I’ve driven many miles around my home state of Virginia this summer, from the southwest corner in the mountains, over the Blue Ridge into Charlottesville, and up to the bustle of Northern Virginia. And several times along Interstate 81 and 64, I’ve passed signs saying “Welcome to Virginia’s Viticultural Area.” Living in a rural county filled with farms, I know what agricultural means, but what in the world does viticulture mean? The Word Nerd had to know.
Turns out, viticulture simply means the cultivation or culture of grapes, especially for wine making. (Thanks Merriam-Webster.) It comes from the Latin vitis meaning vine + the English “culture.” This is why I love researching word etymology – I discover how an intimidating word like “viticultural” is actually about one of my favorite things, wine!
An American Viticultural Area is a federally designated geographic area where 85 percent or more of the wine must be derived from grapes grown within the boundaries of that AVA. The wine must also be fully finished within the state or one of the states in which the AVA is located. Those are the federal regulations; some states have stricter standards for use of the term AVA on wine labels. According to the website Virginia Wine, my state has 10 regions and 8 distinct AVAs, including ones in Central Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, and Northern Virginia. (Hence, all the signs I spotted!)
The Virginia Wine site explains that the viticultural tradition started in Virginia way back with the first settlers and the Founding Fathers. However, it didn’t gain traction until the 1970s. Apparently, there is growing interest in Virginia wines, and Virginians dedicated to viticulture focus on the unique flavors that come from grapes grown here, like Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. I’d never heard of Cabernet Franc until I tried some from a wine shop in the Shenandoah Valley- I liked it! A bit lighter than a Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Virginia Wine site claims, with dramatic emphasis and accompanying videos:
There’s a movement growing in Virginia vineyards…
https://www.virginiawine.org/about#place
A community of farmers perfecting their own agricultural art. They don’t bend to trends. They listen to their land, drawing out the story in every vine and every vintage. Crafting wines that embody the grace, grit and experimental spirit of Virginia.
Now I think it’s time to plan an official tour of the American Viticultural Areas near me. Fall is beautiful in Virginia, and sampling wine would be a perfect way to spend a fall Saturday.
Did you know what viticulture means? What new words have you learned while traveling this summer?
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
