Guides to Wine

Celebrate Thanksgiving with perfectly paired Virginia wines! Discover expert tips on pairing soft Merlot with roasted turkey, zesty Albariño with creamy sides, and floral Viognier with spiced sweet potato casserole. Highlighting Barboursville, Horton, and Early Mountain Vineyards, this guide ensures every dish shines alongside Virginia’s top wines. Make your Thanksgiving unforgettable with local wine pairings that elevate your holiday feast.
 

Viognier is the white that seduces with perfume before a sip ever hits the lips. Apricot, peach, honeysuckle, and a hint of ginger define its signature style. In Virginia, this grape has become a calling card for wineries that favor richly textured, dry whites.

Petit Verdot is one of Virginia’s quiet powerhouses. This late-ripening Bordeaux grape delivers saturated color, floral aromatics, firm tannin, and structure that make it a favorite for both blending and varietal bottlings in the Commonwealth.
 

Port began on the steep schist of Portugal's Douro. Today, Virginia winemakers channel that tradition with their own fortified reds and whites. Here is your playful, practical guide to who makes port-style wine in the Commonwealth, how it tastes, when to pour it, and what to serve alongside. Social sharing outro snippet: Cozy night, crackling fire, a square of dark chocolate, and a glass of Virginia port-style wine. Perfection. Save this guide for your next sweet sip.

Snow day in Virginia. Perfect. Stoke the fire, grab a throw, and pour one of these five bold local reds that bring heat, spice, and soul to a frosty afternoon.

Port was born of necessity and refined by trade. This article traces Port’s origins in early 18th-century geopolitics, unpacks how fortified wine is made, clarifies the classic styles, and spotlights Philip Carter Winery’s Port-style benchmark. ‘1762.’

Hosting a Halloween bash or raiding the kids’ candy bowl. Sweet wines from Virginia and New York turn chocolate into a grown-up pairing party. Here are the smartest bottles and the tastiest chocolate matchups, with just the right amount of witchy wit.

Discover the sweeter side of Virginia wine country with a deep dive into late harvest bottles—lush, golden pours that balance honeyed richness with bright acidity. Learn how these wines are made, what they taste like, and why Virginia’s Petit Manseng might just rival Europe’s finest dessert wines.

Discover the art of pairing wine and chocolate, a perfect indulgence for fall and Valentine’s Day. Explore tips for matching flavors and get inspired by DuCard Vineyards’ annual event featuring expert selections from Lindt Master Chocolatier Ann Czaja.

Celebrate October Virginia Wine Month by exploring local wineries, enjoying harvest festivals, and supporting Virginia’s thriving wine industry. Discover the best events and activities in Virginia this October.