Oasis Winery - Rated Top 10 in the World

I am not aware of this winery but Being a top rated winery does not mean they make good wine.

Perhaps it is pretty, offers great concerts etc.

Honestly I an not really aware of them. But thanks...its less than a days drive for me. :-)

Anyone can make a list and put whomever they want in the top 10. There is no 'official' top anything. Just depends on who is making the list.

Dee,

We did the "Virginia Wine Trail" about seven years ago. Oasis was nice - maybe the most lovely of all that we hit. We really liked their regular Cuvee sparkler. They were touting their Millennium Sparkler, and it was not high on my list, but then it was named to be a top seller, at THAT time.

Only low spot was Merideth, but I think that it was just a bit of a personality conflict between us, and Dr. Archie Smith [?].

Most of the rest were charming, with fair wines (at the time), though Grey Ghost, on the way back to DC, was wonderful. The service in the tasting room was fabulous, and the wines a real notch-up from some, that we tasted that day.

It's been too long to try and find, or reconstruct, TNs, plus it's a new millennium now, so much has probably changed. It was, however, a fun day, with lovely scenery, good, albeit not great, wine, and worth the effort.

I'd be interested to hear what is going on in VA wine-country. I only wish that we'd had time to do the area to the South of DC, as I understand that the best VA wines are being done down there - the names of the wineries escape me right now. Maybe next time in DC, we can do a long weekend and cover more wine territory.

Hunt

That's encouraging as a possibility for a day trip.

My favorite scenery winery is Barboursville, VA

and

Gee Whizz, I just logged on to this link and found that "The Queen" was served exclusively Barboursville wines at her reception. Quote, We were honored to be the one winery commanded to furnish wines for this doubly historic occasion -- to entertain Her Majesty on behalf of the People of Virginia, and to accompany the creations of one of the world's greatest chefs in offerings of splendor, exuberance, and deep affection.

Viognier Reserve 2005 was served with a Coronets of Home Smoked Salmon Tartar, and with Maine Lobster with Grapefruit Butter Sauce. Octagon

2001 was served with Tiny Pasties of Barbequed Rabbit, and with Pastry of Local Asparagus and Virginia Country Ham with Mustard Beurre Blanc. Malvaxia Passito 2003 carried the day with Ginger Pannacotta with Passionfruit Granite, among 7 other dessert selections. Unquote.

I love the ruins

Dee

Oasis is rather famous for their non-oaked Chardonnay. The owner does not participate in any of the festivals around the area because he has seen too many drunks leaving the mass wine tastings. It is surprising that you had even heard of the winery. He has a very small distribution chain just around DC but manages to sell a lot of wine. One of the best un-oaked Chards in the US.

There was a time, around 1965 that Merideth was heading for the top of the east coast heap and Archie Smith was one of the the most knowledgeable Chardonnay producers in the US. Indeed he published a series of articles in Les Amis du Vin defining the styles of Chard in each area. Around 1975, something went wrong at Merideth and they went into a sharp decline. I would not bother even tasting their wines now.

Next time visit Linden and Gadino

He has a very small distribution chain just

DH now said that he just now saw at the grocery store we go to the Oasis 2005 and the 2003 Chard Barrel Select @ $12.79, but on the Oasis site it shows $25 with no year indicated. Thanks for your information about it. Appreciated. Dee

I still remember Barboursville well from a vacation trip in the summer of

2003. My wife and I toured a number of wineries in the area, Octagon is above my usual price range, but was superb! Everything we tried was good, We went also to Shenandoah, Burnley, and Horton. I bought a case of Horton's modestly priced Cabernet Franc 1998, I still have five of them, open about one a year, and they keep getting better (so far) every time.

I noticed on the web site that Barboursville ships direct into NC, I think its about time to become re-acuainted.

Jim

Also check out Burnley, right near Barboursville and Horton.

Thanks for the tip. I've put it on my Streets & Trips. I love that whole area of Virginia. Dee

Very interesting. Thanks for the info. Glad that VA wines are making an impact. Back in the Clinton era, some AZ wines were the White House "house" wines. Though I have not had those vintages, Kent Callaghan's red cuvees are surprisingly good, and we usually have a few vintages for dinners, that they should pair well with.

Hunt