Charlottesville  UnCorked is taking a detour to the North! 

 I was recently  invited to a most elegant and delightful dining experience hosted by Visit Loudoun! I have been enticed to venture back to  Virginia’s horse country,  drive the Snickersville Turnpike and revisit the charming historic town of Middleburg.  Emerging as a weekend destination for tourists and Virginians, Loudon County,  trademarked as DC’s Wine Country, is only 25 miles from Washington, D.C. and actively promoting their culinary and historic assets. The wine trail in Loudoun is divided into five geographic “clusters” for scenic and strategic driving experiences to clusters of wineries and vineyards.

It was my good fortune to be included at a dinner at the historic Bolling Haxall House in downtown Richmond for an evening of fine dining paired with some of Loudoun’s  finest wines!   The focus of the event was to garnish interest in Loudoun County for weddings, conferences and tourism by highlighting some of their  award-winning cuisine and wines offered in the heart of  The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area.  

 I was greeted by Jeremy Harvey, VP of Destination Marketing, Visit Loudoun and Jacqueline Toppings, Director of Public and Industry Relations. They immediately made me feel welcome and introduced me around while delicious hand crafted hors d’oeuvres were circulated and Chrysalis Winery,  Boxwood Winery and Breaux Vineyards wines were served. Heavenly! Jennifer Ritter, Director of Sales invited me to dine at their table and the combination of personalities with her hostess skills transformed it into  the best table in the room!  The renowned French Chef  William Walden of the Goodstone Inn and Estate  was introduced and subsequently presented a fabulous meal of fresh,artistic, locally sourced cuisine.

Enter to Win  Follow Your Heart to Virginia Sweepstakes and a stay at the Goodstone Inn & Estate!

 Each course was described in detail by Chef Walden followed by a “Bon appetit!” and toast as the plates were served.  The menu’s first course was an ever so velvety braised leek, garden potato with sherry  vichyssoise served with petite homemade rolls;  it paired very well with the Chrysalis 2009 Viognier. The  Viognier  had  melon and cantaloupe  flavors,  and aged in neutral oak barrels for a creamy texture.  The winter greens salad of roasted beets, spiced pecans and champagne vinaigrette had been  delicately enhanced with edible flowers, a delicious work of art. The salad was so exquisite that it unfortunately overshadowed  the Chrysalis 2009  Albarino.  When I get a chance  I will have to try it again.