• One Barrel of Wine Equals Roughly 20 Cases, Which Equals1200 Glasses
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Page 22 Mud City Weekender November 2011 NovemberSeptember 201520162018 Mud CityMud WeekenderCity Weekender PagePage 2121 Uncorking fun wine facts Napa Valley’s rare diversity of microclimates is ideal for growing Sangiovese is an Italian fine wine grapes. varietal that has gone from cult While Cabernet and Chardon- status to full-blown success in the nay are the most widely planted ‘90s. Napa Valley produces San- wine grapes, the Napa Valley gioveses that are often ready to holds many suprises for wine enjoy upon release. With hints of lovers looking for varieties off the cherries, black tea and spice these beaten path. wines enhance a wide variety of Here are the most popular vari- foods. Certainly with an array of etals planted in the valley: creamy dishes and cheeses, mush- rooms and game, this wine says Cabernet Sauvignon is the ac- mangia! In the mouth, Sangiovese knowledged “king” of red grapes is usually lighter than Cabernet, in Napa Valley. Some Napa yet more full-bodied than its Valley Cabernet vines from the French cousins such as Gamay 19th century are still producing, and can be as comfortable at a but most were replanted in the well-set table as at a picnic. last 20 years. Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex grape; its character Sauvignon Blanc grapes can emerge as black currants, make wines that appear under green olives, herbs, bell peppers two names: Sauvignon Blanc and or combinations of these with Fumé Blanc (a regional French mint and leather. These wines great white Burgundies are made styles, Napa Valley Chardonnays nickname is “blanc Fumé”). age beautifully. When young they from the Chardonnay grape and accompany a variety of dishes, These wines are increasingly are best matched with robust red Napa Valley labels have repeated- from simply prepared seafood to popular as they have a distinc- meat dishes; older Cabernets are ly won wine-tasting competitions lighter red meats. tive character, often described as superb accompaniments to roasts against them, even in France! fruity with a touch of herbaceous- and steaks, and also complement Napa Valley makes several Merlot has long been available ness, and very good acidity. As • One barrel of wine many cheeses. types of Chardonnay, ranging in Napa Valley. Traditionally used with Chardonnay, you will find a equals roughly 20 cases, from fresh, crisp wines to rich, as a blending wine, Merlot gained range of styles — those that are Chardonnay is among the which equals1200 glasses. complex wines with layers of popularity in the early 1970s. crisp and “grassy” and others that most widely planted grape variety flavors. With such a wide range of Wines made from Merlot show have a ripe pineapple richness in Napa Valley. In France, the lovely cherry-like aromas with augmented by an oak bouquet. • A ton of grapes makes hints of their sibling Cabernet’s Because of their acidity, Sauvi- about 720 bottles of herbaceousness. Because Mer- gnon Blanc and Fumé Blanc are lot’s tannins are softer than those very enjoyable with shellfish and wine, or 60 cases. found in Cabernet, the wines are seafood. drinkable at an earlier age than • One vine annually Zinfandel, one of Califor- most Cabernets. At the same time, produces between four Merlots reward aging by gaining nia’s most versatile and friendly Magnum finesse and complexity much as grape varieties, was the mainstay and six bottles of wine, Bottle Cabernets do. Serve Merlot with of 19th century winemaking. Half Bottle Half or between 20 and 30 any dish that calls for Cabernet or Much of the world’s Zinfandel Piccolo/Split/Pony glasses. try it with lighter meats such as acreage is planted in the Napa pork or veal. Valley. This varietal is vinified as a light, easy-drinking red and • Each bottle of wine a heavier, richly flavored version Pinot Noir has been called contains about 2.8 the fickle grape variety because that rewards bottle aging, as well it makes some of the world’s as a white or “blush” wine. With pounds of grapes; there- best wines (Burgundian red) such a range of wine types, there fore each 5-ounce glass but is also one of the most dif- is a Zinfandel for just about every of wine contains a little ficult grapes both to grow and wine enthusiast and for every vinify. In France, these wines are imaginable food. over half a pound of exceptional only a few years in a grapes. decade. In California it has taken Rhone Varietals, chiefly Syrah among the reds and Viog- decades to make truly great Pinot • There are between 15 Noir, and much progress has been nier among whites, and Italian made in the last eight to 10 years. Varietals, chief among them, and 45 clusters of grapes Pinot Noir is less tannic and has Sangiovese, as well as Barbera per vine. less pigment than Cabernet and and Dolcetto, are increasingly Merlot, so the wines are some- popular. what lighter. They can be very • One acre of land is drinkable at two to five years of For more information on the Napa home to between 900 Goliath Goliath mon Jerobeam Methuselah Salamanazar Balthazar Nebuchadnezzer Solo Nebuchadnezzer Balthazar Salamanazar Methuselah Jerobeam Valley’s history of grapegrowing and age and the best will improve for winemaking, go to www.napavintners.com and 1,300 vines. several years after that. November 2009 Mud City Weekender Page 19 Page 22 September 2018 July 2012 Mud City Weekender Mud City Weekender Page 21 Reverie Araujo Estate Wines 942-6800 • 1520 Diamond Mtn Road Not open to the public. By appointment only. Small, ultra-premi- www.araujoestate.com um cabernet sauvignon winery. Arroyo Winery Schramsberg 942-6995 • 2361 Greenwood Ave. 942-4558 • 1400 Schramsberg Road Mon. – Sun. 10-4:30. Open by appoint- Tasting and tours by appointment only. ment, call ahead. Renowned for its petite Tom Eddy Winery Six vintage dated and two multi-vintage sirah. 3870 Highway128 By Apt Only sparklers are produced each year. Aubert Wines isShypoke zinfandel, but also offers cabernet and 942-4333 • 333 Silverado Trail 3835 Hwy 128 French942-0420 Kiss • 2882Afrom colombard Foothill Blvdgrapes. Limited tasting appointments. Producers of charbono, sangiovese and Call winery for details. Schramsbergpetite syrah. www.shypoke.com 942-4558 • 1400 Schramsberg Road Jericho Canyon August Briggs Winery 3322 Old Toll Rd TastingSterling and Vineyards tours by appointment only. 942-4912 • 1307 Lincoln Ave. Six942-3344 vintage • dated1111 Dunawealand two multi-vintage Lane Open Sun-Thurs, 11-5; Fri & Sat 11 -7 sparklersDaily 10:00-4:30 are produced Self-paced each year. tours all day; JAX Vineyards 3468 Hwy 128 Tues by aapt only. Call ahead. Tasting and tour fee $20. Take the tram to Shypokethe top of the hill for breathtaking views. Azalea Springs Vineyards 942-0420 • 2882A Foothill Blvd 963-1999 • 4301 Azalea Springs TheStorybook family of Mountain the old M. Heitz Winery Not open to the public. south942-5310 of town. • 3835 Producers Hwy 128 of charbono, Tamber Bey Winery sangioveseTasting and and tours petite by appt.syrah. only, shypoke.com free with 1251 Tubbs Lane Barlow Vineyards purchase. Zinfandel specialist since 1976. Envy Wines 942-8742 • 4411 Silverado Trail Silver Rose 1170 Tubbs Lane By appointment only. 100% varietal 942-9581 • 400 Silverado Trail Vincent Arroyo cabernet, merlot and zinfandel wines. Summers Estate Wines 2381 Greenwood Ave. Open942-5508 from •10 1171 a.m. Tubbs - 5 p.m. Lane seven days a Bennett Lane Winery week.Daily10:30-4:30 Taste wines Tastingof the Silver Fee: Rose.com$5 (waived OTRA VEZ w/purchase). Picnic area and bocce ball 2280 Greenwood Ave.Vincent Arroyo 942-6684 • 3340 Highway 128 23617361 Greenwood Greenwood Ave. Laura Michael Wines Sterlingcourt, too. BeautifulVineyards views. 10 to 5:30 daily. Tasting options range 942-3344 • 1111 Dunaweal Lane Tedeschi Winery Family Winery from $25-$50 per person. DailySwitchback 10:00-4:30 Ridge Self-paced tours all day; 2779 Grant StreetSt. TastingNot open and to tour the feepublic. $20. Take the tram to Brian Arden Winery thewww.switchbackridge.com top of the hill for breathtaking views. 942-4767 • 331 Silverado Trail 11 to 4:30 daily, closed Weds. Reserva- August Briggs UpvalleyCalistoga VintnersCellars Keneck Ranch tions not required but appreciated. StorybookTedeschi Family Mountain Winery 1307 Lincoln Ave. 1371 Lincoln Ave. LavaSilver Vine Rose Winery 942-5310(707) 337-5526 • 3835 • 2779 Hwy Grant 128 St. Rios Wine Co. Tasting Room 965 Silverado Trail Kelly Fleming Wines Tasting and tours by appt. only, free. Napa 1307-A Lincoln Ave. Carter Cellars [email protected] bCellars 2339 Pickett Road Valley’s zinfandel specialist since 1976. Vermeil Wines NV/ Wine Stop Kenefick Ranch (707) 445-0311 • 1170 Tubbs Lane Small family winery produces handcrafted Vermeil Wines/OnThEdge 400 Silverado Trail 1458 Lincoln Ave. 2200 Pickett Rd Open by appointment, call ahead. wines. Call or e-mail for VIP tasting. Brian Arden Araujo Estate Wines Summers Estate Wines 331 Silverado Trail 942-5508 • 1171 Tubbs Lane Vineyard 511 • Casa Nuestra Winery Aubert Tom Eddy A Wine Sensory Experience 511 Kortum Cyn Rd Daily10:30-4:30 Tasting Fee: $5 (waived 333 Silverado Trail Venge Vineyards 963-5783 • 3451 Silverado Trail 942-4267 • PO Box 1096 H•L•R w/purchase). Picnic area and bocce ball 1367 Lincoln Ave. 4708 Silverado Trail Daily 10-5. Family winery specializing in By appt. only. www.tomeddywines.com. 5136 Sharp Road court, too. Beautiful views. Phifer Pavitt rare varietials and unique blends. By appt. FECHTER ROAD 4660 Silverado Trail Tudal Winery Castello di Amorosa Tedeschi963-3947 • 1015Family Big TreeWinery Road Fairwinds Estate Winery 942-4274 • 2779 Grant St. 967-6272 • 4045 St.