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November 13, 2020

Is Virginia for Wine Lovers? #winepw

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Virginia is for lovers of all kinds. Is it for wine and food lovers too?

Bluemont wine, cheese and charcuterie board

Virginia is for Lovers

Did you know that Virginia is for lovers?

Welcome to Virginia sign

The mantra is emblazoned on to every state license plate and might make you wonder whether Virginia is a honeymoon getaway.

Created as an ad campaign in 1968, the state wanted to promote Virginia as a haven for lovers of mountains, beaches, and history, of which it is has plenty.

However, is it for wine lovers too?

California vs. Virginia

I traveled there in September to escape the raging CA wildfires of the century and found the differences to be an absolute breath of fresh, non-smokey, non-Covid restricted air.

Below is a summary of my findings in tabular format.

Northern California (Bay Area)Northern Virginia
Gas price per gallon. $3.50$2.00
Sales Tax9.5%5.3%
Minimum Wage$15$7.25
Income Tax12.3%5.75%
Price for a decent homeBARE minimum $1,000,000 $450,000
Public transportationa hot messcan't complain
Homeless peopletoo many to countdidn't see a single one
Streets and Roadspotholes, cracks, rarely ever pavedpitch black, smooth as butter
Waterdrought ridden, heavy fire risk, yellow dessicated lawnslots of rain lending to lush green landscapes

Begging me to ask the question of why do I live in California?

Oh right, the wine.

Lower cost of living is one thing, but does Virginia have wine I can drink?

Empty table in front of a view at Bluemont Vineyard

Does Virginia have wine?

Well I came to the state to visit people that don't actually drink wine.

(Not off to the best start, I know.)

I did manage to find a nearby winery, Bluemont Vineyard.

And I ended up passing by even more wineries that dot the highways leading to Shenandoah and Harpers Ferry National Parks.

4 pictures at BlueMont Vineyard in Virginia

Bluemont Vineyard

When you're making people go to a winery, when they don't drink wine, naturally you look for one with a view. Because everyone loves a view.

For that reason, Bluemont Vineyard is just the picturesque type of one you would want to visit, that also had U-Pick apple farms nearby. (Virginia is the apple capital of the East Coast.)

Now, could I find anyone to give me intel about the winery besides what's for sale in the gift shop and where the bathroom is?

4 pictures of BlueMont Vineyard

I'll cut my server a break because he just started working there two weeks ago. And anyone having to work a job serving the public under masked Covid conditions should be put on several pedestals.

And that is what Google is for, isn't it? So you don't have to actually talk to people for information?

Since I have zero insight to share with you aside from my pretty pictures, let's discuss the what makes Virginia wine unique.

close up shot of virginia wines paired with snack food

Unusual grape varietals

Virginia is making headlines for their production of unusual grape varietals, including Chambourcin and Petit Manseng.

Chambourcin is a French American hybrid grape commercialized in 1963. With a bright red color and minimal tannins, it shines with bright red fruit, high acid, and slight herb notes.

Petit Manseng is a native French grape that has a light lemongrass and woodsy flavor.

Pair with Guacamole

I lugged home a bottle of Chambourcin and Petit Manseng and found them to be incredibly versatile with food.

They could stride alongside any flavor profile you throw at them: spicy, sweet, or savory.

Most importantly, they both paired with guacamole beautifully, a fait accompli for a difficult to pair nutty fruit.

guacamole in a blue bowl

Value wines?

For $25-$28 per bottle, I could think of many splendid CA bottles I could buy instead.

But I probably wouldn't be able to find a Chambourcin or Petit Manseng.

There is no price tag for uniquely American wines that are hard to find elsewhere.

Virginia, after all is for lovers, and love cannot be bought.

American Wine is Great

Learn more about under the radar wine regions and the food they pair with from the #winepw writers:

  • Nicole from Somm's Table is Cooking to the Wine: Acquiesce Grenache Rosé with a Glazed Stuffed Pork Loin Roast.
  • Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla says Mahalo Plenty! Hawaiian Sips and Nibbles.
  • Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm adds Let’s Celebrate Thanksgiving by Eating and Drinking Locally.
  • Jeff from Food Wine Click! brings Idiot’s Grace: Explorers in the Columbia Gorge AVA.
  • David from Cooking Chat pairs Cranberry Jalapeño Dip with New England Wine. 
  • Linda from My Full Wine Glass suggests Raising a Glass of PA Cab Franc – Paired with a Philly Cheesesteak.
  • Gwendolyn from Wine Predator showcases Local Love: 6 Ventura County Wines from Local Vines paired with Watkins Beef, Ventura Fresh Fish.
  • Susannah from Avvinare offers Wines from New Mexico Paired with New Mexican Style Beef Chile.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MonkeysVentures says

    November 16, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    WOW! That was such a fun educational read. We've never been to Virginia. We've never thought of Virginia having such an intersting wine scene. And, we've never even heard of Chambourcin OR Petit Manseng. Now curious to try it -- wonder if we could find some here in Califonia... Thanks so much for sharing, Deanna!

    Reply
    • asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says

      December 08, 2020 at 9:13 pm

      Thank you Monkeys! So glad to see you could take the virtual tour with me! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Linda Whipple, CSW says

    November 16, 2020 at 11:35 am

    I've been up and down the beautiful Shenandoah Mountains and to several Virginia wineries, including Bluemont Beautiful!. Well worth a visit. Love your side-by-side comparison of costs - something I really appreciate as an East Coast girl transplanted to the West Coast.

    Reply
    • asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says

      December 08, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      That's awesome. I feel like VA is undiscovered for both its beauty and wines!

      Reply
  3. Wendy Klik says

    November 15, 2020 at 9:36 am

    My son lives in VA....on my next visit I think we will have to check out the wineries. Thanks

    Reply
    • asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says

      December 08, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      Very cool Wendy!

      Reply
  4. Camilla says

    November 14, 2020 at 6:26 am

    I lived in Charlottesville for a spell in the mid 90s and was surprised by the beauty and the wine! But I'm a California girl at heart, so that didn't last long. Glad you enjoyed your visit and the unique grape varieties.

    Reply
    • Susannah Gold says

      November 14, 2020 at 5:08 pm

      Deanna, It was so fun to get your take on Virginia wine. I have visited a few times with wine people so I got to see a good number of wineries and I was impressed. Yes, the price of the wines is daunting but as you say love can't be bought. I found your post hilarious at time too and I love your pairing comment. "They could stride alongside any flavor profile you throw at them: spicy, sweet, or savory." Thanks for writing about this beautiful state.

      Reply
      • asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says

        December 08, 2020 at 9:12 pm

        Thank you so much Susannah! They are direct to consumer, so I guess the higher prices were expected.

        Reply
    • asiantestkitchen@gmail.com says

      December 08, 2020 at 9:10 pm

      Wow, that is so cool that you lived there! It is a beautiful place, but so is CA!

      Reply

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