In his latest column for the Times Dispatch’s Food & Cooking Section, Jack Berninger previews the bigger, better and pricier Virginia Wine Expo with a ringing endorsement that is sure to drive even larger crowds to the second year of this showcase for Virginia wine. In anticipation, Jack reached out to leading vinophiles in the region, including our own Matt Lake of Wine and Beer Westpark. Check out the full article here and the outake with Matt’s observations below. Hope to see you this weekend!

Taken from:

VINES AND WINES: Homegrown And Proud Of It, by Jack Berninger, Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: February 25, 2009

Expanded Virginia Wine Expo will showcase state’s finest Bigger? For sure. Better? Most certainly. Worth the price of admission? Undoubtedly.

If you’re a wine fancier, experienced or otherwise, the Greater Richmond Convention Center will be the place to be this weekend.

That’s where 57 state wine ries will be pouring more than 325 wines as the showcase for the annual Virginia Wine Expo.

…Many of the wines will be a taster’s surprise.

“I think the quality of Virginia’s mainstays has been steadily improving and holding their own against other U.S. regions,” Matt Lake, owner of Wine and Beer Westpark said. “What’s great about Virginia is the emerging wineries I’ve tried are starting at those established quality levels.”

Don Carlstrom of the Robins Cellars returns to share wine from the Ryan Patrick Vineyards in Washington State. Ryan Patrick Vineyards is an estate winery with three vineyards located in central Washington State very near the banks of the Columbia River. I think these wines continue the great tradition of serious value for less than $20 from Washington State (Desert Wind anyone?).

 The Menu2006 Estate Chardonnay, $18.50

This wine is barrel fermented in the Burgundian style and has a clean, light, golden straw color with tropical fruit and pear aromas. A straightforward, soft, creamy wine with a crisp green apple and citrus finish. 925 cases produced. The 2005 Chardonnay was featured in Spectator’s Top 100 Values.

 2005 Rock Island Red, $18

A blend of 57% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc featuring a vanilla nose with black cherry and currant aromas. Hints of oak, coffee and chocolate carry through the finish. 2850 cases produced.

 Calendar:

Thu April 3^rd Robin Spicer will be here to pour wine and discuss – at length – the fantastic voyage of the Davidson Wildcats and their stunning play.

Thu April 10^th John Grimsley will be our Italian guide for the evening, 4-7.

 Sat April 19^th Spring Sale and Tasting

Our annual tasting and bottle sale will feature a few selections in the $30 range for you to enjoy as we say farewell to some excess winter inventory. Tasting will be 1-4 with the sale going all day – more to come in the next couple of weeks.

 New beer news…

Spring selections are beginning to role in; refreshes to report: Dogfish Aprihop, Burton Baton, & Black & Blue; Bell’s Oberon, Flying Dog Garde Dog, Old Izaak and JK Scrumpy’s Organic Hard Cider 22s. Also St Louis Peche 375’s are on sale for $3.50 (reg. $5.49) – St Louis is going to a new package, so they are liquidating the old package stock.