Episode 17: Jennifer Knowles, Plume Restaurant, DC

Jennifer KnowlesAs we wrap up Virginia wine month, we are taking a jaunt to the nation’s capital to talk with Jennifer Knowles, a great advocate of Virginia wine. Jennifer is an advanced level sommelier and the wine director for The Jefferson Hotel in DC and Plume Restaurant.

Jennifer has extensive experience developing award-winning wine programs at some of the top restaurants in the country. Before arriving at Plume, Jennifer was the wine director at the Inn at Little Washington, one of the premiere dining establishments in Virginia, before landing at The Jefferson Hotel. Plume is the only Forbes 5 Star restaurant in Washington, D.C. On the show, Jennifer will share some of her favorite Virginia wines and perfect pairing ideas.  She will also discuss Plume Restaurant’s impressive Madeira program. In fact, it’s one of the most respected and diverse Madeira programs in the country.

To say that Jennifer is a passionate supporter of the Virginia wine industry, would be an understatement.  She has been a featured speaker at the Virginia Wine Summit, served on the judging panel for the Virginia Governors Cup Awards and is also involved with the Virginia Wine Council. Jennifer was recently named best Sommelier by the Int’l Academy of Gastronomy and received the 2013 Golden Goblet Award by the Association of Women Chefs & Restaurateurs.

Crystal Palate’s Wine Country airs every Saturday morning at 8:30 on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV.  You can stream the show live each week on WCHV.com in the Charlottesville market. You can also  download the Tune In App or catch up on all episodes here.

Photos courtesy of Plume, DC. 

Episode 8: Diane Flynt, Foggy Ridge Cider

Diane Flynt at Foggy Ridge CiderIt’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy our educational journey through Virginia’s beautiful wine & cider country. That’s right, we are adding cider to our tour today with a stop in Dugspur Virginia with Diane Flynt, owner of Foggy Ridge Cider. Dugpsur is nestled in the Blue Ridge Plateau – roughly a three hour drive southwest of Charlottesville. It’s in this orchard oasis that you will find Diane Flynt making world-class ciders more in the tradition of fine wine. She is a recipient of two James Beard nominations and was recently named as a revolutionary in the Virginia drinks business by Wine Enthusiast.

In addition to producing exceptional cider, Diane is also a member of the Virginia Wine Board. On the program, we are discussing the history and evolution of the cider industry. Plus, Diane reveals her secrets to making cider in the fine wine tradition. She will also share some of her favorite savory dishes that pair best with her cider offerings.

Visit Foggy Ridge

Foggy Ridge Cider’s tasting room is located at 1328 Pine View Road, Dugspur, VA and is open on the weekends from April-December. Why not make a weekend out of it? Foggy Ridge has a lovely cottage on property that’s available to rent through VRBO.com.

 

Episode 7: Matthieu Finot, King Family Vineyards

Matthieu Finot, King Family VineyardsOn today’s show, we are talking terroir, orange wine and perfect pairings with international winemaker Matthieu Finot from King Family Vineyards in the heart of Virginia’s wine country.

Born in France, Finot has worked in some of the most esteemed wine regions including the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Provence. He also worked in Italy and South Africa before heading to Virginia. What was supposed to be a short stint in the Commonwealth has turned into more than a decade of winemaking in the Monticello AVA. Find out why a challenging vintage made him stay. Finot also dishes on a daily routine that he believes is the secret to a happy family. Plus, we’re sipping on some Viognier. Find out his secret ingredient that adds mouthwatering acidity to this wine. Enjoy the show!

 

Episode 5: Wine 101

Crystal PalateHave you ever wondered when the first wine was produced? On this episode, I get back to the basics by discussing the history and origins of the fruit of the vine. Plus, I have some great wine 101 tips on how to properly store your wine and how to achieve the ideal serving temperature that will guarantee a much better drinking experience for you and your guests.

You will also discover some great pairing ideas on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country.