
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 28, 1995                   TAG: 9506280008
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ON THE WINE LIST

Beginning this month, we are adding specific recommendations to our wine column. The selections, made by local wine retailers and wine experts, are widely available at retail outlets throughout the region.

This month's selector, Richard Leahy of Charlottesville, is a national wine writer specializing in regional wines, who has written about Virginia wines since 1986. Internet users with World-Wide Web access can read Leahy's reviews of current Virginia wines on the "Wine Net News" at http://www.vino.com>.

Leahy was a judge for the recent "Vintage Virginia" competition, in which the following wines all received awards:

VIRGINIA PICNIC WINE PICKS

Barboursville Brut (NV) - a very dry, crisp, light, smooth and refreshing sparkling wine made in a specially designed fermentation tank to retain freshness.

Rockbridge Chardonnay '93 - light, crisp and subtle, with a hint of pineapple; stylish and smooth on the palate; skillful blend of oak and fruit. Good with delicate foods.

Barboursville Riesling '94 - fresh, floral bouquet with nice apricot tones; fruity but dry; clean and refreshing; versatile with foods or enjoy sipping on its own.

Afton Mountain Gewurztraminer '94 - full fruity bouquet with hints of rose and pear; spicy, versatile; stands up to mild to medium spice. (Fruitiness seems sweet but it is technically dry.) Dry, fresh finish matches especially well with Thai food, curry and aged cheese.

Horton Viognier '93 - currently the most award-winning wine of this grape in the United States. Exotic, fruity bouquet; rich and smooth on palate with long, dry, lingering aftertaste. Can match foods of some complexity and elegance.

Rockbridge "Montebello" (late-harvest Vidal) - ripe floral bouquet with pear, pineapple flavors; nice acidity to balance; smooth and clean. Great finish to a meal.

These selections are well-suited for elegant summer picnics. For more casual gatherings, you might consider wines that are mostly Vidal, a picnic-friendly French hybrid, grown with much success in Virginia and in the East. Possibilities include recent "Vintage Virginia" award winners Three Ridges White (Wintergreen); Sugar Ridge White (Whitehall); Rivanna White (Burnley); and Montdomaine White (Montdomaine). Also, Linden's Riesling/Vidal blend is very versatile and the apple wines of Wintergreen or Rockbridge are perfect for picnics. White Zinfandel or blush fans also will find that most Virginia wines carry at least one such wine, which are popular on picnics.

- RICHARD LEAHY

by CNB