Sic Semper Vino Virginianis

CNN, as it seems to have done for the past couple years, is running a puff piece on the Virginia wine industry. The piece features the Barboursville Vineyards which, as near as I can make out, is the closest thing to a legit European vineyard within the great Commonwealth. I have heard good things about its Sangiovese and Barbera Reserves, although I have not yet had the opportunity to sample them, as the local Total Bev seems to carry neither and I haven't yet been motivated to hoik my lazy Llama backside down Route 29 to visit the place itself.

Anyhoo, at this point I'm willing to give Barboursville the benefit of the doubt. HOWEVER, I read these paragraphs in full cringe mode:

Since Barboursville's founding in 1976, Virginia vineyards have grown from a handful to nearly 120 statewide, placing Virginia fifth in the nation in the number of wineries. It's also among the fastest-growing wine-producing states, according to tax figures from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
"We as a state over the past three years have put a much greater emphasis on wine," said Tamra Talmadge-Anderson, a Virginia tourism spokeswoman. Visitors who include a Virginia winery on their trips spend twice as much per person than the average traveler, $299 versus $129, according to a state tourism department study.

I'm usually a champion of teh Old Dominion, but friends, I tell you truly (as I have done so here and here and here and here and here) that there simply is no such thing as good Virginia wine. It all tastes like cough syrup. And (as the above graph demonstrates) high-priced cough syrup at that. So certainly come for the scenery and history, but stock up your picnic hampers with imported plonk.

Posted by: Robert at 10:25 AM

Comments

1 A couple of my motorcycle buddies (A husband and wife team) own the Standing Stone vinyards in upstate New York. We had a rally up there back in Y2K, and the place is spectacular. It's right beside one of the finger lakes, and they make amazingly good wine. I'd suggest the Cabernet Franc, which is made from the parent grape of Cabernet Savignon. Real rich, dark taste, which I love.

You're right: When I was in VA I never found a local wine to my liking.

Posted by: Hucbald at October 24, 2007 10:37 AM (KK16T)

2 I must put in a plug here for California wine. Lots of it are as good as the French. But I'm prejudiced.

Posted by: miriam at October 24, 2007 10:37 AM (Zp7CU)

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