With this unseasonably warm weather hitting the Richmond area, it was time to break out a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, from Virginia. We broke out the 2006 Chester Gap Cellars Sauvignon Blanc to compliment our Indian food as well as the warm weather. Sauvignon Blanc would not be considered one of Virginia’s best known grapes but certain wineries including Chester Gap have the proper growing conditions to do well with the varietal. Chester Gap’s combination of high elevation, eastern exposure and rocky soil structure lay the foundation for a crisp mineral driven Sauvignon Blanc.
My Tasting Notes
Nose – citrus, wet stone, grass and fresh cut hay
Taste – melon, citrus, mineral
Mouthfeel – medium body, slightly tart and crisp
Finish – medium length, clean and “stony”
Although I had tasted this wine at the winery last summer, it still surprises me that a Loire style Sauvignon blanc can be produced here in Virginia. At $15 it isn’t a bad price either, especially for the quality it delivers. It was great with the Indian food, but would go great with shell fish dishes as well. Head up to Chester Gap and visit Bernd, and pick up a bottle.
Cheers!
Anything Wine 
How would you compare this to a New Zealand Sav Blanc? I note that the California Sav Blancs are very different and I really like the crisp mineral and lite citrus of the New Zealand types.