A Big Grape From Virginia - Petit Manseng

While writing about wine over the past 16 years, I have been fortunate to taste wine from around the world, and from nearly all 50 US states. Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming are the only four missing from my American wine itinerary, and I would love to hear from any winemakers in those states.

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. Here we have some truly great Petit Manseng.

The 2023 Winery at La Grange Petit Manseng was fermented completely in French oak barrels. The varietal wine is made entirely of estate Petit Manseng grapes, from Catherine's Vineyard. 

Winemaker Seth Chambers says his Petit Manseng is planted on a hill of fill dirt from a construction effort, and he credits the poor soil with making his vines struggle to greatness. This is a big grape in Virginia, different from where I live in California. Alcohol resides at 13.6% abv and the wine retails for $39.

This wine has a rich golden tint in the glass. The nose offers evidence of the oak vinification, but it also carries aromas of stone fruit and a nutty citrus minerality. The palate has an almost racy acidity on top of the apricot, peach, and nectarine notes. The wine finishes long and savory. It will pair well creamy pasta dishes, chicken, or a bowl of rice and beans.

The 2023 Valley Road Vineyards Petit Manseng is a varietal wine that was grown in Valley Road's Mountain Glen Vineyard, in Virginia's Monticello AVA. Winemaker Corry Craighill fermented the wine in neutral oak for the winery's first-ever vintage of the Petit Manseng grape. Alcohol hits 13.5% abv and the retail is just under $31.

This wine has a rich, golden color to it as well. The nose features apricot, lemon, grapefruit aromas, laced with plenty of minerals and a savory salinity. The fruit comes on so strongly that it hits my taste buds as almost sweet. The acidity is fresh and vigorous. On the long finish, that sweet aspect is just noticeable. Pair this wine with shrimp and grits. 

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