|
|
Article: She's Just Wild About Norton; A Forgotten Grape Wins a Champion
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- September 9, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Washington Post. This material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
The first time Jennifer McCloud tasted a wine made of Norton
grapes, "it blew my mind," says the owner of Chrysalis Vineyards in
Middleburg. "And when I found out it was native to Virginia, I
thought, 'Oh, man. I have got to be a part of this.' "
Now her vineyards are home to the largest amount of Norton
acreage in the world, and McCloud, 55, who trademarked the phrase
"Norton, the Real American Grape!," is working to restore this grape
to a position of eminence.
There's just one problem with McCloud's campaign: These days,
Norton is not universally beloved.
Virginia winemakers are growing Norton grapes, either because
they enjoy the deep red color and fruity, Spanish-red taste or
because ...