Getting some Maryland wine, what should I hope for?

My wife stopped by a wine shop in Annapolis and explained my taste to them (aromatic whites and Bordeaux). She went with the recco of the person at the store. She did not have the wine with her when she called and I can't get the thought of them out of my head . Any names I should be excited about? No negatives please.

[David M. Bueker]

What should you hope for?

A quick and painless death.

Come on now David, you know I'd rather drink this stuff than expensive "famous region" wine - for the experience alone. I got the humor of your post and chuckled.
She just called I've got a Riesling and a Chard on the way from Basignani Winery and Boordy Vineyards (I don't know which from where) I'm excited!!

[David M. Bueker]

I've been to both wineries (my wife is from Baltimore). The last time I visited (about 5 years ago) a quick and painless death would have been preferable. I'm sure things are improving, I just don't know how much.

oh well- lets hope for improvement. Anyway it's a learning experience

It'll be interesting to hear what you think of the wines. As David indicates, it can be slim pickins in Maryland and being limited to the selections in a wine store can make finding something interesting awfully difficult. Boordy has some competent winemaking and has a prominent place in Maryland's wine history, but my visit there emphasized their marketing strategy over their wines. My memories of a visit to Basignani were even fainter, but, yeah, nothing I'd seek out. But, if nothing else, you can gave us the latest on how Maryland is faring (if you're ever in the area, Fiore might be worth a shot, but beyond the winery, I don't know where you'd pick one up). Happy adventuring!

i've tasted some very good maryland wines indeed. there was an older red bordeaux blend i remember particularly - i believe from Cygnus. kevin Atticks is the director of the association and has an excellant palate and is very knowledgable. he would be the one to get good info from.

I've got one of Kevin's books. It would be awesome if he weighed in!

There is one winery in Maryland generating some interest. I have not tried the wine yet but hope to soon. This is probably the one you would want to try.

http://www.blackankle.com/

Ed--

With expectations held in check, you should have a couple of decent bottles. Boordy is probably the most established Maryland winery, with a range of hybrid and vinifera offerings, which is fairly common for this state. I might expect their Riesling to be better than their Chard, but I haven't tasted either in a while. That said, most Maryland Rieslings are on the sweet side, in keeping with what most producers seem to think the public wants. Too bad. IMO, drier Riesling might be a better bet here. Basignani has had some success with a Bordeaux blend called "Lorenzino," and when I visited a couple of years ago, they were bottling some single vineyard Chards, which I thought showed promise. I'd love to hear how you do.