Uncorked: Charlottesville Wineries

“We could in the United States make as great a variety of wines as are made in Europe, not exactly of the same kinds, but doubtless as good.” - Thomas Jefferson

Charlottesville is quite possibly, one of my favorite cities I’ve ever lived in. The city has some of the best food, shops, and of course wineries. During my last year living in Charlottesville, I quickly learned what I could about the wineries and vineyards that the city had. Anytime I had the chance to visit my college city post-undergrad, I’d make it my mission to try and revisit local vineyards or wineries.

Today, I’m sharing two new wineries that I made it my goal to try earlier this year: Barboursville Vineyards and Michael Shaps Wineworks. Also, I am sharing the wines we brought back home, and how you can buy them!

Barboursville Vineyards

Headed to Library 1821

Enjoying wine in Library 1821

What we brought home from Barboursville Vineyards

Sparkling

• Brut & Brut Rosé Cuvée 1814 - Both bottles were fermented with 100% Pinot Noir grapes in Italy. This was collaboration with Tenuta II Bosco and Barboursville Vineyards, and it was an absolute hit.

Reds

• Cabernet Sauvignon - Cab Sauv holds a special place in my heart, and this did not disappoint. This wine has the perfect balance of berry, pepper, and currant notes on the palate. If you like to age your wines this is a amazing bottle to do so.

• Cabernet Franc - You cannot mention Virginia, without saying Cabernet Franc. This is actually one of my favorite grapes, and Barbousville did right by this wine. The notes on this wine exude berries, plum, cherries, and are aged 12 months in French Oak. This wine is so balanced, and each note is a compliment in this bottle.

• Petit Verdot - The notes on this wine resemble licorice and black currant. This wine has bold tannins, rich, and very complex. I absolutely love the dark fruit in this wine and it absolutely well done.

• 2015 Octagon, 18th Edition - This is one of the best wines I have ever had, hands down. I remember trying this at a local wine festival years ago, but was unable to purchase it. Our visit to this winery was solely off of this wine, and I’m so glad we made the trip. This wine gets better with age, and will be perfect to uncork in a few years. It is 50% Merlot, 30% Petit Verdot, and 20% Cabernet Franc, all of my favorite reds in one bottle.

A barrel of Octagon

Indulging in chocolates from Pod & Vine

Michael Shaps Wineworks

The entrance to the winery

Taking in the view of Michael Shaps Wineworks wine collection

What we brought home from Michal Shaps Wineworks

Sparkling

• Crémant de Bourgogene - This bottle of bubbly is crisp and has the perfect balance of acidity. The grapes are grown in France, and this bottle produced in the classic méthode traditionelle process. Also, it is aged in stainless steel for about a year prior to being bottled, which gives it the crisp and clean notes.

• Crémant Rose de Bourgogene - This sparkling has the Pinot Noir grape, and has had minimal contact with the skin, thus giving it a nice color. Also, it has gone under the same bottling and fermentation process as the former wine mentioned as well.

Reds

• Petit Verdot - This wonderfully complex Petit Verdot, is high in acidity, but full in flavor of dark berries and concentrated fruit. There are a lot of tannins that embrace the palette, and has earthy as well as floral notes. Also, the Petit Verdot was barrel aged in 40% new French oak for eighteen months, which gives this wine a lot of body and makes it very well-rounded.

• Cabernet Franc - The grapes for this wine were grown in Charlottesville, mainly on Carter’s Mountain. Also, similar to the former mentioned wine, it was aged in 40% new French oak, for 16 months. The tannins on this wine are softer, and Michael Shaps uses a unique egg white fining process to help soften the finish. The notes on this wine are berries, spice, tobacco, and smoke finish that really takes this bottle to the next level.

• Tannat - This wine merges to worlds, French & American wines. Michael’s story of being one of the first winemakers in Virginia to work with this grape is simply amazing. Similar to the reds mentioned before, this wine was also aged in 40% new French oak for 14 months. The acid, alcohol, and tannin in this wine are high. Also, you can age this wine for up 10 years. This bottle resembles berries, tobacco, and leather on the palate.

Dessert Wine

• 2013 Raisin d’Etre Red - The story behind this wine is unique. The winemaker utilized a drying technique, in which grapes were dried out in the barn using heat to fry them out. The grapes began to resemble raisins during the process. This method also produced high concentrated fruit, which makes an excellent dessert wine in the outcome. This can be aged for 10-15 years, and is the perfect pairing to anything chocolate. I’ve already made an amazing chocolate wine sauce using this bottle for my homemade brownies!

Getting started with the amazing wine tasting Michael Shaps had to offer

The final selection of wine to bring home from Michael Shaps

XO, Analise

Uncorked: Italy Edition

“In vino veritas.” - Italian Proverb

This popular Italian proverb means “Wine makes people tell the truth” . Wine has played such a huge role on the Italian peninsula since ancient Roman times. During our trip in January we were able to experience some of the wines Italy had to offer, and we were not disappointed.

When we visited Italy, one of the highlights from our trip was visiting Rimessa Roscioli. The staff not only introduced us to some wonderful new wines, but gave us a spectacular history lesson on the Italian winemaking process. We were able to learn about some of the amazing wine regions around Italy as well. Our experience at the wine shop was spectacular, and we were so thrilled that they were able to ship us some lovely bottles back home.

Today I’m sharing what wines we enjoyed and purchased in Rome.

Admiring all of the wines Rome has to offer.

Spending some quality time with Paola Carlomosti our lovely wine sommelier for the evening.

What We Picked: Sparkling

• Cascina Ronchi - This is a blend of Malvasia and Spergola varietals.  The wine is well balanced, clean and crisp. The bubbly is the perfect compliment to any dish, especially seafood.

• SoloUva - This is a Chardonnay grape and is aged in stainless steel for approximately 36 months. Also, this wine is Vegan, which is so unique for a bubbly. I definitely cannot wait to enjoy this during the warmer months ahead.

Getting acquainted with the Cascina Ronchi.

My new favorite bubbly the impeccable SoloUva.

Cascina Ronchi & SoloUva

What We Picked: Reds

• Castello Dei Rampolla Chianti - I was on the hunt for a Chianti wine during our visit, especially since it is my Dad’s favorite. So, when we tried this bottle, I knew it was the one. This wine is a blend, 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot - all of my favorite grapes. The wine is balanced and absolutely amazing.

• Primitivo di Manduria - This wine is full bodied, but encompasses soft tannins. It has notes of red jam, cherries, raspberries, and blueberry. It would pair perfectly with cheese, and especially pasta.

• Bressan Schioppettino - I was blown away by this wine, and it is undoubtedly one of the most unique wines I’ve ever had. It has notes of black pepper, blackberries, raspberries and bilberries. Also, the bouquet of the wine encompasses woody and musk aromatics. We really enjoyed this wine with the Cacio e Pepe dish paired at Rimessa.

• Cascina delle Rose 2014 'Donna Elena' Barbera d'Alba - The notes of the wine exuded cherries, plums, tobacco, dark chocolate, and cinnamon. This wine is so incredibly well balanced, and we couldn’t wait to add it to our collection.

Enjoying a red wine tasting at Rimessa.

The standout red, and our new favorite - 2013 Bressan Schioppettino.

The full red lineup: (L to R) Castello Dei Rampolla Chianti, Primitivo di Manduria, Bressan Schioppettino, Cascina delle Rose 2014 'Donna Elena' Barbera d'Alba

What are some of your favorite wines? Share below!

XO, Analise