Rick’s Skinny [email protected] in the nursery of French Botanist, Francois . In 1868, the resultant grape variety was designated by ampelographer,

Victor Puillat, as Plant du Rif and later just Durif. But for still unknown reasons, once the grape September 2013 became a staple in , it "Nothing makes the future look so rosy as to became known as the Petite Sirah. Speculation contemplate it through a glass of Chambertin.” suggests that the distinctive spelling evolved to Napoleon Bonaparte both acknowledge a shared heritage with while also asserting the grape’s essential and Battle of the Munchkins! significant differences. Petite Sirah (or Durif as Petite Sirah vs. it’s still known in and ) is inky dark, tannic and it imparts distinctive ripe plum If I’m asked once, I’m asked a hundred times, flavor attributes. Syrah on the other hand is a “What’s the difference between Petite Sirah and far more tame and docile grape – despite its Petit Verdot? Aren’t they one and the same?” commonly spicy nature. California’s Concannon Well, except for the fact that they’re both …in 1961…was the first in grapes, they are otherwise very different. If we America to produce a single Petite Sirah were to contrast them as dogs….one would be a wine. It quickly became…and remains…their Yorkshire Terrier and the other a Pomeranian! flagship wine. Over the years, the varietal has

developed such a cult following that it has its I can certainly understand the confusion, own California-based fan club – PS I Love You! particularly since there are two spellings for And you can join too! http://www.psiloveyou.org/ what sounds like the same word (Petite and While I have yet to take the formal PS I Love Petit), then there are different spellings for what You plunge, I am otherwise a huge fan of Petite sounds like the same grape (Syrah and Sirah) Sirah…and I never turn down an opportunity to and finally…there’s Verdot which sounds like it taste a new expression. Among my favorites are just might be a variant of ! Daou, Foppiano, Villa San Juliette, Concannon,

Spellbound, Girard, Pennywise, and Bogle. Petite versus Petit…why the different spellings?

Let’s see if we can’t shed a little light on this Any Common Link between Verdot and Merlot? hefty eno-subject! They both mean small or little Except for their phonemic similarities…and in French…and they both refer to some degree their common bond as two of the six red grape to the diminutive size of the grapes when varieties allowed to be grown and used in compared to most of their wine grape cousins. Bordeaux…there is otherwise no link between In the case of Petit Verdot, it translates to little Petit Verdot and Merlot. Zero, Zippo, Nada! green one and alludes mostly to its very lengthy Unlike Petite Sirah, it is a bit more challenging to time to ripen…i.e. it stays green for a very, very find single varietal expressions of Petit long time. The reason they’re spelled differently Verdot…and when you do find one, they tend to is simply a matter of Sirah being a feminine be a bit pricey. Petit Verdot is used almost noun and Verdot being a masculine noun. And exclusively in the blending of “Bordeaux style in Romance languages, the spelling of adjectives red blends” – which you’ll sometimes see follows the form of the modified noun. Hence, marketed as Claret or (rhymes with Petite for Sirah -- and Petit for Verdot. heritage!). And because of its powerful and

intense nature, it is used in small amounts to add What’s with Sirah and Syrah? Same Grape? tannin, color, flavor, structure, and ultimately They are not the same grape…not by a long character to a finished wine. That said, if you’re shot…but there is a genetic link! The Petite so inclined…here are a few producers of Petit Sirah is a French grape that resulted from the Verdot – Pine Ridge, Stryker, Rasa Vineyards, unintentional cross pollination of Syrah and Trinchero, Kunde, and Barnard Griffin.

Toast of the Month

“Whether we’re rich or poor or quick or slow, Carménère (’s Signature Grape!) Here’s to our happiness wherever we go!” Calina Reserve 2010 Opulently Bodacious! Anonymous (Maule Valley—Talca, Chile)/$10-$13 -- The Carménère grape – which is one of the original Bordeaux red -- was virtually wiped out in France due to a root louse (Phylloxera) infestation in the late1800s. But thanks to dedicated growers who sent healthy rootstock all over the world in an

effort to perpetuate the vine, Carménère survived…and almost exclusively in Chile. These Bunch of the Month! days, the very distinctive Carménère is Chile’s Signature grape and wine. Calina, which is a Red Kendall-Jackson backed venture, was the first winery to export Carménère to the US and beyond. Blend This 2010 is 100% Carménère and it was Michael David Winery Petite Petit 2010 aged in a combination of “experienced” French and Rich, Bold, Distinctive, and DYNO-MITE! American for 10 months…an approach that (Lodi, California)/$16-$20 Though Lodi is not ensures and preserves its fruit-forward nature. This one of the California Viticultural Areas that first was the first Carménère I ever experienced back in might come to mind, Lodi is nonetheless -- and 1999 and though I’ve tried several dozen others without doubt -- producing some of the best and over the years, I’ve only found one that I like most popular being made in America these better…the $90 Purple Angel from Bodega Montes. days. And the wine cognoscenti are taking notice! http://www.calina.com/ One of my all time favorite Lodi wines is this intensely flavorful blend of 85% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot. Just don’t let the name fool you…as there is nothing little or small about this . Conversely, take a hint of what to expect by Blend looking at the label which features a pair of thirsty Pine Ridge / 2012 pachyderms! Indeed, this is a big, bad and bold Sensuous, Sumptuous, Sophisticated, & brute of a wine…but it goes down like liquid silk. Exceedingly Delicious! This is one of those must try wines! (Napa, CA)/$12-$14 -- When most enthusiasts http://www.michaeldavidwinery.com/ think of the venerable Napa Valley Pine and label, they typically think great red Borsao Berola 2009 Soft, Supple and Succulent! wine first – and soon thereafter, they think big (D.O. Campo De Borja -- Borja )/$13-$16 bucks! But not so fast! For sure, it’s hard to beat From the Bodega in Spain that is known as the King the Pine Ridge portfolio of big red beasties…and of the Empire of Garnacha, this exquisite cuvée yes, they can cost a pretty penny…but guess what! beautifully showcases why Bodega Borsao has They also make a white blend from a very unusual earned worldwide respect and admiration. This union of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier. Not luscious vintage is a delicious union of 70% only is this elegant gem of a wine reminiscent of the Garnacha, 20% Syrah and 10% Cabernet great white wines from Vouvray, France…but get Sauvignon. Principally aged for 14 months in a this – it’s not pricey at all. In fact, it’s one of the combination of Bordelaise French and American best white wine bargains you’re likely to oak…it spent an additional year of rest in bottle find…period!! A tad off-dry, this “sophisticated before being released. The result is an intensely lady” is wonderfully versatile. It can stand alone flavorful, fruit-forward, soft, and rich wine that before dinner or it pairs beautifully with as savory drinks like wines twice its price. It’s an exemplary or and spicy a fare as you may prepare! wine and a great value for the money. http://www.pineridgewinery.com/ http://bodegasborsao.com/borsao-berola-usa/