May 30, 2008
As a student of the American Wine Consumer for more than 30 years, I've had opportunity to observe the evolution of wine tastes from the Boone's Farm-swilling (OK, I participated in that one, too) 60's through the jug wine 70's to the varietal focus of today. Over that period of time, as well, I've watched American wine consumers make those tentative first steps into the category, almost inevitably falling back on the "safety" of known, popular brands and known, popular varietals.
Over just the last few years, however, wine consumers have traded the mantle of safety for the quest for adventure: looking beyond the "big 4" varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir) of Napa and Sonoma for new varietals, new blends, new appellations. Many have stretched beyond California's borders in search of these new discoveries (think Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, etc.). Those consumers are missing some of the best that California has to offer - the "undiscovered" regions beyond Napa and Sonoma.
Such was my first wine visit to the Foothills in several years: there are more wineries making better wines than I had anticipated. Better yet, I was in my fifth tasting room before I was even offered a Chardonnay or a Cabernet! Instead, I was offered Grenaches, Mourvedres, Tempranillos, Verdehlo's, and custom red and white blends that were bursting with layers of fruit and spice.
So that is where we settled with the Solomon Wine Company, the parent company for our three lables (Cloud 9, Garsa and Muse), right in the heart of the Gold Rush community of Murphys. It's a great place, a fun trip back in time where one can park the car and walk to 12 tasting rooms. A place where the tasting rooms are staffed by winery principals and winemakers. A place where the conversations are slow and friendly and you leave the tasting room with new friends and new wine discoveries. And a place where most of the tastings are free.
In this blog, I shall bring you along on my adventures in the Sierra Foothills in general as well as my winery's home in Murphys, Calaveras County, California. Hopefully, you'll find yourself wanting to explore the region yourself. I promise you there will be a host of wineries eager to welcome you to a quieter time, a quieter place, and the perfect wines with which to enjoy the region.
Care to join me?
As a student of the American Wine Consumer for more than 30 years, I've had opportunity to observe the evolution of wine tastes from the Boone's Farm-swilling (OK, I participated in that one, too) 60's through the jug wine 70's to the varietal focus of today. Over that period of time, as well, I've watched American wine consumers make those tentative first steps into the category, almost inevitably falling back on the "safety" of known, popular brands and known, popular varietals.
Over just the last few years, however, wine consumers have traded the mantle of safety for the quest for adventure: looking beyond the "big 4" varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir) of Napa and Sonoma for new varietals, new blends, new appellations. Many have stretched beyond California's borders in search of these new discoveries (think Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, etc.). Those consumers are missing some of the best that California has to offer - the "undiscovered" regions beyond Napa and Sonoma.
Such was my first wine visit to the Foothills in several years: there are more wineries making better wines than I had anticipated. Better yet, I was in my fifth tasting room before I was even offered a Chardonnay or a Cabernet! Instead, I was offered Grenaches, Mourvedres, Tempranillos, Verdehlo's, and custom red and white blends that were bursting with layers of fruit and spice.
So that is where we settled with the Solomon Wine Company, the parent company for our three lables (Cloud 9, Garsa and Muse), right in the heart of the Gold Rush community of Murphys. It's a great place, a fun trip back in time where one can park the car and walk to 12 tasting rooms. A place where the tasting rooms are staffed by winery principals and winemakers. A place where the conversations are slow and friendly and you leave the tasting room with new friends and new wine discoveries. And a place where most of the tastings are free.
In this blog, I shall bring you along on my adventures in the Sierra Foothills in general as well as my winery's home in Murphys, Calaveras County, California. Hopefully, you'll find yourself wanting to explore the region yourself. I promise you there will be a host of wineries eager to welcome you to a quieter time, a quieter place, and the perfect wines with which to enjoy the region.
Care to join me?