One of the larger integrated wine-centric web sites is www.snooth.com. Snooth is currently pursuing a "Global Tasting Initiative" wherein they are tasting specific varietals from growing regions throughout the world. Last week, the varietal was Tempranillo - a grape with Spanish origins that is largely unknown by U.S. wine drinkers (many people I know in the industry are not even familiar with Tempranillo). The top three wines from their first flight of Tempranillos included a Spanish Tempranillo (of course!), but the other two were both from the Sierra Foothills: our Garsa Tempranillo and an Amador Tempranillo from St. Amant Winery.
Obviously, this result rather supports my long-held conviction that the best region for growing Tempranillo in the U.S. is the Sierra Foothills. The fruit is a little more forward than the Spanish style - with a Foothills-distinctive hint of blueberry - resulting in a wine that is a superb accompaniment to almost any pork or lamb dish.
In a follow-up email exchange with the organizer of the tasting on Snooth, he expressed some surprise at the performance of the Foothills wines, but re-affirmed their quality before asking "now how do we get people to try them?" I suggest that the the Foothills is a great place to pursue your own "Tempranillo Quest" - your chance to discover this yummy and versatile grape. In Calaveras County alone there are no fewer than seven producers of Tempranillo (us at Solomon, Bodega del Sur, French Hill, Frog's Tooth, Hatcher, Ironstone, and Twisted Oak). Join the Quest, taste these wines, and let me know what you think. Tempranillo is really Spain's answer to Cabernet Sauvignon: the "royal red grape of Spain" meets "the royal red grape of Bordeaux." Give them a try!
If you'd like to respond to this posting - or any of my postings - please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com. I will respond to all emails and post those that seem appropriate.
Obviously, this result rather supports my long-held conviction that the best region for growing Tempranillo in the U.S. is the Sierra Foothills. The fruit is a little more forward than the Spanish style - with a Foothills-distinctive hint of blueberry - resulting in a wine that is a superb accompaniment to almost any pork or lamb dish.
In a follow-up email exchange with the organizer of the tasting on Snooth, he expressed some surprise at the performance of the Foothills wines, but re-affirmed their quality before asking "now how do we get people to try them?" I suggest that the the Foothills is a great place to pursue your own "Tempranillo Quest" - your chance to discover this yummy and versatile grape. In Calaveras County alone there are no fewer than seven producers of Tempranillo (us at Solomon, Bodega del Sur, French Hill, Frog's Tooth, Hatcher, Ironstone, and Twisted Oak). Join the Quest, taste these wines, and let me know what you think. Tempranillo is really Spain's answer to Cabernet Sauvignon: the "royal red grape of Spain" meets "the royal red grape of Bordeaux." Give them a try!
If you'd like to respond to this posting - or any of my postings - please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com. I will respond to all emails and post those that seem appropriate.