Munchkin Enjoys a Most Civilized Wine Tasting

Vintage Ridge Vineyards

Rectorstown, VA

The Wine Dogs are in full agreement with Ernst Hemmingway, who observed "Wine is the most civilized thing in the world." At Vintage Ridge, they know how to make wine tasting an extremely civilized experience as well, with unique food pairings that are part of every tasting.

Vintage Ridge is one of the new Fauquier County wineries, opening its tasting room in September 2007. Although Pomeroy was unable to make the trip, a full squad was on hand... er, on paw... to greet Munchkin when she arrived on a mid-November afternoon.

The winery dogs include a pointer hound, an Austrailian shepherd, a chow and a spaniel. They led her to a warmly decorated tasting room, filled with tables and chairs, colorful murals, and a roomful of guests clearly enjoying the experience. Steel tanks, where the next vintage was fermenting, lined the room.

Enthusiastic host Bill Edmands, who started the winery with his wife Vicki in 2000 when they planted their first vines, warmly welcomed Munchkin and her party. He explained that along with the wines, they would enjoy an array of cheeses, sauces, chutneys, and meats intended to heighten the appreciation of the wine offerings.

The wines included both the 2006 and 2007 Maiden Voyage, a citrusy white wine beautifully enhanced by the appetizers. Other wines on the tasting list included a 2005 Cabernet Franc, 2006 Syrah, and the Summer Night 2007 and 2006 Late Harvest Vidal, described as "a dessert in itself."

Realizing that he had a true red wine connoisseur in house, Bill brought out his '04 Cab Franc, which was smooth and spicey. He followed up with the Petit Verdot, which Munchkin decided was top dog.

After enjoying a bottle and the rest of the appetizers, Munchkin was ready to join the Vintage Ridge pack.

Mom insisted she go home, but she looks forward to returning with Pomeroy to enjoy the view from the patio in April with Vintage Ridge reopens for the spring.

Munchkin's Grape Adventure

Barrel Oak Winery

Delaplane, VA

With the first batch of Wine Dog Wine safely in bottles and aging to perfection thanks to the expert guidance of teacher John Todhunter of Three Fox Vineyards, Munchkin and Pomeroy decided they were ready to strike out on their own.

They already had the equipment... but where to find fruit. Munchkin emailed her many winery friends announcing "Wine Dogs in Search of Grapes." After reviewing her offers, she selected Barrel Oak Winery for Wine Dogs 2.0.

IMPORTANT LESSON FOR WINEMAKERS: The timeline for winemaking is set by the grapes, not the winemaker. When the fruit is ripe, it's harvested. Once it's harvested, it's going to start fermenting whether you're ready or not.

Virginia had a good growing season in 2008, with a dry fall. But by the second week in October, the weather was starting to change, and the grapes came flying off the vines to be crushed and destemmed. So on Columbus Day, Munchkin high-tailed it to BOW, primary fermentation unit in paw. Winemaker Sharon Roeder generously opened up her vats and Munchkin chose the Virginia standard, Cab Franc. Of course.

Remembering her lessons, Munchkin knew the importance of good sanitation. Sharon helped her wash down the PFU before and after filling.

Then Munchkin, with a little assistance from Sharon, made sure the lid was on good and tight. Wouldn't want the grape juice sloshing around in the jeep!

Mission accomplished, Munchkin gave Sharon a big kiss to thank her for the grapes, which she knows will make a really fine wine.

October is Virginia Wine (Dog) Month

Munchkin and Pomeroy celebrate fall

with Redmund -- Pearmund Cellars' Wine Dog extraordiaire.

It was very clever of the Virginia Tourism folks to make October Virginia Wine Month. There's no better time to get out of the dog house and visit Virginia wine country than October. The days are cool and pleasant; the brilliant fall foliage creates a perfect backdrop for picnicking among the leaves with a bottle of Virginia's finest.

This year's 20th Anniversary theme is "Find the one you love," and with more than 130 wineries around the state (up from 30 when Virignia Wine Month started), there's plenty of great choices. You can sample several at one at festivals like the Mt. Vernon Wine Festival and Sunset Tour (Oct. 3-5) or the Shenandoah Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival (Oct. 17-17). The Wine Dogs hope to see there abd along the Blue Ridge Wine Way or Fauquier County Wine Trail. Click here for suggestions of 20 ways to celebrate Virginia Wine Month or read the write-up in USA Today
and the New York Times.

P.S. If you're looking to find the fur-baby you love, you might want to check out the Country Canine Jamborie on October 4 in Leesburg. There will be adoptable fuzzy furries on site, in addition to canine games and demonstrations, country cooking and lots of fun.

It's Greek to the Wine Dogs

Mediterranean Cellars

Warrenton, VA

The Wine Dogs decided to venture south, destination Mediterranean Cellars, Virginia’s own taste of Greece.

Passing between two white columns, Munchkin and Pomeroy entered the winery and were warmly greeted by Katie Papadopoulos, who started the winery with her husband, Louis, 18 years ago.

The five-year-old tasting room has the charm of a shop in the Greek countryside, with clean white walls and rich wood shelves filled with all kinds of goodies. Munchkin’s mouth was watering.

On one wall hangs a picture of Lucia Papadopoulos, Louis’s mother. Katie told us Louis is a third-generation goldsmith but has been making wine all his life, his first vintage in 1961 in his native Greece.

Against another is a portrait honoring Apollo, the house canine who followed from the gold shop. The Wine Dogs were sad to learn he passed away last year.

What started as a hobby for Louis has become a full-time vocation. He produces 13 wines, all made from grapes grown in Meediterranean's own vineyards.

Munchkin and Pomeroy found a perch by the tasting bar, and sampled the offerings – six whites, six reds, and one rose’. All of the wines were gentle and understated. Munchkin liked the honey tones and light, flirty taste of the 2005 Sweet Lucia. Pomeroy was attracted to the strong nose of the 2004 Chambourcin Special Reserve.

The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon was one of two Virginia cabs featured in London as part of the Jamestown 400th Anniversary celebration. Two years in oak produced with legs a model would envy (and Munchkin certainly does), and a long finish that reaches in and spreads through you.

Also notable is the Rechina, Mediterranean’s version of the wine that has graced Athenian dinner tables since the 13th century B.C. One can just imagine it complimenting grilled lamb and olives with its earthy scent of pine resin and spicy finish.

Selecting a bottle of the 2004 Romance, a light blend of Chambourcin and Merlot, the Wine Dogs retired to the arbor. Under a trellis dripping with grapes, surrounded by fountains and grecian urns, they enjoyed an afternoon repast of wine and bread and cheese. The map may say Virginia, but the feel is classic Greek.