Virginia's fondness for wine dates to Jamestown. Colonialists had a taste for the grape. Thomas Jefferson may have been the commonwealth's first great enthusiast. He honed his preferences in France and dreamed of nurturing a wine culture in the New World.
His dream took many years to mature and only recently became a reality. Not that long ago, Virginia vintages were more likely to generate sneers than smiles. When citizens and foreigners thought favorably of American wines, they cited California and a few other locales. More recently, wine has prospered throughout the country — including, especially, Virginia.
Friday's editions reported that Virginia ranks as the country's fifth-largest producer of wine grapes. It also ranks fifth in the number of wineries. Experts consider Virginia a top destination for wine tourism. Vineyards complement Virginia's beautiful countryside and its historic heritage. Virginia also exports its wines to global markets. Wine contributes to the state's agricultural sector and to the commonwealth's prosperity.
Todd Haymore, secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, promotes Virginia's wines — sometimes while on foreign trade missions. He may have the world's best job.
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