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wealth.
“Virginia wines are a good ■ thing and we have the respan- - sibility to promote them and , make sure that we don’t get in , the way of a growing industry;’’ he stated.
Gilbert and Obenshain were involved in setting up legislature that would allow smaller vineyards to self-distribute, under a state created non-profit distributer. Gilbert also wrote passing legislation that allowed children of winery owners to work within a winery.
Gilbert. agreed with Obenshain, and added that it was an honor to work with him on important winery legislation. “I have come to leam more about wine than I ever thought I would know,” said Gilbert. “I have eiyoyed being a voice for the industry and 1 hope that I can continue to be a voice.*
Leahy spoke about the results of his London tasting tour, that heightened the reputation of Virginia wines. Among the high profile wine attendees were Hugh Johnson, the author of the annual Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine, and Steven Spurrier, known for arranging the “Judgment of Paris” tasting in 1976 which launched the reputation of California wines.
Leahy quoted Spurrier in a recent interview for a wine publication, saying, “The Virginia tasting was a real eye opener for all of us. I had been on a visit about 15 years ago and the wines were interesting but quirky to say the least, now they are mainstream in quality but refreshingly not mainstream in alcohol. I think all the tasters agreed that Viognier was the real star, then for me, Bordeaux blends and then Chardonnay with some very good Cabernet Francs.”
Leahyconcluded his presentation by speaking about the importance of the industry and , the bright future erf' Virginia wineries. “The Virginia wine industry has impressed some of the most discriminating and professional palates in the wine world recently,” said Leahy, “The word is out: Virginia wine is world class.”
“It has really been a great year for Virginia wines,” said Rappahannock cellars owner John Delmare after the event.
Delmare noted that the recent legislation battles kept Virginia wines in the news. He also said that the tasting trip to London was fantastic for the industry
“It really has gotten more publicity in the right kinds of circles than anything this industry has done since I have started,” he said, “to get world renowned names talking about the quality of Virginia wines is a lug step.”
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