On Tuesday February 25, 2020, the Virginia Wineries Association announced the 12 wines that comprised the Virginia Governor’s Cup Case from their annual competition, which represent the highest scoring wines. The top wine in the case is the Virginia Governor’s Cup winner. For 2020, the Virginia Governor’s Cup was presented by Governor Ralph Northam to winemaker Carl DiManno from 868 Estate Vineyards in Purcellville, Virginia, for their 2017 Vidal Blanc Passito. This is the first time a winery located in Loudoun County, and the first wine made from hybrid (non-vinifera) grapes, has earned the trophy.
When the word ‘petite’ or ‘petit’ is part of a grape variety name, it indicates the size of the berries. Size matters as the smaller the grape, the less juice it will yield. In addition, the grape will have more surface area of skin relative to the amount of juice. Red wine made from smaller berried grapes can be more pigmented and more tannic as there is less juice to dilute these characteristics.
Italy is famous for its treasure trove of indigenous grapes, and this week, City Vino features a couple of these treasures with you. Both Negroamaro and Gaglioppo hail from Italy’s southern regions of Puglia and Calabria.
The first vines brought to Chile came via Spanish Conquistadors as early as the 1500s. Immigrants from Europe would bring more varieties to Chile, especially from Bordeaux in the 1800s. As of 2020, 70 percent of Chilean wine production is exported.
A red blend is a designation or description indicating that the bottle contains more than one grape variety. Red blends can be made in traditional style, such as a Bordeaux or Rhône wine, or with any combination of grapes that the winemaker desires, if it is in alignment with the local wine laws. Wine laws can dictate what grapes can be used and in what proportion.
