Virginia wine

Virginia
Wine region
Official name Commonwealth of Virginia
Type U.S. state
Year established 1788
Country USA
Sub-regions Middleburg AVA, Monticello AVA, North Fork of Roanoke AVA, Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA, Rocky Knob AVA, Shenandoah Valley AVA, Virginia's Eastern Shore AVA
Total area 42,774 square miles (110,784 km2)
Grapes produced Aglianico, Albariño, Barbera, Black Muscat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cayuga, Chambourcin, Chancellor, Chardonel, Chardonnay, Colombard, Concord, Corot noir, De Chaunac, Fer, Gewürztraminer, Graciano, Grüner Veltliner, Malbec, Malvasia, Marechal Foch, Merlot, Munson, Muscat Canelli, Muscat Ottonel, Nebbiolo, Niagara, Norton, Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Pinotage, Primitivo, Riesling, Rkatziteli, Roussanne, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Scheurebe, Semillon, Seyval blanc, Steuben, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Tinta Cão, Touriga Nacional, Traminette, Trebbiano, Verdelho, Vidal blanc, Vignoles, Villard blanc, Viognier, Zinfandel[1]

Virginia wine refers to wine made primarily 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, and only within the last twenty years has the industry developed beyond novelty status. By tonnage, Vitis vinifera varieties represents 75% of total production. French hybrids varieties account for nearly 20% of total wine grape production in the state, while American varietals make up only about 5% of the total. As of 2012, the top 5 varietals produced are Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Vidal blanc and Viognier.[2]

As of 2012, the state has approximately 3,000 acres (12 km2) under cultivation, with a total harvest of over 7,500 tons. The state ranks fifth in the nation for both bearing acreage and grape production.[3] The central and northern Virginia counties, in particular those located just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, account for the significant majority of the state's production.[2]

History

The vineyard at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home did not produce wine until the late 20th century.

In the early 1900s, Charlottesville'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."[4][5]

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 2012 there were over 230 wineries operating in Virginia. Almost all of these are small, family-owned vineyards and wineries, and only the very largest have developed distribution networks. As a result, the wineries rely on wine tourism and direct sales for most of their revenue. To encourage visitors, they often play host to special events with music, food, and other activities.[6] As Virginia wines sold in Virginia have the requirement that the majority of the grapes used must be grown in Virginia, and since Virginia is not growing enough grapes to support the number of wineries, one Floyd County winery has expanded its operation in a five-year contract to export its wines to China. Chateau Morrisette, with the help of Governor Bob McDonnell's office, will be exporting its Merlot to China, and plans to add other wines later.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Appellation America (2007). "Virginia: Appellation Description". Retrieved Nov. 16, 2007.
  2. 1 2 "2012 Virginia Commercial Grape Report". Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office. March 18, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Governor McDonnell Announces Sales of Virginia Wine Reach New All-Time High". Office of the Governor of Virginia. January 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ Leahy, Richard (February 19, 2008). "Virginia Wine: Nearly Four Centuries and Counting". Retrieved November 30, 2008. In Charlottesville, the Monticello Wine Company, operating with grapes grown by co-op members, won a major international award in 1873 at the Vienna Exposition for a “Virginia claret” based on Norton.
  5. ↑ "Historical Highway Markers: Monticello Wine Company". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Realising Jefferson's Wine Vision" (PDF). Sommelier India. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  7. ↑ The Roanoke Times, July 7, 2013
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