Let’s play a name association game! When I say Madonna what do you think about? I think of the 1980’s, fish nets, bangle bracelets and living in a material world. Or perhaps cone shaped bras and boundary pusher. When I say Cher what comes to mind? I see her on a battle ship performing in one of her crazy Bob Mackie costumes. Or perhaps co-star of Sonny and Cher show or wife of David Allman. What about Jordan? Do you think MJ sky walking over the rest of the court for an amazing dunk or do you think Space Jam? How about Beckham? Do you think FIFA or sexiest man alive? I guess that depends on your gender! OR if you are a New Yorker you may think Giants or mr one handed catch. Ok last name. What do you think of when I say Trump? Wine, of course!
Virginia Wine Chat, hosted by Frank Morgan of Drink What You Like, is back and this month we returned for our annual December Virginia winery to celebrate holidays: Trump Winery. I missed October’s #VAWinechat due to my Italian travels but you can catch back up on America’s 5th largest wine region by revisiting my last article, “Early Mountain Vineyards: Easy to Enjoy.” It has been another great year of discovering and exploring the great wines of Virginia. It has also been a year filled with headlines and provocative conversations. Therefore, I am thrilled to once again be back in Virginia sipping great Virginia wine! You will recall we concluded last year’s #VAWinechats with Trump Winery bubbles and still wines as well. To review that delicious tasting please read “The Holidays are Fine with Trump Wine.”
Trump Winery is owned by American business man and philanthropist Eric Trump. The winery was opened in October 2011 and since that time Trump Wines have received numerous local, regional and international awards. The Trump Winery is part of the Monticello Wine Trail, home of Thomas Jefferson and birthplace of American wine. Monticello Wine Trail web site describes “Trump Winery follows Jefferson’s footsteps in making new world wines inspired by the French wine regions of Bordeaux and Champagne. With a deep sense of place, Trump Winery ties together terroir and innovation, boasting nearly 200 acres of vines, large lakes, and rolling Blue Ridge views.”
2009 Blanc de Blanc: This brut sparkling wine is crafted of 100% Chardonnay from estate grown grapes sheltered in the foothills of Carter’s mountain in the Monticello AVA. It poured a soft gold into the glass; bright aromas of pears, green apples, vibrant marzipan, lemon tart and buttered toast leap out of the glass while the racy acidity cascades down the throat for a lingering finish. YUM! This wine was crafted in the méthode traditionelle from the best Chardonnay grapes; after a combination of stainless steel and French oak barrel aging, this wine was aged on the lees in the bottle for a 4 years; low dosage added at disgorging. Winemaker Johnathan Wheeler explains, “I look to Champagne…I want the terroir of the property to really show.” 12% alcohol. Serve as an aperitif or with creamy pasta, seafood, mild cheese or a citrus tart dessert. SRP $24.
2009 Sparkling Rosé: This brut sparkling wine was crafted of 92% Chardonnay and 8% Pinot Noir from estate grown grapes sheltered in the foothills of Carter’s mountain in the Monticello AVA. It poured a soft pink with salmon highlights into the glass; aromas of fresh baked pastries and strawberry rhubarb pie seduce the senses while crisp clean acidity coats the mouth leaving pleasing lingeringness. Another winner! This wine was crafted in the méthode traditionelle; after a combination of stainless steel and French oak barrel aging, this wine was aged on the lees in the bottle for a minimum of 2 years; low dosage added at disgorging. 12% alcohol. A perfect holiday aperitif with charcuterie or creamy dips and spreads. SRP $28.
2014 Chardonnay: This wine was crafted of 100% Chardonnay grapes cultivated in the coolest terroirs, elevation between 600-650 feet, in deep rich clay strata containing volcanic subsoil in the foothills of Carter’s Mountain in the Virginia Blue Ridge range. It poured a straw yellow into the glass; aromas of grapefruit, pineapple, orange and lemon zest. along with a touch of honey and spice on the nose are followed by a restrained creamy texture, rich mouth-feel with round acidity that lingers on the palate. No malolactic fermentation richness comes from stirring not from malo or oak; 1-2 months mixing on the lees; aged 90% in stainless steel and 10% in new and 1 year old French oak barrels. 12.5% alcohol. Perfect for your holiday dinners including roasted chicken, Cornish hen ragu pasta, seafood, and pork tenderloin. SRP $16
2014 Meritage: This wine was crafted of 40% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec and 2% Petite Verdot from grapes cultivated on the foothills of Carter’s Mountain with the red varieties planted on the southern exposure slopes on the vineyards with highest elevation for maximum sun exposure. It poured a deep violet into the glass; black berries, cherries, black raspberries, plums and currants are wrapped in spice notes, violets, savory herbal notes, graphite, soft tobacco and vanilla dazzle the nose and please the palate; round acidity wrapped in a silky texture feels great on the palate; tannins young so still working on integration but drinking very well now; Grapes undergo cold maceration 4-5 days, then fermented in stainless steel followed by an extended maceration, malolactic fermentation in barrels, finally aged in French oak barrels for 9 months before blending and bottling. This wine will meet all your rich holiday meal needs such as beef bourguignon, roasted duck, pasta Bolognese, and peppered beef tenderloin with a creamy gorgonzola sauce. SRP $20
From the Trump Winery web site:
“Planted in 1999 and nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Trump Winery is situated on a 1,300 acre estate just a few miles from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, the birthplace of American Viticulture, and James Monroe’s Ashlawn-Highland in Charlottesville, Virginia. Planted with nearly 200 acres of French vinifera varietals, Trump Winery is Virginia’s largest vineyard. Opening in 2011, the winery features over 50,000 square feet of state of the art winemaking facilities, 100,000 gallon tank capacity, and 750 barrel cave producing sparkling, white and red wines. Trump Winery is privileged to continue Virginia’s rich legacy of winemaking dating back to the Jamestown settlement of 1607. Today we are proud to be one of the more than 260 wineries in Virginia which ranks 5th in total wine production in the United States.”
Trump Wines are distributed to 25 states and 3 countries. If your state or country are not one of them; I encourage you to order these four wines direct from Trump Winery. These four wines were very high quality; additionally, rarely does one get to enjoy wines of this quality for such a reasonable price point. Order these wines immediately for your holiday delight! Please visit the Trump Winery web site to learn more about the winery, view their entire portfolio of wines and order these four today. Furthermore, Trump Winery has bundled these four wines just for our #VAWinechat! SRP $75 for all four wines! Great value; order yours today! Finally, Trump Winery has designed some fun holiday wine packs. Visit their web site to learn more and order your own Trump Wine collection today.
My Song Selection: Don’t worry about your holiday wine needs; Trump Winery has all your holiday wine needs covered. Order your bottles today and relax; no matter the weather you will be all set with delicious wine! I’ve got my Trump Wines so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Get your own bottles of Trump wines and let me know what song you pair with them. Cheers!
