Seven Best Yadkin Valley Wines

Wine is relatively new for North Carolina, but the Yadkin Valley is already producing a number of excellent wines. I love drinking local wines, and here are my seven best Yadkin valley wines.

1. Shelton Vinyards 2009 Yadkin Valley Riesling. This is a great Riesling from one of the largest Vineyards in North Carolina. It is crisp, sweet, and has won a number of awards.
   
   
2. Westbend Barrel 2008 Fermented Chardonnay. A great chardonnay with lots of oak undertones, it has medaled at the American Wine Society competition, the Mid-Atlantic Wine Competition, and the NC State fair.



3. Sanders Ridge 2007 Viognier. This citrusy wine has a slightly spicy finish. It’s an unusual variety, and it has also won a number of awards.



4. McRitchie 2008 Foggy Mountain Chardonnay. An alternative to Westbend’s Chardonnay, this one is unoaked and has fruity notes with just a hint of acidity.



5. Divine Llama 2009 Traminette Gold. Similar to a Riesling, the Traminette Gold has the spicy sweetness of a Gewurtztraminer and the strong finish of a Seyval Blanc.



6. Cellar 4201 2009 Stainless Chardonay. Another great Chardonay from the region, this bottle has citrus tones and is great with pasta and sea food.



7. Raffaldini 2008 Oenotria. A full bodied red built on a foundation of Tannat and Malbec. It’s a little peppery and tastes excellent now, and if you let it age five years it should taste exquisite.

What are your favorite Yadkin Valley wines?