This month's Saveur magazine (April 2007) has an article on "voluptuous viognier" and how it now flourishes around the globe.  The author says that "no wine seems more attuned to a particular time of year than viognier.  With a bouquet redolent of honeysuckle, jasmine, orange blossom, and more, it smells like an April garden.  Cool and fresh at first but with a core of lush warmth, it tastes of spring itself."

 

The article goes on to describe what the author considers viognier at its best, "combining a sensual personality with a restrained sense of style. The varietal is inherently rich, though good renditions should also taste fresh and uplifting."

 

 

Saveur lists 12 of the best viogniers recently tasted, two of which hail from Virginia.  According to the "Tasting Notes," Chrysalis Vineyards 2005 displays intense honeysuckle and apricot flavors yet remains always fresh and lively.

 

King Family Vineyards Michael Shaps Monticello 2005 is described as displaying near-perfect balance and is also vibrant -- a difficult but delectable combination.  "IT MAY WELL BE AMERICA'S BEST VIOGNIER."

 

Saveur Magazine (April 2007)

"Wild Flower" by Paul Lukacs

Mead is made by combining honey and water and letting them ferment with the naturally occurring yeasts found in the honey.  Imagine the surprise -- and delight -- of the ancient beekeeper when he tasted the liquid seeping from his rain soaked beehive.

The word honeymoon comes from an ancient pagan tradition of giving Mead to newly married couples to ensure a fruitful marriage.  The Moors considered Mead to be an aphrodisiac and Celtic bards drank it to be more poetic.  During the reign of Julius Caesar, a Roman citizen went to Wales and wrote about a local drink with such health benefits that the Welsh lived especially long lives, all the while fathering children.  The drink was metheglin, Mead with spices, from which the word medicine is derived.

Any addition to basic Mead results in a variety of related beverages, each with its own name.  Cyser is Apple Mead, once popular with the Anglo Saxons.  The Romans drank Grape Mead called Pyment.  Other fruits fermented with honey are called Melomels, and there are many more, each with their own history and unique taste. 

Even though Mead is made from honey, it is not always sweet.  It gets better as it ages and is often saved to toast a special occasion.  Once again gaining popularity at modern day weddings, Mead is often the drink of choice for the newlywed toast.

To the ancient Greeks, Mead was the "Nectar of the Gods", but you don't have to be divine to find it in Virginia.  One variety of Mead can be found in Chatham at Tomahawk Mill Winery.  A more diverse assortment is available at Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery in Nellysford, Smokehouse Winery in Sperryville and Blacksnake Meadery in Dugspur.