Cost key: $=less than $20 $$= $20-40 $$$=$40-60 $$$$=above $60
Themes:
~2011 was a difficult year, but our best winemakers did surprisingly well with both whites and reds.
~A lot of people are now using Chambourcin as a blending grape, particularly with Bordeaux varietals.
~Several of the new young wineries are doing exceptionally well.
~Great Shoals Sparkling Vidal; Crow Vineyards Vidal Blanc and Barbera Rosé;
Port of Leonardtown Chardonnay; the best of all: Old Westminster Chardonnay 2011.
~Old Westminster Chardonnay 2011 is the best Maryland Chardonnay I've ever tasted. Very reminiscent of White Burgundy. At $28, it is a very good price for a very good wine. It's the most exciting wine I tasted last year.
~The Old Guard are doing well too: Cygnus Sparkling Vidal; Boordy's Rosé and South Mountain Red blend 2011; Elk Run Merlot 2011; Woodhall Piemonte.
~The Millennial Group of wineries are doing extremely well: Black Ankle Rolling Hills 2011 (no Crumbling Rock for that year); Sugarloaf's Evoe 2010 and Comus 2011; Knob Hall's White Oak white blend 2012; Linganore's Red Skins blend 2011; Slack Barbera
Many of these fine wines can be purchased at Wine World. See sponsor tab.