Not often enough do we celebrate good fruit wines. Wine writers are always searching for the newest Vignonier or Cabernet Sauvignon, or some foreign wine. Fruit wines are not the hunting grounds of "serious" wine writers.
But I happen to like fruit wines, and if you wrinkle your nose at the mere mention (as if I'd foist something awful on anyone), unwrinkle your nose, and try this!
I was thrilled when I found this wine at the TasteCamp 2012 grand tasting of the second day.
The winery is owned by Jim and Lori Corcoran. Explains Jim, "The idea of growing grapes and having our own vineyard started taking shape in 2001, that year, we started prepping our fields for a trial planting of grapes and ordered our initial vines from Sonoma Grapevines. When the vines arrived in 2002, we planted the first block of Chardonnay grapes on our farm which is known as Corkys Farm in Waterford, Virginia, and that was the beginning of Corcoran Vineyards."
Lori Corcoran is the winemaker and proprietor of Corcoran Vineyards located in Loudoun County, VA. Corcoran is boutique winery which produces around 4000 cases.
Lori graduated from San Jose State University back in 1989 with a degree in Administration of Justice. Her intent was to join the FBI. Life is what happens while you're making other plans.
Lori has no formal education in winemaking. She explains that although she is the winemaker, the wine is truly made in the vineyard. Her partnerships with her growers has been the key to her success. And don't worry, she has taken numerous winemaking classes since starting the winery and keeps up to date with all the winery trade journals.
Wine making aside, Lori is also raising four kids on the farm. And she was one of the founding members of the Loudoun Wineries Association and continues to serve on the Visit Loudoun Board.
Impressive. And so was the apple wine.
This was a lovely apple wine. It was off-dry, so it had a hint of sweetness. But is also had nice, bright acidity, and a great nose. It smelled like a big, fresh, ripe apple. And better yet, it tasted delicious. It tasted like a light white wine with an apple profile. It's made from a blend of 100% local apples.
This wine will go beautifully with lots of different cheeses, it's great for sipping, and would also go with summer soups as well as go with fresh grilled vegetable or chicken!
Wonderful!