Are you looking for a crisper Chardonnay that offers the taste of the fruit rather than a sometimes overpowering taste of oak and butter? Come sample stainless steel Virginia Chardonnay. Oak fermented Chardonnay also abounds!
Do you like Asian or spicy foods? Are you more a red wine drinker in search of a white wine that offers complexity? Viognier is a staple of Virginia and flourishes in the state.
Have you gotten over your affliction with the movie Sideways and Merlot? You will find great Merlot. If you like more of a bite to the finish, Cabernet Savignon is represented at many Virginia wineries (though not all, as you're never sure if it will fully ripen here in Virginia), often offering a taste which surprises because it is so true to the grape.
Cabernet Franc offers a little spice to life. It ages well but is great to drink young and offers a great spice finish. It flourishes in Virginia and can be found as a stand alone or is used as a blending grape. Some other blending grapes you'll find: Malbec, Petit Verdot (not your father's Petit Verdot; Virginia is THE hotbed for Petit Verdot as a varietal) and Chambourcin.
Virginia offers wonderfully structured lighter reds. These wines are great for people who are just getting into red wine, people who like red wine but do not like heavy tannins, great for picnics, BBQ or just enjoying after a long day at work. You will find Rose in the traditional French style, which is the hottest trend in the American market.
Many wineries also have impressive Meritage blends.
The Native American vine Norton also abounds.
Do you like it sweet? Virginia offers it own version of ice wine and a wonderful assortment of dessert wines. We also have some award winning Petit Manseng, which many times is finished as a sweeter wine because of its very high brix at harvest. Wine can be made with more than just grapes. In fact, any fruit can be made into a wine, and there are some truly remarkable fruit wines available in Virginia. Think Raspberry, Apple, Honey, Blueberry, Cranberry or Mead (the wine of the Vikings), to name just a few. Some are sweet and make wonderful desserts while others are surprisingly dry and make an outstanding companion to your main course.
Virginia Sparklers are always a favorite, and most are made in the traditional Champagne method. Both Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc sparklers pair wonderfully with turkey!
No need to head to Germany in search of a nice Gewurztraminer, either. There are a couple of hidden gems in Nelson and Albemarle that are actually on the dry side.
Traminette, Sauvginon Blanc (currently there are a couple of stunners out there), Vidal and Seyval are also here to be discovered.
