As October comes to an end it is time to switch focus from Halloween to Thanksgiving. Did you know more wine is consumed on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year? Thanksgiving is centered around a large scale, at times daunting, meal to share with friends and family. Pairing wines with Thanksgiving often leads to confusion. However, what better place to start planning your Thanksgiving food and wine pairing than with wines from Virginia?

Virginia is one of the original 13 colonies, home to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, and the Virginia General Assembly is the oldest continuous law-making body in the new world. As the pilgrims of Plymouth were celebrating Thanksgiving I am sure those in Jamestown were too. It has been almost a year since I have participated in #VAWinechat. As you know from my many previous articles, I am a big fan of Virginia wines. The industry has really tapped into what grapes grow well in which regions of Virginia, resulting in truly outstanding wines. The biggest hurdle to enjoying wines of Virginia is distribution. With so many archaic, pre-prohibition, anti-freemarket distribution laws still existing in the US it is hard to find Virginia wines outside of the state and its neighbors. However, I hope by now you have embraced buying wines online, if not you are missing out on some outstanding Virginia wines such as the ones I have to share with you today.

2014 Blenheim Vineyards Chardonnay Monticello USA ($22): This wine was crafted of 100% estate grown Chardonnay; straw yellow in the glass; vibrant aromas of a warm apple pie, with a touch of lemon zest and white floral notes; creamy texture delivers flavors of cinnamon spiced apples with a slightly buttery pie crust and a slight saltiness that rounds out the palate in rich textures, medium body and medium acidity in a tart apple/citrus finish. Truly an outstanding Chardonnay. Click here to find this wine.

2014 Ingleside Vineyards Cabernet Franc Virginia USA ($24.95): This wine was crafted of 75% Cabernet Franc, 12.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12.5% Merlot, all estate grown; deep ruby with scarlet and black hues; aromas of predominately red fruit with a touch of black fruit, dried rose petals, hints of green stem and mint, lingering spice and black pepper; pronounced spice and black pepper penetrate the palate, dusty tannins add an earthy texture, round acidity, well-balanced, well-structured with a lingering pepper finish. Virginia wineries craft beautiful Cabernet Francs, this one is no exception. This wine must be ordered direct from winery.

2013 Lost Creek Winery & Vineyard Provenance Virginia ($40): This wine was crafted of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petite Verdot in a left bank Bordeaux style; juicy red and black fruit take the aromatic lead, followed by violets, spice notes, and toasted cedar with a trailing note of vanilla; palate offered juicy tart cranberries and pomegranates with layers of black pepper and toasted walnuts, rich and elegant with layers of flavors, well-structured wine with round acidity and balanced tannins; full-body, lingering finish. A pleasing new world expression of an old world style wine; delicious. Visit web site to order.

2012 Afton Mountain Reserve Petit Verdot Monticello Virginia ($38): Aromas of characteristically black fruit with violets, dried savory herbs, and a trail of smoked meat notes; bold and juicy on the palate with black pepper, toasted walnuts and more smoked meat flavors, pronounced tannins with round acidity and a long, tart finish. Softer than most Petit Verdots I have tasted, elegant and great with food. Click here to order this wine.

Each of these wines were outstanding and would make a great addition to your Thanksgiving table or any meal. I encourage you to branch out and try some of these or other high quality Virginia wines. You will be glad you did!

*Disclaimer: These wines were sent to me by the wineries for the purpose of #VAWinechat. All opinions are my own.