Vol. XIII, Issue No. 1                                                                                  January 2, 2018    
   
A Virginia vineyard on a snowy January afternoon.

letter
   
In 2018 we will continue to bring you news of Virginia's ever-expanding wine industry, featuring wineries and wine makers and wine festivals, along with current events and activities. There will be notes on new varietals, new food and drink recipes, as well as contests for special giveaways. We will also report on Virginia craft beers and spirits.
 
Voting has ended for the 2017 Visitor's Choice Awards, and we are excited to announce the Top 10 Favorite Virginia Winery Tasting Rooms. As the year moves on, we will have additional information on each of the winners.
 
January is the month for the Great Wine Lover Chili Compe-tition, so send your favorite recipe to info@winelover.com. The 2017 winner is this January's Recipe of the Month.
 
Cheers to 2018!  We wish you a peaceful and prosperous New Year. 
  
J une Britt
Editor



       FORWARD TO A FRIEND 
         
 


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YOU VOTED AND HERE THEY ARE!winners
YOUR TOP 10 FAVORITE
VIRGINIA WINERY TASTING ROOMS FOR 2017.
(Listed in Alphabetical Order) 
 
CASANEL VINEYARDS Leesburg/Loudoun Co.)
DOUKENIE VINEYARDS  (Purcellville/Loudoun Co.)
HILLTOP BERRY FARM & WINERY  (Nellysford/Nelson Co.)
INGLESIDE VINEYARDS  (Colonial Beach/Westmoreland Co.)
ROSEMONT OF VIRGINIA  (LaCrosse/Mecklenburg County)
SUNSET HILLS VINEYARD  (Purcellville/Loudoun Co.)
STONE TOWER WINERY  (Leesburg/Loudoun Co.)
WEST WIND FARM VINEYARD & WINERY  (Max Meadows/Wythe Co.)
WHITE BARREL  (Christiansburg/Montgomery Co.)
WINERY AT BULL RUN (Centreville/Fairfax Co.)
 

Subscribers were asked to vote for their Favorite Virginia Winery Tasting Room based on the winery staff's knowledge of wine, as well as their friendliness; the price of a tasting; and the attractiveness and proximity of the winery location.

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  chili
The Great Wine Lover Chili Contest is on once again! Send us your favorite recipe to enter the competition.  Entries will be selected by a "noted chef" and winner printed in the March newsletter.     
 
Email your recipe to info@vawinelover.com no later than January 31, 2018.  Put "Chili Contest" on the subject line, and include your full name, telephone number and email address above the recipe.  
 


   
  MARGARITA CHILI RECIPEJAN 
  The winning entry in last year's Great Wine Lover
  Chili  Contest is our January Recipe of the Month.  
  It's delicioso! and pairs well with a medium to full 
  bodied Virginia red wine.
 
  CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE        

 
CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL DRINKNEWEST   
 
Champagne is a New Year's Eve staple and it is to be drunk when there is something special to celebrate, or not. It should be drunk anytime or all the time. Our recipe calls for Sparkling Wine, Virginia's version of Champagne, as Champagne is a place and wine called Champagne comes from there, or it is called something else.
 
A number of Virginia wineries produce Sparkling Wine, including Prince Michel, King Family Vineyards, Veritas, Barboursville (Prosecco) and Horton (sparkling Viognier). Virginia produced Thibaut-Janisson is a world-class sparking wine from the Monticello Appellation. 
 
 CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE        


CHECK FUTURE FESTIVALS  
FOR DATES AND OPPORTUNITIES
TO PURCHASE TICKETS AT EARLY BIRD SAVINGS.
futurefest18
To Select Festival and Follow Link to Purchase Tickets.

There is no shortage of events and activities at Virginia's 300+ Wineries and Cideries, 190+ Craft Breweries and 45 Distilleries.  You'll find many listed here and additional listings at www.virginia.org and www.virginiawine.org. Be sure to check before you visit, as many tasting rooms are closed or have limited hours during the winter months. JANEVENTS

J anuary 3:  Citizen's Choice Randal
Brew Republic Bierwerks (Woodbridge)
What flavor-enhancing ingredients do you think go well with beer on drought?  Best ideas will be used to create a weekly poll, with top winners featured in the taproom.
Website
 

January 6:  Sangria Saturday
Lazy Days Winery (Amherst)
First in series with live music.  Bring your sangria growlers for refills or purchase a filled growler.  Bring a picnic and play corn hole.
Website

 
January 6:  Saturday Sounds
Doukenie Winery (Purcellville)
Kick-off for Saturday Sounds.  Warm up with Hog It Up chili and listen to sounds of Adriel Genet.
Website


January 6, 13, 20, 27:  Shuffle the Truffles
868 Estate Vineyards (Purcellville)
Come every weekend in January for a truffle tasting and discover new flavors each time.   Vote on the truffles you like best and be entered to win a very cool prize.
Website

January 7:  PaintNite
Three Fox Vineyards (Delaplane
In the Thirsty Fox Lounge, paint a masterpiece on a wine glass and enjoy discounted glasses and bottles of Three Fox wine!  
Website
FOR COMPLETE LIST OF JANUARY EVENTS

As our information comes from many sources, we recommend you verify dates and times, as well as costs and reservations that may be required.  (We are not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate information.) Because of space restrictions, unfortunately we cannot list open houses or recurring events.

To submit an event, send details (what, where and when and contact information) to info@vawinelover.com no later than the 20th of the month prior to the month of the event. 

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