Virginia wines arrive in South Florida

     Few American history classes teach it, but English settlers in Virginia established an enlightened vinocracy; a 1624 law actually required that 20 grape vines be planted for each male colonist over the age of 20.
     Still, even Thomas Jefferson wasn’t able to overcome environmental problems like mildew to establish a viable wine industry there.
     That’s changed.
     Ozzy Riverol at The Wine Shoppe, 1706 S. Red Road, Miami, is holding a tasting of Virginia wines from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fri., June 13.
      Featured are the wines of Kluge Estate Winery, including the 2004 Kluge SP Blanc de Blancs, a chardonnay sparkling wine; 2005 Albemarle Rosé, of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot and malbec; 2003 Albemarle Simply Red, of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot and merlot; 2002 Kluge New World Red, of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc; and Nonvintage Kluge Cru, an aperitif made of chardonnay grapes fortified with brandy and aged in Jack Daniels barrels.
      Call 305-267-9921 or see www.the-wine-shoppe.com