Veramar Awards

Local Wine Earns International Recognition

Northern Virginia – Veramar Vineyard’s 2007 Cabernet Franc garnered one of the highest scores ever awarded to a Virginia wine by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Calling the wine “Seductive” and highlighting the complex layers of blackberry, plum and cinnamon” the tasting panel found the wine to be among the best with a score of 87.

The Cabernet Franc also received accolades from across the pond. Finding the wine at a Kensington Whole Foods, British wine writer Jaime Goode remarked on the wine’s “lovely purity of fruit, and real old world elegance”. He scored the wine as a 90 and called the Veramar Cabernet Franc “really delicious and quite serious”

The expressive fruit character of the Cabernet Franc starts in the vineyard with active vineyard management designed to promote vitality and vigor in the vines. The 2007 Cabernet Franc also benefits from 12 months in French and American oak barrels where the well integrated undertones develop their complexity. A boutique winery by design, Veramar produced 350 cases of the 2007 Cabernet Franc.

Veramar Vineyards Winemaker Justin Bogaty said, “My goal is to grow wines that support Virginia as a leading wine region. Cabernet Franc has a rich history in Bordeaux as a blending grape. As an independent varietal, especially in our vineyards, the spice undercurrents are more pronounced. Based on the way the wine matured in the barrel, this profile may become more evident with appropriate bottle aging. The Veramar Cabernet Franc, like Virginia, is great now but has the potential to be even greater”.

Located less than an hour from Washington, DC, Veramar Vineyards’ one hundred acre estate is at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Northern Virginia winery and tasting room is open daily from Noon until 5 pm. For more information visit www.veramar.com or call 540-955-5510
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The case of the “wine cellar” or “a dozen wines for all times”

The case of the “wine cellar” or “a dozen wines for all times”

Living the Good Life by Jim Bogaty owner Veramar Vineyard

It’s cheaper by the dozen, for an everyday wine cellar, all you need are strong shelves, a cool spot and 12 bottles (one case) of wine. Always keep a bottle of sparkling wine and a bottle of white ready to drink in the refrig. Between that and the 10 in the rack, you’ll have a case that is ready “just in case”.

½ dozen any time wines - 3 Whites and 3 Reds
Three bottles each of Cabernet Franc (Cab-er-nay Fronc) and Chardonnay (Shard-don-a) or Pinot Grigio (Pee-no-Gree-gee-oh). Great all-purpose wines for almost any occasion. These should be simple Virginia wines you'd be just as happy drinking with a weekday dinner. Others- For whites, a Seyval Blanc (Say-voll-Blonc), Viognier (Vee-on-yea) or a Chardonnay is a good choice; if it doesn't have too much oak, it pairs with everything and works in any sauce. For red, a Virginia Cabernet Franc or Chambourcin (Sham-boor-san) are versatile to cook with and easy to drink.

Special White
Like that Virginia Gold Medal Chardonnay or Viognier you’ve been dying to try.

Wild White
Riesling (Reez-ling) or a soft white blend like Veramar Tres Blanc that goes wonderfully with Asian flavours or other ethnic spicy foods.

Special Red
A heritage blend or as we say here in Virginia, “Meritage”, an interesting Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon and Merlot blend that makes a red Bordeaux for a great pasta wine.

Big Red
Wine for that night you feel like plopping a steak on the grill. This can be full-bodied Cabernet or a Norton, --or whatever chewy red you like with red meat.

Ice, late harvest or dessert wine
Virginia has some excellent wines in this area, the late harvest Vidal Blanc (Vee-doll-Blonc) works great.

Sparkling Wine.
Brut (Broot) a sparkling blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Usually dry.
One goes in the fridge for a spur-of-the-moment celebration.

Now, that's a case you can solve. The beautiful part is you get to have wine on demand, and you only need to replenish, as your stash gets low and most Virginia wineries offer a discounts on a case- cheaper by the dozen. Cheers!

Cheers from Veramar Vineyard
Jim Bogaty