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Virginia Wine

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It’s a little known fact that wines have been produced in the state of Virginia for centuries. Well, there was attempted production anyway. In the early 1600s, the settlers in British colonial Jamestown ventured to produce European grapes as a way of boosting the British economy to rival wines from France, Italy, and Germany. But they were unsuccessful in making them flourish due to various diseases and early onset of what was later identified as Phylloxera, the mites that decimated the world’s vines centuries later. Interest shifted to tobacco crops. In the 1770s, future president Thomas Jefferson attempted to grow vines at Monticello without much success, as did George Washington at Mount Vernon. By the mid 1800s, successful cultivation was possible working with indigenous North American grapes, though still never as popular as European ones. By the turn of the 20th century, grafting American to European root stock, the technique proven to ward off Phylloxera, came into practice to strengthen vines. Grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay could now be grown in Virginia. But by 1920, Prohibition put an abrupt end to what was finally becoming a flourishing industry. It wasn’t until the 1950s that wineries began to produce again in earnest. Two of the top Virginia wineries, Barboursville and Waverly Estate were established in the 1970s, inspiring others to follow suit. Today, there are nearly 200 wineries in production.

The climate and soil conditions in Virginia vary extensively. Areas such as those around the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountain ranges are cool and rocky, further inland summers in the flat lands can be very hot and dry. There are six AVA’s within the state:

*Shenandoah Valley - the largest and most diverse

*Monticello - where Thomas Jefferson’s viticultural dreams are finally being realized

*Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace - along the Chesapeake Bay

*Eastern Shore - scenic and sandy, with free-draining soils

*North Fork of Roanoke - higher elevations with great ripening potential

*Rocky Knob - as the name suggests, along the slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains

The most popular grapes are French varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Viognier. American varietals and hybrids are also produced such as Norton, Vidal Blanc, Traminette, and Chambourcin. Virginia also produces various fruit wines.

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Château Morrisette Sweet Mountain Laurel

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Nov 10, 2011 at 5:36pm

870341Amanda Schuster added a description for Virginia

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Virginia on Snooth

May 2012

Veritas Cabernet Franc 2010

Snoothrank: Starting at $16^.95

No written review

Wine review by boof88
April 2012

Chateau Morrisette Winery Viognier 2010

Snoothrank:

Lovely if very fruity on the nose with good intensity to the classic honeysuckle, peach and honeydew aromas that show a bit of an Orangesicle sweetness to them. In the mouth, this is somewhat small-scaled, bright, juicy and livel, with clear, classic if slightly simple Viognier... Read more

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
March 2012

Château Morrisette Sweet Mountain Laurel NV

Snoothrank:

Seriously do none of you people have taste buds? Sweet Mountain Laurel my ass, it's more like nasty fermented dog piss if you ask me. I think the dog on the label is where they get this distintive flavor from. My mother insisted that this was the best wine she had ever had and... Read more

Wine review by jdwhit3
March 2012

Horton "The Tower Series" Norton 2008

Snoothrank:

Horton's Norton, fun to say and fun to drink! One can't help but be reminded of a great Zinfandel when drinking this wine. Plums and black cherries with touches of black pepper. This is wine is a steal!

Wine review by HughW
February 2012

Hello there, I have only been able to obtain two wonderful bottles ... Virginia- from Mobile, Alabama.

Forum post in the topic RomanceMe is my name
February 2012

Wintergreen Thomas Nelson White NV

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No written review

Wine review by dmhokie
February 2012

Barboursville Brut NV

Snoothrank:

This is a Prosecco style sparkling with a nice acidity and fine bubbles. There is a hint of fruit on the finish maybe sour apple that rounds out to a lingering pear taste.

Wine review by Jazzyjasmine
February 2012

Château Morrisette Sweet Mountain Laurel NV

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No written review

Wine review by justrightasrain
January 2012

Wintergreen Vineyard & Winery Three Ridges White NV

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No written review

Wine review by dmhokie
January 2012

Wintergreen Vineyard & Winery Raspberry NV

Snoothrank:

Great wine especially when paired with chocolate

Wine review by dmhokie