Virginia Wines - Opinions Please

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to determine whether or not there are actually any that stand up. By stand up, I mean that you would serve to your bosses and coworkers that are not from this area. As an example, when you look through Wine Spectator.com, Virginia wines hardly even register a blip on their radar. I think they're a great time to spend an afternoon, but I think the fun is giving me a biased perspective.

TIA

[Anonymous]

Barboursville Vineyards puts out some fantastic, medal-winning, internationally respected wines. Octagon and Nebbiolo are just two of them. The thing about Virginia wines is that the climate in Virginia produces wonderful varietals that are not as familiar to wine drinkers in the United States. Virginia Chardonnays and Merlots are not great in my opinion. But Cabernet Franc and Viognier are fantastic.

[Anonymous]

It is fun to go to Virginia Wineries, but with the wine from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.
Because local wines are TERRIBLE!!!

[Anonymous]

Linden has some that are decent. Very nice winery to visit too.

[Anonymous]

I like some Tarara whites.

[Anonymous]

Barrel Oak has also won awards for some of their wines.

I think serving them to bosses and coworkers not from this area makes more sense than serving them to people who live around here.

[Anonymous]

I second Barboursville and Tarara, both of which have some very lovely wines.

[Anonymous]

i have been told what one of the pp's said... that virginia is great for certain varietals. viognier is one of them.

personally i love viognier.

but ultimately, the major deciding factor in determining whether someone thinks a wine is "great" or "rubbish" comes down to their perception of the brand. and if the perception is that everything from VA is garbage, then it doesn't matter how good it is on its own.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/apr/14/expensive-wine-cheap-plonk-taste

[Anonymous]

IME the ones that are ok are way more expensive that what you'd pay for comparable wines from somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

I'm all for the Fabbioli rose dessert wine. Chrysalis has some good whites and tarara is good too.

[Anonymous]

Barboursville is my favorite and probably the only one I'd buy and serve. But I don't think the value is really there for VA wines. Village in Leesburg is a good value and has some different stuff. They have a few I would consider good deck/patio wines on a warm day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IME the ones that are ok are way more expensive that what you'd pay for comparable wines from somewhere else.

I agree. While I am happy to support local businesses, I have a hard time spending the same amount for a mediocre VA wine vs a great French wine.

[Anonymous]

The wineries along the Monticello trail produce MUCH better wines than those around this area. Veritas, Barboursville, and King Family are my favorites, and they all have award winning wines?

[Anonymous]

I tell you one thing, they're better than Ohio wines....

[Anonymous]

One that I like is called "Sarah's Patio Red" by Chrysalis.
http://www.chrysaliswine.com/

I'm not sure I'd serve it to a "boss"...I think it's more of like a "Girls night In" on a summer night, hanging out on the back patio, kind of drink.

It's red, but you chill it and it's a bit bubbly...reminds me a bit of Lambrusco, actually.

I orginally bought it because I thought the bottle artwork was cute, but now I like to drink it in the summer if we are having burgers outside.