Style Weekly
The Virginia Wine Expo uncorks its sixth year at the Greater Richmond Convention Center from Feb. 22 -24. Three days of tasting more than 400 Virginia wines and craft beers show how the state’s wine industry has progressed from a 1970s novelty to the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the country.
Scads of events, at both the convention center and area restaurants, begin with a pre-party kickoff at the Wine Loft on Feb. 19.
All events are individually ticketed. In addition to the walk-around grand tastings (go Sunday, it’s less crowded) wine cognoscenti should attend Jay Youmans’ seminar, “Virginia Against the World: a Blind Comparative Tasting,” on Saturday.
Youmans is the founder of the Capital Wine School in Washington, an advanced level sommelier, a certified wine educator and the only master of wine in the nation’s capital. He has three decades of tasting experience, including a deep knowledge of Virginia wines. This is an opportunity to learn from a master how to taste like industry professionals in a sit-down setting. Twelve wines will be presented — six whites and reds from Virginia pitted against six from classic growing regions around the world. All wines will be tasted blind, without identifying names or regions to distinguish one from the other. The seminar runs from noon until 1:30 p.m. and tickets are $34. For tickets and information, see virginiawineexpo.com.
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