It was time to take Bartlo’s Backyard on the road, so when Loudoun Wine Association announced its Loudoun Barrel Tasting event, I snatched a ticket and brought a friend along for the ride…and the wine.
This was a self-guided tour of Loudoun County, Virginia wineries. We went behind the scenes to taste wines prior to being bottled and laid to rest before being available to the public. At each vineyard, we met one of the wine makers who shared their wine making process and next steps. Each maker could have a slightly different process depending on the varietal, desired taste, and product.
It can take about 2 or 3 years to grow a good grape crop for harvest. The date on the bottle is the date in which the gapes were harvested. These wines are labeled 2021 but won’t be available until 2023. Even then, the reds can lay down for quite some time. The longer red wine lays down, the mellower it gets in color and in taste. They will also loose some wine over time because the corks are porous. White wines usually aren’t laying around someone’s collection too long, but if they are they get darker with time.
If the wine isn’t ready, why are we tasting it?
My husband asked this question with a crinkle in his nose. It’s simple – to be part of the wine production experience. The science of wine is fascinating, which is why wine lovers can be referred to as “wine nerds” versus “wine snobs.” Vineyard owners love to talk about their wines, and they may gain new customers. Take me for example, this was a great excuse to go winery hopping when I usually relax at my home base of 8 Chains North.
Know what you’re getting into before you try the wine. The wine is young. Tannins in red wine are alive with excitement. At this stage, it’s a party in the barrel until they can be bottled and made to mellow out. The whites may be cloudy and unrecognizable because they have not been filtered. This can be a trying experience for young palates. My palate is pretty developed and there were a few reds that sucked the moisture from my mouth. That’s not bad, it’s just young and the tannins haven’t gotten together with their dance partner for perfect balance yet. However, there were a few that already tasted good so I can’t wait to taste their finished product.
Do they actually take the from the barrel?
Yes, they do. They open the top and siphon some out with a wine thief. This is used throughout the process by the cellar rat. Each winery has a cellar rat and it’s that person’s job to stir the wines and taste it. The wine maker also tastes throughout the process, so they know when the wine is ready to bottle. Don’t worry…there are not a bunch of punch-drunk wine makers running around the cellars. They spit the wine into a spittoon.
Which wine surprised me the most?
The Chenin Blanc at Walsh Family Wine. I’ve never seen a white wine looking like lemonade. Kent, our wine guide, explained that this white has had skin contact to give it a richer color. Tasting straight from the barrel before the wine is filtered gives it this opaque look. When the delicious nectar touched my mouth there was such a delightful taste. I really can’t wait to try this when it comes out.
This enticed us enough to hang out in their wonderful space for a flight tasting and some snacks. I purchased the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2019 Merlot.
Which wine sucked the moisture from my mouth?
That would be the 8 Chains North Petite Verdot. Don’t worry, it’s supposed to do that at this stage. It was one of the first sips of the day, but I was prepared for it. The Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon were young and tight, but I could already tell they were going to be good when they matured.
We began our journey here because I believe starting from home base always sets a good tone for the day. I’ve been a member of 8 Chains North for many years now. It’s a humble, cozy winery with a beautiful view. The head wine maker likes a nice bold red, but he produces some refreshing whites too. The three we tasted from the barrel were home-grown Virginia varietals, but sometimes they like to get grapes from Washington State and then produce the wine here. My favorite has always been their Furnace Mountain Red. I call it Christmas in a glass.
What was my surprise purchase of the day?
Maggie Malick’s Wine Cave is quite the experience. Lions stand guard as you drive down a hill to what almost looks like a Hobbit house. Upon entry, smiling faces give you a warm welcome guiding you down the Boulevard of Bordeaux (a pathway of wine leading to the tasting room). They have the traditional Virginia varietals – Cab Franc, Cab Sav, Merlot, Alberino, Sav Blanc, and many more. They also have the Tannat. Watch out when she comes to the party because she likes to make her presence known. This bold lady won’t just announce herself, she may walk up an smack you in the face. Be sure to decant a Tannat for about 45 minutes to an hour to let her calm down, then she’ll be pleasant to enjoy with a meal.
Our wine barrel tasting guides suggested we talk to Russ and sample their Port Wine selections. Russ was fantastic. His knowledge of the wines paired with understanding our preferences was a great end to the day. I purchased Maggie Malick’s Wine Cave Licor de Tannat, one of their two ports. I can’t wait to enjoy this baby after dinner by the firepit!
No matter your wine preference – white vs red, Old Word vs New World, West Coast vs East Coast – remember that the best wine is the one shared with friends!
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