations.
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| Conversations over Virginia Wine © Spaswinefood |
Virginia's wine history dates back to early colonization in the 17th century. Today with over 200 wineries Virginia is the 5th largest wine producing state based on wine grape production. For further information on Virginia wines here are some useful resources:
1. Virginia Wines
2. Virginia Wine Club
3. Virginia Wine In My Pocket
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Early Mountain's Best of Virginia Wines © Spaswinefood
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Yes, Virginia there are awesome Virginia wines. It is wines, like the ones I tasted over dinner, then put Virginia wines on the map. I would definitely place Early Mountain Vineyards on the list of "must visit" Virginia wineries. It is also important to note their commitment to biodiversity and sustainable farming that uses organic and biodynamic methods. Should your travels take you to Corning New York checkout the Hand + Foot Restaurant. I think you will like it. Special thanks to Frank Morgan (Drink What You Like) and Neal Waver (Fable Hospitality) for including Spaswinefood in this pre-#wbc15 Virginia wine dinner. I invite you to also check out my travels elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
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