Sunday marked the beginning of Regional Wine Week. This is the second year for the event, which was created by Jeff Siegel of The Wine Curmudgeon and Washington Post wine columnist Dave McIntyre, to highlight the growth in quality of wine “not made in the usual places (such as California, Oregon and Washington State).”
I happened to be passing through Dulles airport on my way home, and, per my typical weekly travel process, I stopped by Vino Volo adjacent to gate C2 for a quick drink.
Given the remarkable strides in quality of Virginia wine in the last few years, I don’t need an event like Regional Wine Week as an excuse to drink ‘our’ wine, but I ordered a local wine just to be a team player and take up some white space here on the blog. (another one of those quips that seemed so much wittier in my head) I guess I could also say that I went with a glass of Virginia wine in recognition of Virginia Wine Month. The trifecta.
I went with a wine from Three Fox Vineyards is based in Delaplane, VA, just off I-66. Since the cabernet franc grapes tends to perform very well here in the hot, humid Virginia growing season, I feel this varietal tends to provide a great red example of Virginia terrior, so I went with a glass of good ‘ol Virginia Cab Franc.
Three Fox 2006 Alouette Cabernet Franc ($27/bottle retail, perhaps a bit cheaper at the winery). Made with 100% estate cabernet franc. Nice nose of cranberry (similar to a Norton cranberry), hints of chocolate dust, spices and some pepper with an intense, and interesting, coffee flavor in the mouth. I had a cup of coffee on the flight in to Dulles, perhaps that was playing trickery on my already questionable sense of smell and taste. As a complement to the coffee, I also picked up earth, herbal and dark berry flavors. I felt this was more of a Chinon-style cab franc.
I have never had the occasion to visit Three Fox Vineyard, but I definitely have them on my list of Virginia wineries to visit the next time I’m out near the Middleburg area.
This quick stop at Vino Volo was just a prelude to celebrating Regional Wine Week and Virginia Wine Month – I plan to really celebrate Regional Wine Week this weekend by hitting the Virginia Wine Trail (Charlottesville) with two friends and fellow bloggers – Dezel of Vine Spot and John of Anything Wine.
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Drink What YOU Like 
Enjoy the Monticello wine trail! I wish I could have made it. If you swing by Barboursville, try the ’06 Cab Franc Reserve. I’m interested to hear your comments. That said, I need to visit Vino Volo next time in Dulles. I keep saying I’m going to stop by for a glass of wine, but somehow always arrive late! Just curious, what was the glass price?
I just completed a week of all Finger Lakes wine for Regional Wine Week. Think next time I’ll do a different Northeast state each night.
After all, I do live in the NE region. Also would like to get
back to VA to try more of their wines.
That sounds interesting, a Chinon style Cab Franc from Virginia. I’d like to try that. Good to know that you are not suffering from lack of local wine out there. In the meantime I’m still surprised Vino Volo has not appointed you to their board of directors yet. You must be Vino Volo’s number one repeat customer in Dulles. I think they should have you cut the ribbon at the grand opening of new terminal location.
Hi Marcy: Yes, I agree that I should certainly be appointed some important position within their fan club. I just visited their PHL location last week. Flying via CLT this week so no Vino Volo for me until next week. However, DFW does have a wine bar that I will make a stop at on my way home on Thursday afternoon. I’m considering writing a series of posts about airport wine bars! I have it started… just need to find the time to actually complete.