While California, Oregon and Washington State have been in the spotlight ever since the famous Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976, wine growing in these regions is a fairly recent development. The oldest known vineyards in California date no further back than the Gold Rush and Oregon and Washington viticulture is a 20th century phenomenon.
Contrast this with Virginia, whose first vineyard was planted in 1608 to native grapes. Up to very recent years Virginia’s most successful varietals were hybrids such as Seyval Blanc and Vidal Blanc, grapes that found a welcome home in New York State and Ontario.
The Virginia wine industry has blossomed over the past decade to the point where the state ranks 5th among vinifera-growing U. S. states behind California, Washington State, Oregon, and New York State.
In 2004, Virginia boasted 262 vineyards and in 2007, more than 130 wineries were operating. No longer restricted to hybrid varietals, Virginia wineries now offer many of the better known vinifera wines: Chardonnay, Viognier (a star performer), Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. But also on the list are some interesting varietals not often seen elsewhere: Petit Manseng (which makes a delicious dessert wine), Chamboursin, and Virginia’s great native winegrape, Norton.
The Norton grape produces a rich, dry red table wine and has been cultivated in Virginia since 1820. It was acclaimed at the Vienna World’s Fair as “the best red wine of all nations.” Perhaps the judges from California and France stayed at home that year. In recent years Missouri has found the Norton grape especially well-suited to its climate and enjoys the largest planting of this variety in the U.S. (and probably the world).
Chamboursin is said to be a rustic native grape that has been under cultivation in Virginia since the days of Thomas Jefferson. It has found a happy home in Maryland and Tennesee as well.
Travel & Leisure Magazine named Virginia as “One of Five Up-and-Coming Wine Regions” in the world in its July, 2007 issue. It was the only American wine region featured. Other regions were in Chile, Spain, New Zealand, and Italy.
Wine tourism has become a major commercial enterprise in Virginia. So much so that the state of Virginia has designated the month of October as Virginia Wine Month. But you need not wait till October. Summer is a splendid time to visit Virginia’s many public tasting rooms and you will find signs all over Virginia’s highways directing you to them. This August (2007) more than 50 concerts have been planned, along with special tastings and celebrations such as the Beach Party Wine Festival at James River Cellars and Blackberry Days Wine Festival at Tarara Winery.
For more information visit Virginia Wines.
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