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known for his frequent wine encyclopedias. Other critics on hand included writers from Decanter magazine.
Steve Spurrier characterized the Virginia wine tasting as, “An eye-opener for chardonnay and particularly viognier, lovely meritage blends.” Hugh Johnson was so enamored with the 2005 petit verdot from Veritas Vineyards that he took home a bottle.
Carol Whitehead of Marstone Wine Consulting said, “Sparklers very promising, loved the petit verdot examples. Some fine chardonnays and white blends, good cabernet francs too.” Christos Ioannou of Criterion Wine Ltd. Said, “Really liked the quality of whites; elegant, subtle, fragrant, intelligent use of oak. Also liked the cabernet francs.”
Greville Hawanth of Wine on the Web summed it all up saying, “Surprisingly impressive!”
Chris Pearmund of Fearmund Cellars said that every one of the 100 or so people he spoke with was impressed with the quality and consistency of the Virginia wines. Echoing the refrain that viognier is without a doubt Virginias white wine Chris says, “They thought that the viognier has the best chance of being accepted as a varietal. As a, varietal across the border the viognier got the most respect, most interest.” He noted as well that the British liked the Virginia petit verdot, chardonnay, and the Bordeaux style blends and to a lesser extent the cabernet franc.
Asked why the Virginia wine makers decided to hold this event in London Chris said, “To justify that our wines in Virginia are of international quality. The potential of exporting to the U.K. To show that we have regional identity as a wine state. If we have that written about us in Decanter magazine I think we would be better accepted in Virginia and the [other] United States and D.C. as a better wine.” He characterized the tasting as, “A marketing thing to sell more wine.”
Richard Leahy will be on hand to talk about this event at Rappahannock Cellars on Thursday June 7 at 7:00 p.m. at a political fund raiser for Senator Obenshain and Delegate Gilbert sponsored by the Virginia wineries. RSVP if you are interested in attending.
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