Kluge Estate Winery
About mid April we visited 3 wineries in the Orange area, and 3 wineries in Charlottesville the following day. Charlottesville was the place we visited last year to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city with the sole intention of visiting Monticello and Michie Tavern, but ended up becoming FRESH, NEW wine enthusiast sparked by following a grape sign we saw onside the road. We had no idea about wine, or what we were in for, but after the initial tasting we were hooked. Now we taste, learn, and support VA wineries, and it has been a very fun weekend adventure. Kluge is somewhat dear to us because it was the last stop on our very first wine tasting tour and the ambience and weather that day could not have been better. The food was delicious, the wine good to our tasting, and we met some really nice people there to converse with. This was our third time back since and 2 wines stuck out to me that you should try when you visit and perhaps purchase a glass. When visiting, make plans to enjoy the day and purchase some of the delicious food and an accompanying glass of wine and sit amongst the tall trees and absorb it all. Try the 2002 Albemarle Rose for starters. This is a French style (Dry) blend consisting of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The color is a pinkish red, and I picked up nuances of berries and cherry amongst other things that I could not find words to describe which means I need another bottle to further investigate. The other selection Kluge Cru, you cannot drink a great deal of and remain vertical. This is 100% Chardonnay done in a fortified wine fashion and aged in Jack Daniel barrels to add a bit more suspicion and structure. Words to describe this ‘flower child’ of wines are vanilla, peach and slight hints of nuttiness. Lastly, I have to comment on the preserves sold here. They are simply delicious and can be paired with crepes, toast, or even ice cream. The two that have won me over are the Pear Banana with Vanilla and Strawberry Rhubarb. Kluge can be pricey, but good times are priceless and we can make up for it later in the work week. As always, keep tasting, trying and learning new things : )
(Click Pictures to enlarge)
Decadent dessert's
Gourmet food
Kluge Estate Winery
