“Wine-ing” in Virginia
Virginia Wine Travel Journal 2019
Author: Nancy Bauer
Photographer: Rick Collier
Publisher: Virginia Wine in My Pocket; 2nd edition (2019)
Reviewed by Ralph Peluso, Literary Editor
Zebra Rating – 5 Stripes
ALEXANDRIA,VA-With baseball season in full swing, I could not resist a twist on the famous Tom Hanks quote from the great movie, A League of Their Own. Yes, there is wine-ing in Virginia!
Nancy Bauer has enhanced my perspective about Virginia wines and area wineries, ranging from good to Napa Valley East. Talking about Virginia Wine Travel Journal 2019, Bauer says, “I want this book to do three things: inspire readers to become enthusiasts and get out into Virginia wine country more often; encourage all enthusiasts to get curious about what it takes to create what’s in their glass, because greater knowledge translates to greater appreciation. Finally, I’d like readers to serve as an army of advocates for wine tourism in our state.
“Do not be shy,” she says. “Talk it up with friends, family, and out-of-state visitors. Wine as a tourist attraction is a great thing. It develops the economy in depressed rural areas. Many family farms would have disappeared if not for Virginia’s wine industry.”
Nancy’s work combines the facts with an array of fascinating geographic locations. She offers places to visit that fit nearly every taste and wallet size. One fact is that Virginia is the U.S.’s 7th largest wine producing state. There are more than 300 wineries stretching from the Atlantic coast to the southwest panhandle.
The book is chock full of useful, interesting information. Virginia has created, as the author refers to them, “new-to-you grapes.” Virginia vintners make beautiful chardonnay and cabernet franc, of course. But do not miss out on the albariño or petit manseng or petit verdot, just a sampling from the new to you group.
Planning a romantic getaway? Delve into the weekend wine excursion itineraries. You’ll soon be humming along on a bucolic drive to your destination of choice. Nancy has included an easy checklist to track your winery adventures.
Not all the wineries are rated as equal. Some are very modest, while others move toward destination-location elegant. My favorites are wineries that combine ambience like music with fun wines.
