Virginia wine
Encyclopedia
Virginia wine refers to wine made from grapes grown in the U.S. state of Virginia
. Wine has been produced in the area since the early days of European colonization in the 17th century. Virginia has hot humid summers that can be challenging to viticulture
. Since 2000, Chardonnay
has been the most produced grape variety, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon
, Viognier
, and Cabernet Franc
. French hybrids and native American grape varieties account for nearly 20% of total winegrape production in the state.
As of 2007, the state has 2400 acres (9.7 km²) under cultivation, an increase of 14% over the prior year. 5,600 tons were harvested in 2007, a 10% decline from 2006, the majority of which was Vinifera
. The entire year's crop was valued at $7,800,000. The state ranks eighth in the nation for both bearing acreage and grape production. Albemarle County
, in central Virginia, is the state's largest grape producer.
's Monticello Wine Company
and its Virginia Claret Wine were so well-regarded that the city declared itself to be "the Capital of the Wine Belt in Virginia." The wine industry in Virginia enjoyed a significant rebirth beginning in the 1970s.
The rebirth was led in part by the investment of the Zonin family of Italy in a new vineyard in Barboursville in 1976. Barboursville Vineyards
served as a catalyst in the 1970s, alongside the now defunct Oakencroft Vineyards. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, many other vineyards and wineries joined the mix and by 2009, over 163 wineries were operating in Virginia. By 2011 there were 192 wineries operating in Virginia.
While many different wines are produced throughout the Commonwealth, Cabernet Franc
, Petit Verdot
and Viognier
do especially well.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Wine has been produced in the area since the early days of European colonization in the 17th century. Virginia has hot humid summers that can be challenging to viticulture
Viticulture
Viticulture is the science, production and study of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. When the grapes are used for winemaking, it is also known as viniculture...
. Since 2000, Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
has been the most produced grape variety, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley...
, Viognier
Viognier
Viognier is a white wine grape. It is the only permitted grape for the French wine Condrieu in the Rhone valley.-History:The origin of the Viognier grape is unknown. Viognier is presumed to be an ancient grape, possibly originating in Dalmatia and then brought to Rhône by the Romans. One legend...
, and Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone - as in the Loire's Chinon...
. French hybrids and native American grape varieties account for nearly 20% of total winegrape production in the state.
As of 2007, the state has 2400 acres (9.7 km²) under cultivation, an increase of 14% over the prior year. 5,600 tons were harvested in 2007, a 10% decline from 2006, the majority of which was Vinifera
Vitis vinifera
Vitis vinifera is a species of Vitis, native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwestern Asia, from Morocco and Portugal north to southern Germany and east to northern Iran....
. The entire year's crop was valued at $7,800,000. The state ranks eighth in the nation for both bearing acreage and grape production. Albemarle County
Albemarle County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,236 people, 31,876 households, and 21,070 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 33,720 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile...
, in central Virginia, is the state's largest grape producer.
History
In the early 1900s, CharlottesvilleCharlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
's Monticello Wine Company
Monticello Wine Company
The Monticello Wine Company was a Charlottesville, Virginia cooperative founded in 1873 by local grape growers, located at the end of Wine Street, near Hedge Street. It was the largest winery in the South...
and its Virginia Claret Wine were so well-regarded that the city declared itself to be "the Capital of the Wine Belt in Virginia." The wine industry in Virginia enjoyed a significant rebirth beginning in the 1970s.
The rebirth was led in part by the investment of the Zonin family of Italy in a new vineyard in Barboursville in 1976. Barboursville Vineyards
Barboursville Vineyards
Barboursville Vineyards is a winery located in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the unincorporated town of Barboursville, Virginia. It is located within both the Virginia and Monticello viticultural areas.-History:...
served as a catalyst in the 1970s, alongside the now defunct Oakencroft Vineyards. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, many other vineyards and wineries joined the mix and by 2009, over 163 wineries were operating in Virginia. By 2011 there were 192 wineries operating in Virginia.
While many different wines are produced throughout the Commonwealth, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone - as in the Loire's Chinon...
, Petit Verdot
Petit verdot
Petit Verdot is a variety of red wine grape, principally used in classic Bordeaux blends. It ripens much later than the other varieties in Bordeaux, often too late, so it fell out of favour in its home region. When it does ripen, it is added in small amounts to add tannin, colour and flavour to the...
and Viognier
Viognier
Viognier is a white wine grape. It is the only permitted grape for the French wine Condrieu in the Rhone valley.-History:The origin of the Viognier grape is unknown. Viognier is presumed to be an ancient grape, possibly originating in Dalmatia and then brought to Rhône by the Romans. One legend...
do especially well.
Further reading
- Logan Ward, "Jefferson's Virginia: America's hottest new wine country", Southern Accents magazine, October 5, 2006
External links
- Virginia Wine Marketing Office
- Virginia Wineries and Breweries, Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Virginia Vineyard Association, Membership association of viticulturists and wineries.
- Virginia Wines on Facebook, Official Facebook Page for Virginia Wines.