Posts Tagged ‘potomac point winery’
Varietal: Blended White Wine (41% Vidal Blanc; 34% Chardonnay; 15% Traminette; 10% Viognier)
Region: Virginia – USA
Cost: $15.99
Slight floral notes with flavors of melon and citrus and a hint of sweetness. Pairs well with white meat, appetizers, spicy food, and hot summer days.
Recommendations: My parents live near Potomac Point Winery, so while it’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to go and visit them in person, I am fairly familiar with them and their wines. Because of that, I’m a big fan of their La Belle Vie, always keeping some on hand as the warmer months roll in as it works great as a deck wine.
The floral notes on the wine would lead you to believe there’s more Viognier in it than there is, and while there’s just a hint of sweetness, it’s countered nicely by flavors of citrus and a touch of melon. The wife and I paired this bottle with a dinner of pork chops from the oven, some corn, and a pasta side, but really the ideal pairing for this wine would be either a cheese and meat platter on the patio or a dinner of good Thai food. Read the rest of this entry »
Well, the 3rd Annual Virginia Wine Expo has come and gone. I found some new vineyards and visited some old favorites. Here’s the long and short of my experience.
Athena Vineyards (http://www.athenavineyards.com)
Athena Vineyards is worth going to just to check out their unique bottle designs. Owned by former nurses, Athena Vineyards offers a great deck wine in their Lighthouse White and a nice Meritage with a good pepper finish.
Potomac Point Winery (http://www.potomacpointwinery.com)
I’ll be the first to admit that I went to Potomac Point just to pick up a few bottles of their La Belle Vie 2008 for when the weather turns warm. This year they’ve introduced a La Belle Vie Rose that was enjoyable, but not as good as the original. Read the rest of this entry »
Varietal: Cabernet Franc (2007)
Region: Virginia – USA
Cost: $22.99
Light coloring with a fruit flavors and a finish of dark cherry, spice, violet, and black currant on a medium to full-bodied wine. Will pair well with red meat, pasta, or by itself.
Recommendations: Potomac Point is another of my favorite winerys here in Virginia, and while they’re relatively new, they’re already producing some great wine. Their Cabernet Franc is everything that you would want in Virginia’s signature grape, with nice spice and pepper on the finish and not too much fruit in the beginning.
I paired this red wine with a steak, and the pairing of Cabernet Franc and red meat continues to be one of my favorites. While the only way to currently get this wine is to visit the vineyard or find it in a Virginia ABC store, it’s well worth it if you’re in the area to stop in and pay them a visit. Their tasting room and patio are a great way to spend a day trying this and other great wine. Give this one a shot.
Varietal: Viognier
Region: Virginia – USA
Cost: $17
A Rhone varietal aged in stainless steel and French oak barrels. The golden color leads into a floral wine that is the favorite of Potomac Point employees.
Recommendation: My wife and I drank this with grilled pork chops, and it was great for that. The floral flavors of the wine are subtle, but weren’t overwhelmed by our meal. Even had I not known it was aged in French oak, the slight buttery taste makes it evident with a bold finish to the wine. Perfect for pairing with grilled white meat or for enjoying by itself, but will probably overwhelm all but the most heavily seasoned fish. Otherwise, a great wine to keep on hand.
I just realized that I haven’t posted any of the photos I took from the Virginia Wine Expo. Here are just a couple.
Veritas Vineyards tasting booth
I’m a big fan of this vineyard if for no other reason than because my brother-in-law got married here. Anybody looking to get married at a Virginia vineyard should really consider them.
Stone Mountain Vineyards tasting booth
You may take your life in your hand to get to the tasting room, but Stone Mountain offers one of the best places to enjoy a bottle of wine with their deck overlooking the Shenandoah mountains.
Jefferson Vineyards tasting booth
Amazing Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are reasons enough to visit this vineyard.
Potomac Point Winery tasting booth
Potomac Point is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to visit. With their amazing patio, great wines, and welcoming nature, whether you enjoy their wine or not (and I think you will), you’ll enjoy spending an afternoon at their tasting room.
Tarara Winery tasting booth
I’d never heard of Tarara before the Virginia Wine Expo, but they’ve quickly made their way onto my list of places to visit in the coming year.
Vino Curioso tasting booth
These guys just clearly enjoy making wine. With wines like Franc the Tank and Snake’s Den, there’s nothing pretentious or snooty about their wine, but it’s great quality wine that you’re sure to enjoy time and again.
