Heaven in Chester County

There are some places that I find incredibly difficult about which to write.  Oddly enough, most of them turn out to be some of our favorite places.  You know, it's kind of like my favorite pair of shoes - the ones
I love so much that I don't wear them.  Follow?

Anyway, I'm sure that it will come as no surprise when I say that Va La is one of those places.   We  try to be fair and objective but sometimes passion prevails.  I mean, we are the official, self-appointed Ambassadors of Va La Nation.  The only thing missing is the T-shirt.....just sayin'......

So, with no official duties on the schedule, we headed out to meet up with friends for a picnic lunch on the deck overlooking the Little Vineyard.  What could be better on a warm Spring day than an afternoon of good friends, good food, and of course, good wine?!  And, it's always a treat to spend time with The Farmer!

Between us, we put together quite an impressive spread - from pork to artichokes, pasta salad to pesto, dips, and spreads - sorry guys, no cookies this time.  Needless to say, we had an even more impressive lineup of wines to accompany our fare!  I know, it looks bass-ackwards but it actually worked.  As the afternoon got warmer, our wine got cooler!

The feast started with a 2010 Cedar - five clones of Nebbiolo and Corvina Veronese.  It had a couple hour decant thanks to our friends in the tasting room.  It had opened up to reveal leather and tobacco notes with hints of smoke and tar;  it's a men's club in a bottle!

We moved on to a perfectly chilled 2010 Silk - Corvina Veronese, Barbera, Carmine, Petit Verdot, and Nebbiolo.  This rosato is brick in color, soft on the palate and shows dark fruit and smoke with a hint of burnt sugar.

The afternoon ended with a 2011 La Prima Donna - Malvasia Bianco, Petit Manseng, Pinot Grigio, and Tocai (friuliano).  Crisp and delightful with more stone fruit than the 2010.

Before we knew it, the sun began to set over the Little Vineyard and it was time to let the The Farmer get back to pruning and the good tasting room folks go home.  Another wonderful afternoon was had by all.

Call us cheerleaders, call us what you will.  We are.......Va La!!