Joe Rosenberg > wrote:

: I just tasted wines for the VA Governors Cup. Wines from this region are a
: lot better than 20 years ago. I'd rate the Finger Lakes as the best
: viticultural area in the East--MD & VA and Long Island are a step or so
: behind. Virginia is better on dry whites then Md but Md cabs and chambourcin
: are better than Va's.

Oh my God, I can't disagree more. I've lived in MD for ~20 years and have
tasted many VA and MD wines over that time. Both have made remarkable
strides, but VA is far more mature (read better) than MD. The only winery
worth the trip in MD is Elk Run, who makes very nice Cabs (Sauvignon and
Franc) and a delicious port-style wine. I'm very liberal and forgiving
at tastings, but there were very few palatable wines at the Wine in the
Woods.

Virginia has many excellent Cabs which can compete with those on the left
coast (it also has some that suck). The 1998 Barboursville Cab Franc was
one of the best I've ever tasted anywhere. The balance and harmony were
shockingly spectacular. It's faded a bit now to show it's Merlot
contribution, but it's still very good.

: To get a more balanced perspective you really need to visit Basignani and
: Catoctin.

Catoctin is a few miles from my house (I live in Olney) and they are the
worst of the bunch. The unoaked Chardonnay is decent, but everything
else, whites and reds, are weak and reeking of oak.

: Linganore is great on marketing but
: embarrassment on wine.

On this we agree - if you want a juvenile fruit wine, Linganore is your
winery!

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Dave Bolvin


"Every man has the right to a glass of wine. And after a
glass of wine, you are a different man".
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