Loudoun wines debut in London

At the London International Wine and Spirits Fair May 12-14, the best vintages from around the globe beckoned to more than 3,000 buyers and importers at the world's largest trade fair for wine.

Rothschild, Mondavi, Frog's Leap, Chateau Margaux were there, along with Columbia Crest, Altesino, Walla Walla, Conchay Toro, Corcoran.

Corcoran?

That's Corcoran Vineyards from the Wheatlands area of Loudoun County. Jim Corcoran poured his wines, alongside Chris Blosser from Breaux Vineyards up Harpers Ferry Road from Hillsboro, and Justin Bogaty from Veramar, just over the line in Clarke County.

"Virginia is ready to go international," said Christopher Parker, whose New Horizon Wines in Reston is bringing Virginia wines to the international palate. Also set up in London at the Virginia booth were Barboursville, DelFosse, Keswick and White Hall vineyards, with Rappahannock Cellars and Veritas Winery & Vineyards.

Wines produced in Virginia tend to be well-balanced and "not overly alcoholic," Parker said. They are ready to do well in this market.

Parker and his wife, Janina, scouted the show last year with thoughts of introducing four, maybe five Virginia wines in 2009. Interest grew among the Virginia vintners he has cultivated, and the list grew to 11.

He booked a larger booth, adjacent to the Southern U.S. Trade Association.

The vintners were on display in what Parker calls one of the most competitive markets in the world.

"Our vision is to establish a presence in the U.K. through quality – and the pricing will be appropriate to that quality. These are wines for boutique hotels and good shops. You won't find them in supermarkets."

Parker, who grew up in London and settled in Virginia 20 years ago, said his passion for good French wines exceeded his budget at a young age. There must be top wines somewhere else in the world, he told himself, and he set out to find them. When he did, he set up a business importing them to the United Kingdom.

New Horizon, he said, is primed not just to send Virginia wines to the United Kingdom, but to bring U.K. tourists to Virginia. The company creates customized visits to Virginia for the wine, the culinary pursuits and the history.

Monticello links the old world and the new, Parker said. Thomas Jefferson, also a lover of French wines, set out to establish Virginia as a cradle of world-class wines.

"That link has been maintained. Today the winemakers of Virginia are realizing that dream. It's a wonderful story."

The fair is for the trade only. For more information, go to www.londonwinefair.com. Reach New Horizon at www.newhorizonwines.com.