basicnecessities By Kay Pfaltz kpfaltz@mbc.edu www.basicnecessities.com
Virginia 1, California & France 0 Virginia Wine, Part III I return to Virginia after a quick detour recounting the Paris trip…and after tasting the wine class on several of our local wines, I’d have to say Virginia is coming out ahead. No joke. New vineyards in Virginia are flourishing. As there are some of the 140 or so, my mention is for those few in Nelson County as well as the three or four wineries outside Nelson whose merit is exceptional. Afton Mountain Vineyard, purchased in April by Toney and Elizabeth Smith, offers an Estate Reserve Sangiovese 2008- The 2008 Sangiovese is made from selected estate Sangiovese, blended with 20% Cabernet Franc. The unique growing site allows the opportunity to grow this grape that few others do. The 2008 Estate Reserve Sangiovese is a delicate and light-bodied Italian style wine, with light oak flavors and aromas of ripe fruit. Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2008- The 2008 Estate Reserve Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay produced at our unique growing site. The Estate Reserve Chardonnay is aged in French White Oak barrels
for 10 months. The barrels used are a quarter new oak, which leaves the 2008 Chardonnay with a delicious balance of oak and vanilla flavors and a soft, creamy mouth feel. Democracy Vineyard is another new winery in Nelson County. Founded by Susan Prokop and Jim Turpin, Democracy offers four wines as well as some delicious apple wines. Velvet Revolution Reserve 2007 – The flagship of Democracy vineyards, features a blend of vitis vinifera and hybrid grapes. A “thick” wine, solid in structure with undercurrents of plums. In the northern Virginia, Linden continues to put out outstanding wines, including a crisp, citrusy and mineral driven Sauvignon Blanc, Avenius that is the equal to a good Sancerre ($22.99). Keswick Vineyards consistently produces excellent wines, including the rich, full and jammy Heritage, one of my favorite Virginia reds. The 2006 Heritage Estate Reserve, 2009 Governor’s Cup Gold Medal winner, is full of black fruit and cedar and a perfect for a crisp fall day. And after tasting through nearly all of King Family Vineyards, I can say there was not one wine that the class didn’t
love. A perfectly balanced Chardonnay, 2008, done in the French style with nuanced oak has notes of baked apple and toast, ($22.99); one of the best Cabernet Francs I have every tasted ($26.99) and rich and spicy Meritage, 2007 a blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Dark fruits, especially black cherry, and raisins and prunes on the nose. Full in the mouth with cherry, smoke and clove. Any article on Virginia wine would be lacking without mentioning Luca Paschina of Barboursville Vineyard. The title of Michael Broadbent’s column in Decanter Magazine said it beautifully: “State’s evidence: Virginia 1, California 0.” The highest Virginia wine awards have gone to varying vintages of Barboursville Octagon wines, with the 1998 Octagon III Edition, a blend of 70% to 80% Merlot with Petiti Verdot and the Cabernets, warranted a four-star-plus rating. The Octagon 8th Edition, 2005 won the highest rating in red wines (93 pts.) at the World Wine Championship in Chicago. Well done Virginia. Kay Pfaltz is co-owner of Basic Necessities in Nellysford.
Café Wine and Cheese Shop 2226 Rockfish Valley Highway Nellysford, Virginia ph: 434.361.1766 www.basicnecessities.us
A taste of Europe in the Blue Ridge!
Now offering a second wine tasting, Wednesday evenings from 6pm - 7pm. Call to reserve. Dinner served Thurs. through Sat. Lunch served Tue. through Sat. Brunch on Sunday Note: No longer serving dinner on Wednesday nights, but taking reservations for private parties. Call in advance. Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 10am-6pm Thursday 10am-8pm Friday-Saturday 10am-10pm Reservations advised for weekend dinners. Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm
NOVEMBER 2009 NELSON COUNTY LIFE