Wine - Chambourcin

On a recent trip with my girlfriend through the Virginia wine country, during the last months of fall, we literally stumbled into a winery called Hume Vineyards in Hume, VA. Upon entering the estate, we noticed that the vines were fresh. In fact, the estate was so new at the time that the grapes used to create the Hume wines of Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Detour (85% Cab, 15% Merlot), and Cabernet Sauvignon (95% Cab, 5% Cab Franc) are not estate grown/produced. Stephane Baldi (the owner/winemaker) assured us that though the grapes were not estate grown, he had produced some fine wines, and as we sipped for a full tasting with his assistant Stephanie, we realized he had.

I know many of you would never drink wine from Virginia, but I have news for you, it's getting better every year. Due to its climate, Virginia is known for producing excellent Cab Franc and Viognier, but during our tasting, I was turned on to a new varietal: Chambourcin. Now, I may know my shit about wines, but I am not a genis and definitely had to look this one up.

Like Viognier and Cab Franc, Chambourcin is a blending-Hybrid grape which is resistant to fungal disease and grows very well in cool climates. The varietal was created in the Loire Valley of France in the late 1800's by Joannes Seyve. Though created in France, the varietal no longer meets the requirements set up by French wine law as a stand alone varietal in quality. It is now abundant on the east coast (Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and North Carolina) and Midwest (Missouri) of the United States as well as Germany, Australia, and still remains in France.

At first taste, I thought I was drinking a Syrah with its intense spice. I noted currant, plum, a hint of licorice and black pepper. Falling into that medium to full-bodied category as Syrah, Chambourcin pairs well with anything from the grill (steaks, spicy sausage, barbecued pork or chicken) and dark chocolate (or desserts made from the chocolate).

I ordered a glass, bought a bottle to take home and stepped out to the porch of the tasting barn, where I enjoyed the fall sunset in the company of my girlfriend. My lips and teeth were dark purple when I got back in my Jeep and looked in the rear-view mirror, but I didn't care. I had tried something new and enjoyed the hell out of it!

Watch out for this one. One of my favorites in 2010 and definitely a hot item for 2011.

Chambourcin, Hume Vineyards, Hume, VA, 2009 - $19.00