King George Wine
The oldest known winery in the world was found in a cave in Armenia. It is over 4000 years old. But wine making is over 6000 years old. Virginia’s wine history is only 400 years old and currently there are 300+ wineries in Virginia with 2600 acres producing 6500 tons of grapes. We are fortunate to have two very excellent wineries located here in King George.
Both the Gumps (Backporch Vineyard) and the Cassells (The Estate at White Hall) agree that soil, temperature, and rain affect how the grapes will taste. I can tell you from experience that even though our two wineries are only at opposite ends of the county, there is a difference in the taste of the wines, even when it is the same type of grape. And different years will produce different tastes, that’s why there are wine collectors. The most expensive bottle of wine was an 1869 Lafite-Rothschild that sold for $269,000. That’s craziness, I would prefer something I can drink.
The wine making process hasn’t really changed all that much. The grapes are crushed, pressed, fermented and aged. The difference comes when you decide how it will be aged, oak or steel, if sugar or acid needs to be added, will it be a blend or not. There is an art to making a great wine. If you like a slightly sweet red wine, try the Freemans Red Oak from Backporch, it tastes exactly like the Chambourcin grape it is made from. I have been lucky enough to sample the grape. If you like a slightly sweet white try Solus Christus from the Estate, it was a silver medal winner last year. Both vineyards have a variety of reds and whites both sweet and dry. Come for a tasting!
National Drink Wine Day was Feb. 18, 2022
