Rick’s Grape Skinny
[email protected] May 2015 “Wine is sunlight…held together by water!” (Galileo Galilei) The Low Down on Lodi! only been over the last ten years or so that Lodi What’s that you say? What’s a Lodi?! No…it’s sourced wines have exploded in popularity and not a Star Wars character! That would be begun occupying lots of space on the shelves of Lowbacca…Wookie’s and Chewbacca’s wine shops coast to coast. While Lodi has been nephew…but don’t feel too badly…as you’re not known and recognized mostly for its vibrant and the only one who might not know the low down über-lush Old Vine Zinfandel wines, more than on Lodi! First, Lodi – pronounced lo ´ - dye by 45 grape varietals are actually grown there. the way -- is not a what! Lodi is a place…both a city and an American Viticultural Area (AVA) that is situated in California’s huge Central Valley. By way of context, Napa and Sonoma are also AVAs…and though you might never have heard of Lodi or know where Lodi is, know this – Lodi winegrowers and winemakers are making some of the best and most amazing wines coming out of California these days!! Honest! For all intents and purposes, the Lodi AVA is located about 60 miles east of San Francisco In 2006, the Feds approved the designation of seven viticultural Appellations within Lodi – Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse. And while these specific growing regions aren’t yet rolling off the tongues of aficionados who are quick to mention the likes of Carneros, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek, Howell and Spring Mountain Districts, etc…that will certainly happen over time.