New Releases

Chocolate wine? What’s not to love? Known for ages as one of life’s perfect pairings, Cooper Vineyards has brought red wine and chocolate together in a novel way with the release of Noche Chocolate. The new release is an ice wine made from Norton Grapes infused with chocolate essence. For those unfamiliar, ice wine (a.k.a Icewine or Eiswein) is a sweet dessert-style wine made using grapes that are frozen before pressing.  Much of the water content of the grape stays crystallized and does not press out. This process creates a juice for fermentation that has concentrated sugars and intense flavors. First made popular in Germany, ice wine has also become widely produced in Canada and New York state. Cooper Vineyard’s Noche Chocolate makes an excellent celebration wine, after dinner drink or night-cap. Packaged in a beautiful, sleek bottle, this unique wine makes the perfect gift for special occasions. Noche Chocolate is available at Cooper’s Web site. Better yet, it’s a great excuse to jump in your car and visit their tasting room. While you’re there, check out Cooper’s other ice wine Vida and the entire line-up of Cooper’s award winning wines. 

But Seriously Folks... Wine snobs and novices alike will both feel at home at James River Cellars in Glen Allen, VA. Winner of the 2005 Governor’s Cup award for most outstanding wine in Virginia, one might think all that acclaim would have gone to their heads. Quite the contrary, the Lazarchic & Batterson family has kept the sense of humor and friendly manor that, along with their award winning wines, has garnered a loyal following. James River continues to delight pallets with a line-up that ranges from the well structured, complex offering of their newly released Cabernet Sauvignon to the relaxed and whimsical semi-dry blend justly named Rad Red – also a new release. James River shows off it’s flexibility by producing wines using French American hybrid grapes such as Chambourcin as well as hallowed vitis vinifera such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their wines also range from bold and dry to light and semi-dry…and of course their Divino ice wine is the perfect for those with a bit of a sweet tooth. James River’s wines can be purchased at their tasting room in Glen Allen, VA, by calling the winery (804-550-7516) or by visiting their booth at one of Virginia’s premier wine festivals. 

The Bold & The Beautiful. Lake Anna Winery in Spotsylvania is turning heads with their new logo, bold and striking new label design and their ‘Totally’ new wine releases. The debut of Totally White Wine & Totally Red Wine marks the unveiling of Lake Anna’s new look which embodies their sense of style, spirit of adventure and pension for risk-taking. Totally White Wine is a semi-dry blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Seyval Blanc. Totally Red Wine is an off-dry blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Touriga and Chambourcin. The intriguing blends prove these varieties can meld harmoniously while retaining their distinct contributions. Pick up a few bottles today, these wonderful wines in their bold and beautiful packaging make a memorable gift and will also look striking on your dinner table. Lake Anna’s wines can be purchased by visiting their tasting room or visiting their booth at one of Virginia’s premier wine festivals.  

What? No Chardonnay? Grayhaven Winery has developed a reputation for working with varieties unfamiliar to many American wine drinkers. “We do a Chardonnay occasionally,” notes Grayhaven’s Max Peple-Abrams “but we figure California has that pretty well covered.” The owner-winemaker’s of Grayhaven love working with vinifera and hybrid varieties that have been overlooked by mass-production wineries in the US. Grayhaven has been growing grapes in the unique and complext terroir of Central Virginia for nearly 30 years. Their 50 acre farm is home to varieties such as Pinotage, Frontenac, Marechal Foch, Touriga, Golden Muscat, Vidal Blanc, Seyval and Cayuga White.. They also have relationships with small producers in the area that supply them with varieties such as Rkatsiteli, Traminette, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.  The family discovered Pinotage years ago when Peple-Abrams married native South African Deon Abrams. Pinotage, a vitis vinifera cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault varieties, was developed in South Africa and has helped put that country on the map as one of the premier wine regions of the world. Since their first release in 2003, Pinotage has become one of Grayhaven’s signature wines. The winery has struggled to keep up with the demand for this spicy red with bright, cherry notes and a smooth, velvety finish. Grayhaven also produces a 100% Touriga varietal. Touriga (a.k.a. Touriga Naçional) is a Portuguese variety often used in the production of Port wines. Grayhaven’s Touriga is a medium bodied dry red with and earthy backbone, distinct citrus notes and a hint of leather and tobacco in the bouquet and finish. Their latest release is perfect served with steaks and bold enough to compliment rich dishes such as steak au poivre or osso buco.  Grayhaven’s Touriga has also garnered a following of cigar aficionados who claim it’s the perfect Cigar Red. Grayhaven’s wines can be purchased at their tasting room in Gum Spring or by visiting their booth at one of the area’s wine festivals.