Wine Dogs Make Wine: Lesson 2 (Primary Fermentation)

Three Fox Vineyards
Delaplane, VA
This week the Wine Dogs got to 1) meet all our fellow classmates, and 2) start primary fermentation of our wine. First thing John told us was that we have to clean, clean, clean. Pomeroy sheds and we don't want any "hair of the dog" in our wine. So we all sprayed down our primary fermentation units (aka buckets) with B-Brite and rinsed. As you can see, we are using very sophisticated equipment.

At last, we are ready for the good stuff. John showed us how to open our home wine kits, which contained the "must", a fancy word for grape juice. Munchkin and Pomeroy supervised as we poured it into the bucke... er, primary fermentation unit. It reminded Munchkin of the Welch's frozen concentrate -- except these are not Concord, but reserve French cabernet grapes. Still, we mixed it with water just like Mommy does to the Welch's, and the taste we snuck (it just dripped out, honest) was very sweet. In fact, we tested the sugar (or Brix), and it measured 17.53 percent. That's going to change once the little yeasties get in there and start turning the sugar into alcohol. We put six grams of yeast into our six gallons of wine. There's a couple of other measures we're watching. We've got a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity (right now, 1.072), and pH strips, which gave us a starting pH of 3.2.

So far, I'd say winemaking is pretty easy, unless you're the yeast. We left them to do the work while Munchkin and Pomeroy went back to the winery and enjoyed a bottle of CabFranc (and a bottle of Merlot) with our new classmate, Elisabeth Morgan, in honor of the Patron Saint of Wine Dogs.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Munchkin, Pomeroy and our Three Fox friends - Milano, Della, and Giovanni!

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Wine Dogs Make Wine

Three Fox Vineyards, Delaplane, VA
Your favorite wine dogs are about to become winemakers. Munchkin and Pomeroy have enrolled in the home winemaking course offered by John Todhunter of Three Fox Vineyards. John started out as a home winemaker -- for 30 years -- before following his dream and opening Three Fox with wife Holli.

Classes are on Saturday, but because of a conflict, we had a make-up lesson for the orientation on Sunday. We met classmates Joe and Bethany, who are already experienced home-winemakers. The closest we've come is when Pomeroy's Dad left apple cider in the refrigerator to ferment.

We're getting a real winemaking kit, with buckets and carboys and oak chips. We're making Cabernet Sauvignon -- 2-1/2 cases worth, as are five others in our class. Three adventurous groups will be making a Zinfandel-Shiraz blend, and two groups, including Joe and Bethany, making Sangiovese. That's one of Three Fox's specialties, and we got to taste some yummy wine from the barrel, as well as a full set of the current wines thanks to Holli -- the perfect hostess.

Keep watching. We'll be posting after each lesson.

Wine Dogs Hang Out at La Grange

THE WINERY AT LAGRANGE, Haymarket, Virginia

When the weather outside is frightful, the Winery at La Grange offers a warm and inviting setting for wining away the afternoon.

La Grange opened in 2006. It is the sister to Pearmund Cellars, and is producing its own distincitive collection of wines, marked by Chris & Company's high quality.

But beware of ghosts! Thirsty spirits haunt this winery... getting ornery when someone forgets to leave a glass of wine on the tasting room mantle (they prefer the Norton). Send those ghosties to Obedience School.

Munchkin and Pomeroy visited the historic 18th Century manor house on a icy cold, blustery Saturday... the kind of weather no dog should be out in. The tasting room filled up quickly. Everyone joined in trying to guess the answer to the question of the week: Which country produces the most hectaliters of wine a year? Guess wrong and we'll give you the boot (hint, hint).

Cheryl guided us through the standard tasting featuring seven wines - 3 whites, 4 reds - followed by the reserve tasting - 4 more reds. The tasting finished with the Snort - not a reference to Munchkin's breathing, but the name of La Grange's port-style wine. Interestingly, this is not the area's first fine port-style wine. In the 1800s, Robert Portner's vineyard in the area grew grapes for the "Pride of Virginia Port" and won a bronze medal. And to come full circle, Pomeroy lives on a street named for Mr. Portner, who also made a great beer.

Back to the wines. Pomeroy's Dad liked the 2006 CabFranc, with it's peppery finish. The 2006 Fletcher's Charonnay was also a winner. Produced Old World style, without malolactic fermentation, it takes a smokey taste from the oak but is not buttery. The 2006 Tannat was another excellent selection, and will age well. But Munchkin decided the Paws Down favorite was the 2005 Reserve Petit Verdot.

We took a bottle to enjoy in front of a warm fire. Pomeroy chose this elegantly furnished parlor. La Grange has a double set of fireplaces, the legacy of a marital tiff after which owner Benoni Harrison vowed never again to share a hearth with his wife.

For an entirely different experience, check out the cellar at La Grange. The Wine Dogs are especially fond of this room, with its stone walls, wooden tables, and low beamed ceilings (they feel right at home). And the thoughtful proprieters have put out a variety of games and other trivial pursuits. Whatever room you choose, La Grange is a great place to hang out!

MUNCHKIN’S HOLIDAY GIFT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WINE LOVERS

Your favorite Wine Dog Blogger, Munchkin, has put together a list of gifts from Virginia Wine Country. No matter your taste, you’ll find something here to set any wine lovers’ tail a waggin’.

SIGNATURE RED: 2005 Estate Series Cabernet Franc, Fox Meadow Winery, $27
Cab Franc is becoming a signature Virginia wine, and there’s none better than this gem from our neighborhood winery on Blue Mountain. The peppery FMV Cabernet Franc took Best of Show at the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition this year… not bad for a winery that opened its doors last May.

SIGNATURE WHITE: 2005, 2006 Viognier, Rappahannock Cellars,
Virginia’s signature white is the Viognier, and nobody does it better than Rappahannock. After claiming the 2006 Governor’s Cup (and a host of other awards) for the 2005 Reserve, Rappahannock earned double golds this year for its 2006 Viognier.

CLASSIC WHITE: 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, Miracle Valley Vineyard
Mom and I checked out this new addition to Virginia Wine Country just before Thanksgiving (loved meeting Turbo, their Jack Russell). The Reserve Chardonnay is fermented in both Hungarian and then American oak for a truly rich, smoky flavor that was wonderful with turkey.

ROBUST RED: 2006 Ameritage Reserve, Pearmund Cellars, $29
As in “American Heritage,” this rich red wine is produced by blending the vineyard’s best Bordeaux grapes, including the scrumptious Cabernet Sauvignon from the barrel owned by Pomeroy’s dad. Just out this month, this is a full-bodied wine that will warm your toes (good thing, ‘cause it knocks your socks off).

MULLED WINE: 2006 Chambourcin, James River Wine Cellars, $14
Visited this winery with Uncle Jeff and discovered a perfect wine for cold winter nights. This sweet but dry spicy red makes a lovely mulled wine without any fuss. Just warm it on the stove (or even in the microwave) with a dash of cinnamon or cloves and enjoy!

SPARKLING WINE: Monticello Brut, Barboursville Vineyards, $16.99
Toast the New Year in style with the best little bubbly in Virginia. Barboursville created this classic sparkling wine based on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, using the "Charmat" style of Thomas Jefferson, father of the Virginia wine industry (the Octagon at the Barbour estate was designed by TJ himself).

DESSERT WINE: Vin de Sol, Pearmund Cellars, $25
This aptly named “Sun Wine” is created by aging late harvest Vidal in glass jugs on the winery’s roof (the old Spanish style for producing Sherry). The result is a golden liquor with nutty aromas and dried apricot flavors. Great for sipping after a meal, or pour over ice cream in a pastry shell.

COMMEMORATIVE WINE: Spirit (White, $20), Voyage (Red, $20), Courage (Port, $25), Horton Vineyards
Wine collectors and history buffs alike will treasure Horton’s special commemorative wines marking Jamestown’s 400th anniversary. The labels depict the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery on their voyage to the New World to establish the first permanent English settlement.

COZY ACCOMMODATIONS: Hot Tub Heaven Properties

For a convenient place to stay while picking up your wines, or to give someone a relaxing weekend in Blue Ridge wine country, you can’t do better than Hot Tub Heaven. Each of the four well-appointed vacation chalets and cabins is comfortable and homey and feature hot tubs. Of course, they’re pet friendly. Tell Tom and Deneanne that Munchkin sent you.

Wine Dogs Drink Naked... Well Duh!

NAKED MOUNTAIN WINERY, Markham, VA

A beautiful Saturday afternoon brought us up to the lush fields of Naked Mountain Winery, one of the oldest wineries in Virginia. I think they must have been expecting us at Naked Mountain, because the front door had a sign that said "Attention. Chien Bizarre!"

We had an extensive interview with Phoebe Harper, who built Naked Mountain with her husband, Bob, 31 years ago. At the time, they were one of five wineries in the state... today, Virginia has over 80 and is still growing. With all the awards VA wines are winning, some are calling the Old Dominion State the New Napa.

Naked Mountain's Petit Verdot 2004 won a gold medal in the Virginia State wine competition this year. Because of their inventory, Naked Mountain is able to let their wines age a little longer, and it certainly made for a yummy PV! The wines were so good, in fact, that Pomeroy finally broke down and got a few licks in himself. Usually, I have to drink alone. I guess he heard Naked Mountain wines have been served at the White House. Twice. He's fav was the Merlot.

As you can see, we were both pretty much in the bag after Cousin Drew, the marketing and sales manager, guided us through three whites and three reds... we're not really related, but Drew is a Hauser too, although a bit taller than my side of the family.

We chose the signature Chardonnay to take out to the deck and enjoy... very fruit forward and a great summer sipper. We were entertained by several tiny hummingbirds taking frequent sips of their own from the feeder. We were assured it contained nector, not wine, although the Riesling was very sweet. You could say hummingbirds are the toy dogs of the avian world.

Turns out the true Chien Bizarre was long-time winery dog Freddie, a black lab/hound who went to the Rainbow Bridge in January. But this dog-friendly winery still collects for the Fauquier County Animal Welfare League in his honor..

Three Foxes become Five

July 22, 2007
THREE FOX VINEYARDS, Delaplane, Virginia
A burst of vibrant flowers greeted us as we pulled into Three Fox Vineyards on a picture perfect Sunday afternoon. Wine and winery style are both Italian (owner Holli Todhunter is off to Italy next week), which makes for a charming setting.

Three Foxes lives up to its reputation as a dog-friendly winery. We perrched on the stools for the tasting -- Munchie likes to get her licks in. Ellen and Jake, whose T-shirts proclaim they "work for wine" led us through a flight of five whites, followed by five reds, providing a plethora of good choices.

The yummy bottle of the Allouette Cabernet Franc we bought to take outside opened up nicely during a game of bocci ball. There were plenty of options for outside seating... we chose the catbird's perch at the top of the hill. The sparseness of the new plantings contrasted with the lush mature vines bursting with grapes.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch, then Pom napped while Munchie played frisbee. After a second bottle of wine, we finished with a trip to the creek, where Munchie cooled off and Uncle Jeff enjoyed the comfy hammocks. La dolce vita, indeed!