One of my favorite wine states is Virginia. There is such a wide spread of varieties being grown there. I've sampled Virginia grapes that represent Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Loire, the Rhône, Spain, and Italy. Not to forget, of course, the all-American Norton grape. The good grapes in Virginia are abetted by good winemaking practices, as well.
I was blessed with samples of the winners from the 2025 Governor's Cup event, which started in 1982. A Zoom call featured the makers of the 12 wines which made this year’s Governor's case, the top dozen bottles from the event.
The 2023 Veritas Vineyards Monticello White won a prestigious place in the Governor's Case. Winemaker Emily Hodson said, in reference to the plethora of grape varieties in VA, "We didn't find these grapes. These grapes found us." Hodson’s family is in their 25th year in Virginia winemaking. Veritas was featured recently by Wine Enthusiast as a Virginia winery worthy of a visit.
The wine is made up of 50% Chardonnay grapes, 22% Viognier, 17% Sauvignon Blanc, and 11% Petit Manseng, all estate-grown in the Monticello AVA. The grapes all came from varied elevations, soil types and vine age. Different vinification methods were used for the various grape varieties. The juice was fermented in 30% steel and 70% oak, and it aged for ten months in mostly two-year and neutral oak. Alcohol resides at 13.2% abv and the retail price is $35.
This wine has a rich, golden hue in the glass. The nose shows a pronounced oak effect. Aromas of white flowers are joined by peach, golden apple, and a buttery note. The palate has a bright acidity, along with the aforementioned fruit and floral aspects. The finish is quite long and carries that fruit to the wonderful end. I would pair this with roasted chicken, chicken salad, risotto, or any kind of buttery pasta or seafood dish.
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