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[quote=Anonymous]Yes, Virginia absolutely has wine I'd serve to the boss.  I serve it to friends who know and like wine all the time, and they're always surprised.  There is actually very good stuff here.

A few things are true:
1.  Ten or more years ago, it wasn't like this.  It's been a long time coming, and you still have to do your homework to find the good stuff.  
2.  IMO, the reds have really only become drinkable very recently--the last 4 or 5 years.  And the good ones are many fewer than the good whites.  
3.  Yes, in general you're going to have trouble finding comparable value.  The good wines aren't under $20, in contrast with much of California and some of France.  If your primary criterion is wallet-friendliness, you're not going to be buying a lot of Va. wine.

But there's finally good stuff out there.

Some personal faves:
Almost anything from Breaux. They do wonderful things.  
White Hall Viognier -- wow.  (And I would say the White Hall wines are also excellent value.)  
The whites from Linden, especially the vidal/riesling and the late harvest vidal. 
Most things from Pearmund, but especially the viognier, the petit verdot, and the dessert wine (late harvest riesling, I think)
Kluge sparkling wine or chardonnay if you can still find it.  Very sad.  Haven't tried the Trump yet.
Narmada's Tannat or Yash-Vir.  Yash-Vir is their merlot-based bordeaux blend (named after their grandchildren).
The whites from Corcoran (used to be Waterford) -- terrific.  
IMO, Petit Verdot, as a single varietal, is great in Virginia.  It's going to be the Virginia red like Viognier is the Virginia white.

There are a bunch down in the Charlottesville area that I haven't tried yet.  Haven't been to Veritas, haven't tried Michael Shaps' wines, been wanting to.  I hear that area is really good now.

And some contrary opinions:
Hats off to Barboursville for being Virginia pioneers, but I find them overrated and overpriced.  Haven't found one I really like.  But it's been awhile; I should give them another try.  
Lots of people like Tarara.  Seems touristy to me, and not focused on the wine.  
I really can't get behind Cab Franc, anywhere (except the Loire).  I share the Paul Giammati Sideways opinion of it in American wine.

If you're not shopping primarily based on wallet, and you haven't tried Va. wine lately, try it.  There is a lot to like.   [/quote]

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