by Anita Skogland

The Piedmont Culinary Guild hosted its annual symposium on March 24, featuring a presentation on North Carolina wines hosted by Josh Villapando of Assorted Table Wine & Shop. As well as operating his wine store, he is also a student, attending the enology program at Surry County Community College, which has its own vineyard and wine making operation on campus. He aspires to make wine in the future, using local grapes.

The tasting included several noteworthy wines. Here are a few that stood out as very well made and worthy of being served next to your local produce, cheeses, meats, and fish. Many North Carolina vineyards will be part of the tasting at StrEATs Uncorked on Wednesday, April 3 at Johnson & Wales. Get your tickets here.

Villard Blanc, Dover Vineyards

This white from Dover Vineyards is made from the Villard Blanc grape. Elizabeth Ann Dover Bishop is an experienced winemaker who has apprenticed and produced wine in various global vineyards. Her family farm, The Farm at Dover Vineyards, produces a variety of vegetables and grapes. This white wine is crisp, acidic, has lemon and mineral notes, and would be a very good substitution for sauvignon blanc. The villard blanc grape grows well in our humid climate, which causes a lot of grape rot, and loss, in late summer. ($24/bottle).

Cabernet Franc, Jones Von Drehle

A red grape that grows well in our short growing season, and tolerates humidity, is cabernet franc. Jones Von Drehle Vineyards and Winery has won multiple national awards with this grape over various vintages. The Jones and Von Drehle families started the vineyards in 2007. They are located in the Blue Ridge mountains near Thurmond, N.C. The 2018 cabernet franc has bright cherry notes, medium body, balanced tannin and is very food friendly. This would be a good match with roast pork, eggplant casserole, venison, or vegetable soup. ($29/bottle). 

259 Tannat, Shelton Vineyards

The final wine was new to me. Shelton Vineyards has been in business for more than 20 years. Charles and Ed Shelton were leaders in transitioning land use away from tobacco growing to other agriculture uses, including grape growing. Through their leadership, the first approved American Viticultural Area, or AVA, in North Carolina was the Yadkin Valley. They have had success with a variety of grapes, including a great sparkling riesling. The 259 Tannat, however, is a unique and successful bottling. 259 designates the number of family members who own the estate – Charlie (deceased) and Ed, five children, and nine great grandchildren. Tannat is a successful grape in southwestern France, and it is the main grape grown in Uruguay. The Shelton 2019 vintage is tannic but balanced with dark red and purple fruit, long finish, and full body. If you enjoy red wines from Bordeaux and Napa, this is a wine for your next meal of beef, wild game, lamb or hearty fare in general. You can drink now or cellar for a couple of years. ($33.99/bottle).

Many consumers are big supporters of farmers markets and local food producers. There are also local wines and cheeses that deserve the same consideration. There are a number of wine producers in our state who successfully sell the standard sweet wines we were once known for; however, there are a growing number of winemakers who are working with Vitis Vinifera to quality standards that are competitive and delicious.