We're Back!!

It has been a very busy winter.
Where do I start?
Before the holidays we had the sad news of “Corky”, my father-in-law, having suffered a severe stroke…he was one of our most enthusiastic & vibrant tasting room staff…he is doing GREAT now and we hope to have him back in the tasting room some day.

The wine is doing great…we feel that 2008 turned out to be a pretty decent year here in Virginia. Looking forward to bottling soon since we are currently sold out of our 2007 Viognier…yikes!!

We are ready to be back open both Saturday and Sunday from 12-5 pm as the spring is fast approaching. With all the sunshine heading our way means that we are closer to opening our herb garden. This will be a once a month experience not to be missed. Tasting the herbs and then tasting wine and seeing how they enhance one another, is awesome. So starting next weekend, February 28th and March 1st, Corcoran Vineyards will be open 12-5pm. Check our website for the opening of the herb/aroma garden soon.

We also have a couple of very exciting events this month…Thursday, February 26th Corcoran has teamed up with Magnolias at the Mill in Purcellville, VA to offer a wine dinner. Check the Events page for the menu…yum!

On Saturday, February 28th, Mary Watson DeLauder comes to Corcoran Vineyards to offer a first and only tasting of her Mary’s Cuvee. It’s a red wine blend made exclusively for Mary in a very limited production. This is a must have for your cellar.

Cheers…

"Tis the Season..."

...for presents, family, fun and libations and all this girl wants for Christmas is wine. So I have set out once again to expand my palate and illuminate my taste buds with some international varieties. I have come to love the white grape, Viognier, but I know that there are many other white wines out there. I have now discovered a grape which is a popular white in Spain & Portugal, Albariño. I would say that an Albariño bridges the gap for all those white wine drinkers who at holiday parties have the hard decision of settling between the ever now so popular choices of Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay. Try something different this year. You can find some very decently priced wines (which is a plus in this economy) with this varietal. In Spain you'll find Albariño from the Rias Biaxas region (northwestern part of Spain) These are very good and have a little more body than ones from Portugal. Portugal's region of Vinho Verde is where you will find Albariño and is very cheaply priced. These are a little lighter bodied but have all the beautiful flavors of lemon pith, lime, and slight flint. So do yourself and all your holiday guests a favor this year, open their eyes to one of the hundreds of varieties that another part of our world offers and let that be your early New Years Resolution.

My "Fieldtrip" to Local Vineyards

The past few weeks I have fortunately been able to experience what it is like on the other side of the bar. A few years ago I had frequented the local wineries A LOT (but I won't say how much, that can stay my secret) Because of work, kids, life, etc. I had let my hobby go by the wayside...but not anymore. I was able to go to some wineries in Loudoun, Fauquier & even Prince William. What a eye opening experience to be able to see what other wineries are doing. Virginia is really upping its game for experience, variety, knowledge & scenery. I was very pleased with the service I got at most places but I will say that some could rethink their customer service. I was disappointed in one "unnamed" place as I had set my itinerary of daily wineries around this one in particular which I felt did not deliver. All in all, though, who can complain all that much when going to wineries. The nice thing about Virginia wineries is that you get a laid back yet informed ambiance. I feel very lucky to have all of this low key culture around me to satisfy my hobby.