by Richard Leahy | Aug 31, 2020 | Regions & Terroir, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine
I’ve not yet visited Hiddencroft Vineyards, one of Loudoun County’s northernmost wineries, but I’ve enjoyed their Petit Verdot twice now, in very different styles. The 2008 was a cool vintage style, but that doesn’t mean the wine was light or...
by Richard Leahy | Aug 30, 2020 | News/Announcements, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Review
Rock Roadhouse Winery, a k a Ch. Donze Vineyards, is Bath County’s first licensed winery, and produces only natural wine. They will hold their Grand Opening next weekend, September 3-7th, and are located at 125 Chateau Donze Ln., Hot Springs, VA 24445. The name...
by Richard Leahy | Aug 25, 2020 | Regions & Terroir, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Review, Winery Visits
On August 1st I signed copies of my new third edition of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines (the definitive book on Virginia wine) at Breaux Vineyards in northern Loudoun County, so I stayed for a couple of nights and visited a half-dozen other wineries, some of which...
by Richard Leahy | Aug 22, 2020 | Tastings/Evaluations, Varietals, Virginia Wine
Part of the natural wine movement is seeing wines labeled as “unsulfited”. Why doesn’t everyone do this? Because potassium metabisulfite, when added to wine, reacts with oxygen and binds it to sulfur molecules to create SO2, which helps preserve the...
by Richard Leahy | Jul 4, 2020 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Review
According to Governor Northam, Virginia has moved into Phase Three of re-opening, which means wineries can welcome visitors again, although social distancing and masking is still required. Not all wineries are following the same model. Some require reservations to...
by Richard Leahy | Jun 12, 2020 | Events, Tastings/Evaluations, Winery Review, Winery Visits
Ankida Ridge Vineyards, the “jewel of Amherst County” (my phrasing) has just released their new 2017 vintage Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and 2016 Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine. The 2017 vintage was a fine one in Virginia, for both reds and whites. The...
