The Virginia Wine Experience in London Selects 64 Virginia Wines to Showcase at Historic Wine Tasting in May 2007London media and wine trade members set to taste, experience unique versatility and variety of Virginia wines
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — February 21, 2007 — The Virginia Wine Experience in London, LLC, today announced the results of its qualifying round to determine which wines will represent Virginia at a historic May 2007 wine tasting in London, England. After tasting more than 88 wines from 33 Virginia wineries, the qualifying wines to be presented at the London wine tasting represent a diverse range from sparkling wines and meritage blends to the native Norton grape. A complete list of the Virginia wines can be found at wineries on the website.
"We are pleased to be taking 64 high-quality wines to pour for media and trade members in London. They truly represent the best quality in today’s Virginia wines," said Richard Leahy, executive director of the Virginia Wine Experience in London, LLC.
The one-day qualifying round took place at White Hall Vineyards and featured a panel of ten wine experts tasting the full range of Virginia wines from vintage sparkling to dessert styles. The selected wines will be introduced to an exclusive audience of media and wine trade members at the renowned Vinopolis wine tasting venue in London on May 2nd, 2007, and presented as worthy of comparison to fine wines from any region on the world stage.
The theme at the Virginia Wine Experience in London will be “Virginia, First in Wine” – a reference to both the history and quality of Virginia’s wine. “Since this is the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, now is an excellent time to highlight the fact that Virginia was the first place in North America where English settlers deliberately set out to produce wine,” noted Leahy. “We believe Londoners will appreciate the historical significance of our theme, and it’s a tremendous opportunity to showcase recent progress in the Virginia wine industry.”
Virginia is both literally and stylistically between California and Europe. Due to its favorable Mid-Atlantic location – between North and South – Virginia wines represent both New World and Old World wine making styles. Leahy noted further that Virginia’s climate produces the most versatile range of fine wines in the Eastern United States.
Leahy points out that Virginia is on the cutting edge of the regional wine industry, with a national reputation for Viognier and with major awards in national and international competitions. "Our recent fine 2002 and 2005 vintages demonstrate just how far we’ve come, and we're looking forward to showing the British that their dream of establishing a world-class wine industry in Virginia has finally been realized,” said Leahy.
Virginia is known to produce a good wine for any palate. Varieties worthy of note include Chardonnay, fine red Bordeaux blends, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (two of the red Bordeaux varieties), Viognier (a white grape from the Rhone that many believe performs better in Virginia than anywhere else in the country), specialty varieties, such as Petit Manseng, and Virginia’s own native Norton grape.
A complete list of judges, participating wineries and the wines selected for presentation at the London event, in addition to photos from the qualifying event and more information about the The Virginia Wine Experience in London can be found at wineries.
The Virginia Wine Experience in London, LLC, was formed by six Virginia wineries (Keswick Vineyards, Kluge Estate Vineyard & Winery, Pearmund Cellars, White Hall Vineyards, Williamsburg Winery, and Veritas Winery), and is generously sponsored by the Farm Credit of Virginia and by Summer on The Lawn: The 1st Wine Seminar, Virginia's Wine Legacy: From Jefferson to the Present, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, June 13-17, 2007, and by TRAVEL&LEARN PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS...School of Continuing and Professional Studies, University of Virginia. WE OFFER YOU A WORLD OF IDEAS; Historic Settings - Special Tours - Intellectual Engagement Expert Faculty and Interesting Company From Around The Nation and Around The World andby Americas Cup of Polo.
Richard Leahy, the Executive Director, has written as a journalist on Virginia wine for 20 years, including acting as Mid-Atlantic and South Editor for the Oxford Companion to the Wines of North America, and he is currently the East Coast Editor for the trade magazine Vineyard & Winery Management.