Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, Madiran is a small, yet historically significant wine region. Known for producing bold, structured red wines, Madiran is the birthplace of Tannat, a grape variety celebrated for its deep color, intense tannins, and exceptional aging potential. Despite its small size, the region has left a global footprint, influencing winemaking as far away as Uruguay, the United States, and beyond. With a rich history, a unique terroir, and a reputation for crafting age-worthy wines, Madiran is a region worth discovering.
Uruguay, nestled between Argentina and Brazil on the southeastern coast of South America, sits between 30- and 35-degrees south latitude. This places it in the same latitudinal range as renowned wine regions like Mendoza, Argentina, and Charleston, South Carolina, in the Northern Hemisphere. While Uruguay is geographically smaller than Washington state but slightly larger than New York, its influence in agriculture and winemaking is significant.
Is it February that just brings out the crazy need to feel somewhat romantic with your spouse? Maybe it’s just the time of year. Christmas was two months ago, and we all spent way too much and regretted it. All through January, most of us hibernated because it was just too dark outside to get out after work. But here is February. The depths of what should be winter, and we realize that actually spending time with people again is a good thing.
This week, City Vino is indeed twice thankful. We are first thankful for our staff, our customers, and club members for your support again this past year. We love to be able to expand our customer’s wine experiences by sharing wines from small producers and small lots that you will not find in a supermarket or a big chain wine shop. Being able to assist you to pick a bottle or two or twelve for your everyday table, family or friend gathering, or that incredibly special occasion, means so very much to us.
It is not the season of the year, yet, where the word “hark” is used freely in word and song, but in this case “Hark” is quite appropriate to this week at City Vino and to October, which is Virginia Wine Month.
Our timely “Hark” in this situation is Hark Vineyards, in Earlysville, Virginia
