Virginia: America’s Old World
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It doesn't get the media coverage that California does, but Virginia is tipped to be the next big thing in American wine. Jason Tesauro picks out the varieties and producers that are bringing the area to wider attention, at home and abroad.
Recent vintages
2012 Very good. Record early bud break led to early ripening. Producers who pruned performed very well.
2011 Uneven. Whites fared well, reds from northern regions ripened better than central producers who endured much September rain.
2010 Excellent. One of the driest vintages. Warmer-than-average summer led to early harvest. Balance/finesse for those who didn’t pick late.
2009 Outstanding. Wet spring, followed by a dry summer and beautiful September; hurricanes dodged in October. An even and ideal season destined to become a classic.
2008 Very good. Long growing season. Diligent canopy management and late harvest led to elegant, ageable wines.
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Jason Tesauro is an experienced wine writer, photojournalist and sommelier, based in Verona, Italy. He has written features on Virginian wines for Decanter Magazine, and has also contributed to The Washington Post, Travel+Leisure, The New York Times and Bloomberg. He is currently a contributing writer for Esquire magazine, while also freelancing for other titles.