9 posts
behind the cork
2022 Michael Shaps Wild Meadow Chardonnay ($28) Nestled in the woods just south of Charlottesville, Michael Shaps Winery blends Old World tradition with Virginia terroir. Founded in 2007 by acclaimed winemaker Michael Shaps, the winery is known for ...
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general
Wine may be fermented and aged in a variety of materials including stainless steel, oak and ceramic vessels, including concrete. The use of oak barrels is very common and its use dates back to the early days of Roman wine making. While stainless ste...
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behind the cork
2023 Potomac Point Winery Albariño ($35) When Potomac Point Winery & Vineyard was founded in 2007, Skip & Cindi Causey set out to make exceptional wine complete with an immersive experience rich in European ambiance and Virginia hill-side be...
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An Amphora Wine Vessel (Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay ) Oak barrels are often the choice of a wine maker for an aging vessel. But, did you know, stainless steel, concrete and amphora are also used by wine makers in order to achieve the w...
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behind the cork
2023 Paradise Springs Cabernet Franc ($42) Located in the town of Clifton, VA and bordering the Bull Run River, Paradise Springs is the closest winery to Washington DC and the first in Fairfax County. The property was originally part of a land grant...
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Aging of a wine before bottling is a balance between the wine’s inherent qualities and the winemaker’s goals. The decision often involves experimentation, understanding the vineyard, and following the wine’s natural development over time. Here are...
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behind the cork
2023 DuCard Vineyards Vintner Reserve Cabernet Franc ($60) DuCard Vineyards has been growing grapes for nearly two decades at their property, nestled at the eastern edge of the Shenandoah National Park in the shadow of Old Rag Mountain and White Oak...
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general
A wine maker using a Wine Thief to remove wine from a barrel for tasting Winemakers rely heavily on their senses of smell and taste to evaluate the evolution of their wine from the grapes in the vineyard to the final product that goes in the bottle...
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behind the cork
2023 Veritas Vineyards Monticello White Blend ($35) Veritas Winery was started by Andrew and Patricia Hodson in 1999. Born out of their love of wine and commitment to producing quality wine, Veritas has grown into a 20-year-old family business that ...
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