January Wine News & Events

Virginia Wine Expo- Six Unforgettable Days in Richmond! March 3-8, 2020

Happy New Year from all at Virginia Wine Lover!

We look forward to continuing to bring you news about Virginia's wine industry with updates each month on festivals, winery events, wine trails and tours and related activities. There will be notes on new varietals, food and drink recipes, as well as contests for special giveaways. We will also follow Virginia craft beers and spirits.

Don't miss this last opportunity to vote for your 2019 Favorite Virginia Tasting Room.

Deadline for voting is January 15, and winners will be announced in the February newsletter.

As always, thank you for your continuing support of Virginia Wine Lover. Let us hear from you with your comments and suggestions. In the meantime, we wish you good times, good cheer and a memorable 2020.

June Britt

Editor

[email protected]

www.vawinelover.com

IN THIS ISSUE

Sponsors

Vote for your Favorite Winery

ETC

Recipe of the Month

Future Festivals

January Events

MARCH 3-8, 2020

Richmond

15% DISCOUNT

With Promo Code:

FRANK 15

30% OFF

With Promo Code:

offvawinelover

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE

FOR YOUR FAVORITE TASTING ROOM!

What Virginia wineries did you visit in 2019?

What were your top Tasting Rooms? And why?

With nearly 300 Virginia wineries and dozens of wine trails,

you can sip your way across the Commonwealth.

Unique tasting rooms offer award-winning wines and

experiences that make your visit unforgettable.

CLICK HERE & VOTE BY JANUARY 15

Top 10 Tasting Rooms will be announced January 27.

AWARDS, P EOPLE, H APPENINGS, E TC. AROUND VIRGINIA

	WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE 100 BEST WINES OF 2019! Congratulations to Barboursville Vineyards. Their Viognier Reserve 2017 was named by Wine Enthusiast as one of the 100 Best Wines of 2019, worldwide, The vintage was selected from among 24,000 wines tasted over previous 12 months. The Viognier won a Do uble-Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Competition, and the Atlantic Seaboard Competition's Best in Class ranking from Canada to the Deep South. www.bbvwine.com
	ATLANTIC SEABOARD WINE ASSOCIATION HONORS VIRGINIA JOURNALIST Travel writer Nancy Bauer is recipient of the 2019 Birchenall Award from the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association for promoting knowledge of the East Coast Wine Industry. Bauer and her husband developed the Virginia Wine in My Pocket smartphone app and website. She is the author of the book Virginia Wine Travel Journal and writes for the Washingtonian magazine. www.virginiawineinmypocket.com
	FIRST ANNUAL SHENANDOAH CUP Congratulations to Barren Ridge Vineyards in Fishersville, winner of the inaugural Shenandoah Cup sponsored by the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail. The medal winning wines were announced at a gala on November 15 at CrossKeys Vineyards in Mt. Crawford. The competition is designed to draw attention to the Shenandoah Valley AVA and its superior growing conditions for wine grapes. www.ShenandoahValleywineTrail.com www.barrenridgevineyards.com
	MATTAPONI OWNER DIES Michael Virginia Evans, Winemaker of Mattaponi Winery in Spotsylvania, passed away on November 18. Founded over 20 years ago by Evans and his wife Janette, Mattaponi has a history steeped in Native American culture and Virginia history. The winery is known for producing award-winning pure fruit wines. Caleb Evans succeeds his father as winemaker. The tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday 10a to 6p. www.mattaponiwinery.com
	S POTLIGHTING A VIRGINIA CIDERY Big Fish Cider is a microcidery in Monterey, an unspoiled rural setting in scenic Highland County. The ciders are made using traditional techniques with locally grown apples to create completely new flavors. The ciders are available in a range of off-dry to semi-sweet blends and seasonal offerings. Big Fish has won best in show, gold, silver and bronze awards at various competitions. Tasting room is open Fridays 4-7p and Saturday 2-7p. www.bigfishcider.com

ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS

WITH LEMON-WINE SAUCE

Easy to prepare, and so delicious!

Click Here for Recipe

Serve with a Virginia Savignon Blanc.

Sauvignon Blanc ("wild white") is one of the

world's most highly acclaimed white grapes.

Virginia brings its own expression to this poplar wine, showcasing classic aromas of fresh herbs balanced with sharp acidity. Pairs beautifully

with seafood and poultry.

BUY FESTIVAL TICKETS EARLY AND SAVE!

It pays to buy your tickets early as most festivals offer d

iscounts for purchase in advance and online.

For links to upcoming festivals, CLICK HERE.

January 2020 Events

	January All Month: Annual Bag Challenge Chateau O'Brien Winery (Markham) Bring in Chateau O'Brien wine bags to enter to win a Riedel wine glass gift set. Person bringing in most bags by Jan. 31 is the winner.
	January 11: #1 Wine Boot Camp Little Washington Winery (Washington VA) A snob free seminar in plain English. In two hours, learn all the tidbits about wine nobody will tell you.
	January 11: Vertical Tasting Fireside Chat Beliveau Farm Winery (Blacksburg) Explore previous vintages with tastings of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 wines. Food and beer available.
	January 11-12: Virginia Wine & Fly Fishing Festival Meadow Event Park (Doswell) Unique event combines fine wine tasting, microbrewery beer, and everything you ever wanted to know about fly fishing but were afraid to ask.
	January 12: Wine Tasting Hamlet Vineyards (Bassett) Sunday afternoon tastings of various terroirs along with freshly baked breads and gourmet spreads or lunch.
	January 12: Wine & Chocolate Pairing Party Bluestone Vineyard (Bridgewater) Sample delicious chocolates from Warfel's Sweet Shoppe paired with Bluestone wines. Reservations.
	January 16-19: Winter Blues Jazz Festival Merchants Square (Williamsburg) A little something for everyone, this is an entertaining weekend full of music and food. Opening at Williamsburg Winery.
	January 17: Wine + Dine Taubman Museum of Art (Roanoke) Wonderful evening of inspiring artwork, delicious cuisine and distinctive wines
	January 17: Bootleggers Ball Stelle Rose at Staunton Station (Staunton) Mark the 100th anniversary of Prohibition. Heavy hors d'oeuvres, adult beverages and dancing into the night.
	January 17: Think & Drink Trivia Night Bluestone Vineyards (Bridgewater) Gather friends, sip some wine and put your knowledge to the test. No cover; prizes to win.
	January 18: Sangria, Wags & Wine Lazy Days Winery (Amherst) Bring your four-legged friend on a leash, enjoy the music and a growler of sangria.
	January 18: Whisky Wonderland The Virginia Distillery Company (Lovington) Chase away winter blues and warm up with a whisky tasting beside the fire and enjoy live music.
	January 18 Cabernet Vertical Tasting Breaux Vineyards (Purcellville) J ourney through a delicious 3-course gourmet meal with 8 wines. Discuss the various vintages with the Winemaker and Sommelier. Reservations.
	January 19: Tannat Vertical Tasting Chateau O'Brien Winery (Markham) Howard O'Brien will conduct the tasting that includes Tannats 2007 to 2013. Reservations; times are noon and 2pm.
	January 19: Wine Mimosas Lazy Days Winery (Amherst) Spend an afternoon relaxing as you enjoy a wine Mimosa. By the glass or Lazy Days growler.
	January 19: Bubbles & Chips Valley Road Vineyards (Afton) Try a taste sensation of sparkling wine and potato chips. You'll have a fun time comparing chips and which pair best with each wine.
	January 23: Paint Night Wood Ridge Farm Brewery (Lovingston) Instructor guides you step-by-step resulting in your own painting. Food and drink available. Reservations. Email: [email protected]
	January 24-25: Bluegrass and Brew Festival The American Theatre (Hampton) Jam packed concert weekend feature extraordinary musical talent and award-winning beers and spirits.
	January 24-25: Clifton Forge Blues Festival Historic Masonic Theatre (Clifton Forge) A weekend sure to turn your winter blues from cold to hot with extraordinary musical talent.
	January 25: Oyster & Wine Thing Little Washington Winery (Washington VA) Annual event with oysters on the half shell, wine and BBQ food truck. Pay for what you consume.
	January 25: Desert Rose Winemaker Dinner Marriott Ranch (Hume) Five course gourmet dinner paired with select wines from Desert Rose Winery. A fun evening with winemaker Bob Claymier. Reservations.
	January 25: Blue Jean Ball Beliveau Estate Winery (Blacksburg) Put on your jeans and boots and dance away the winter blues. Classic and pop country hits, wine, beer and BBQ.
	January 25-26: Taste of the Cellar Fox Meadow Winery (Linden) Tastings in the cellar of 2018 and 2019 red wines direct from the barrel. Reservations.
	January 25-26: Coastal VA Magazine Winefest Convention Center (Virginia Beach) Virginia's finest vintage wines, specialty foods, beer garden, distillery den and live entertainment.
	January 26: International Wine Festival Taubman Museum of Art (Roanoke) Over 30 bubbly sparklings to bold reds, live music, hors d'oeuvres and desserts.
	January 26: Cabernet Sauvignon Seminar Bluestone Vineyard Taste Cabernets from France, Australia, Virginia, and more. Learn about the history, production and regional differences.
	January 26: Mojo Pie Celebration Glass House Winery (Free Union) A celebration for everyone whose birthday is in January, inside the tropical party space from 2 to 5.
	January 28: Library Tasting Gray Ghost Vineyards and Winery (Amissville) Taste featured 2004, 2007, 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with limited number for sale.