by Richard Leahy | Jun 22, 2021 | Regions & Terroir, Tastings/Evaluations
Having been forced by the pandemic to avoid traveling to New York State last year, I eagerly drove to the Finger Lakes in early June. It was a good time to check out the wine scene; the “classic” 2019 vintage was still widely available but the great 2020 vintage was...
by Richard Leahy | May 16, 2021 | Regions & Terroir, Virginia Wine, Winery Visits
May 15th was an ideal day to do most anything outdoors. Near Charlottesville, it was an ideal day to avoid the crowds near the University and visit wineries, especially since the CDC had OK’d not wearing masks when in groups outdoors. Wineries were serving...
by Richard Leahy | May 14, 2021 | Regions & Terroir, Tastings/Evaluations, Varietals
In 2004 I had the pleasure of traveling to Lexington, NC and interviewing Richard Childress, the famous NASCAR legend and then the owner of a new, eponymous winery in the Yadkin Valley AVA. The resulting story made the cover of a national wine trade magazine....
by Richard Leahy | Feb 28, 2021 | Competitions, Regions & Terroir, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine
As I have done for the last decade, I was a judge in the annual Virginia wine Governor’s Cup competition this month, only there was a logistical proble: how to do the event with safe social distancing during the pandemic? Jay Youmans MW came up with what I...
by Richard Leahy | Feb 26, 2021 | Regions & Terroir, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine
Industry opinion is united on the quality of the 2018 vintage in Virginia: it was “The worst ever”, thanks to twice the rainfall Virginia normally gets (close to 100 inches vs. 43 inches). Among white wines, there were some surprisingly good ones, thanks...
by Richard Leahy | Feb 11, 2021 | Competitions, News/Announcements, Regions & Terroir
The 2020 Maryland Governor’s Cup, delayed until February due to covid-19, has announced the top winners in the competition. Boordy Vineyards has won the state Governor’s Cup for its 2015 Landmark Reserve, while Port of Leonardtown Winery won the Jack...
