Stadium Sip: Breaux Vineyards Chère Marie 2006
Hello Friends,
The last time Dezel visited Fed Ex Field, it was to cheer ‘your’ Washington Redskins on to a 34-3 victory over the pass-happy Detroit Lions. So what was the ‘good-luck’ stadium sip this time? It was none other than one of Virginia’s most popular French-American hybrid varietal wines. Any guesses?
The last time Dezel visited Fed Ex Field, it was to cheer ‘your’ Washington Redskins on to a 34-3 victory over the pass-happy Detroit Lions. So what was the ‘good-luck’ stadium sip this time? It was none other than one of Virginia’s most popular French-American hybrid varietal wines. Any guesses?
Breaux Vineyards Chère Marie 2006
If you guessed Vidal Blanc, then you are correct. This popular white wine grape variety is a hybrid grape that was created nearly 8 decades ago by a French hybridist who paired two different grape parents of varying species. The end result from our perspective today is this wonderfully fruity, but neutral flavored, white wine that many locals enjoy – especially at the spring and summer festivals. During Virginia’s resurgence to establish its wine industry in the early 80’s and beyond, Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Chambourcin, and other French-American hybrid, as well as native varieties graced tasting sheets long before popular European varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. did. French-American hybrids such as Vidal Blanc tend to be more hardy, disease resistant, and capable of exceptional growth in locations too cold for other, namely European grape varieties. For this reason, these grape varieties are very popular and less of a risk for growers all along the east coast. In Virginia, you can expect to find a number of off dry wines, a handful of dry, and some temptingly tasty late harvest and ice styled dessert wines made from the Vidal Blanc grape variety. With that, friends, the popular Breaux Vineyards semi-dry Chere Marie (Vidal Blanc) 2006 makes Dezel’s stadium sip.
Review: The Chere Marie (Vidal Blanc) 2006 is an off dry, fruity wine with refreshing stone fruit and citrus flavors. The wine is nicely balanced with good acidity, which offsets the residual sugars (a little); thus making this wine a very nice and reasonably priced sipping selection. The finish is sweet, yet short, but albeit pleasing. The wine clocks in at 12.5% alcohol by volume, and has a real cork enclosure. Enjoy this wine on its own or with a wide variety of foods including seafood (crab cakes A+), poultry, summer salads, fruits and light cheeses. Price $13
The Chere Marie can be found at Breaux Vineyards in Loudoun County, and can also be purchased through their web site. You can also find this selection at some Total Wine stores, as well as some local grocers. Virginia makes some very nice Vidal Blanc selections, at reasonable prices; so next time you’re looking for an alternative white wine, be sure to give Vidal Blanc a try.
Review: The Chere Marie (Vidal Blanc) 2006 is an off dry, fruity wine with refreshing stone fruit and citrus flavors. The wine is nicely balanced with good acidity, which offsets the residual sugars (a little); thus making this wine a very nice and reasonably priced sipping selection. The finish is sweet, yet short, but albeit pleasing. The wine clocks in at 12.5% alcohol by volume, and has a real cork enclosure. Enjoy this wine on its own or with a wide variety of foods including seafood (crab cakes A+), poultry, summer salads, fruits and light cheeses. Price $13
The Chere Marie can be found at Breaux Vineyards in Loudoun County, and can also be purchased through their web site. You can also find this selection at some Total Wine stores, as well as some local grocers. Virginia makes some very nice Vidal Blanc selections, at reasonable prices; so next time you’re looking for an alternative white wine, be sure to give Vidal Blanc a try.
- Stay tuned friends, a new winery visit coming up!
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Dezel
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