So Many Grapes…
One thing I meant to mention about my first trip to Virginia wineries was that the variety of varietals (how’s that for alliteration?) was much more broad than I saw in California. Our pourer at Breaux Vineyards mentioned that Viognier is fast becoming “Virginia’s grape.” Maybe it likes one week of spring, sweltering summers, and miserable winter weather.
Both wineries poured a straight Cabernet Franc. Despite Paul Giamatti’s thoughts in Sideways about straight Cab Francs, both Virginia examples turned out well. Finally, Breaux was pouring Seyval Blanc, a varietal I had never heard of. Apparently, the Firefox spell checker was also ignorant of the varietal. Appellation America remarks here that
“Your duty in life is to serve humbly in the vinifera-challenged environs of North America.”
Tough, but fair. The grape has such a bad rap that it can’t be used in “quality wine” per European Union standards. Wines made from Seyval (in my extensive two wine survey) feel like a Sauvignon Blanc that is a little weak or just missed the mark. I’m sure it can be a wonderful grape and produce a stunning example of whatever, I just doubt that it often turns out that way.
Anyway, here’s to drinking my way through whatever else is growing on the humid slopes of the Mid-Atlantic!
December 12th, 2007 at 8:16 am
Why you gotta hate on East Coast weather?
December 12th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Because it is bad.