Coeur d’Est

The Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association has created a new red wine blend that they have christened “Coeur d’Est”, which means “Heart of the East” in French. The name was chosen to reflect the French heritage of the grapes used in the blend and the fact that the AVA is located in the center of quality wine grape growing in the mid-Atlantic region of the East.

The blend is a combination of 2 to 6 varietals grown in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Chambourcin, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The association established blend parameters for use of these varieties with the intent to make a wine blend of consistent high quality from vintage to vintage. Initially, all of the wines produced were sent to an independent judging panel for scoring. Only wines scoring sufficiently highly to be awarded the equivalent of Silver or Gold medal were granted permission to use the trademarked Coeur d’Est brand.

Larry Coia of the Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association noted the blend was created to raise awareness and help further establish identity of the Outer Coastal Plain AVA as a quality winegrowing region. Over a dozen wineries are now producing Coeur d’Est. Check your favorite winery’s website to see if they are offering Coeur d’Est.