Now that you've all traveled to Calaveras and discovered Tempranillo (you have, haven't you?), I'd like to introduce an enticing white wine - just in time for the warmer weather of spring (which always seems to increase the interest in white wine - go figure!).
Viognier is a grape that almost completely vanished from the wine world before starting its recent resurgence. In the late 1960's there were fewer than 35 acres planted to Viognier - in France. Now there are more than 2,000 acres planted in California alone. And - because this grape tends to mildew in damp growing regions - the drier, Mediterranean climate of the Sierra Foothills is a great California home for Viognier.
One of the beauties of Viognier as a wine is the complexity of its sensory profile. When done well, it offers distinct floral notes (often orange blossom or honey), tropical fruit (apricot, mango), as well as herbal notes and light spice. The result is a wine that is fuller bodied than many alternative whites, but one whose fruit and floral notes makes it also a great candidate for easy sipping on a warm spring weekend afternoon.
As with Tempranillo, there are many excellent Viogniers to be discovered in the Calaveras wine country. Among them are Vina Moda (one of my favorites - a double gold winner at the California State Fair), Brice Station, Hatcher Winery, Indian Rock, Ironstone, Lavender Ridge, Renner (with a tasting room in the new Copperopolis Town Square development on Route 4), and the always entertaining and irreverant Twisted Oak Winery.
Viognier is just another great reason for an early spring visit to Calaveras (and that's not even mentioning the spectacular crop of daisys and doffodils currently in bloom on the road to Ironstone). Bring your camera!
If you would like to respond to this - or any - of my blog posts, please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com. I will respond to all requests and post those that are deemed appropriate.
Viognier is a grape that almost completely vanished from the wine world before starting its recent resurgence. In the late 1960's there were fewer than 35 acres planted to Viognier - in France. Now there are more than 2,000 acres planted in California alone. And - because this grape tends to mildew in damp growing regions - the drier, Mediterranean climate of the Sierra Foothills is a great California home for Viognier.
One of the beauties of Viognier as a wine is the complexity of its sensory profile. When done well, it offers distinct floral notes (often orange blossom or honey), tropical fruit (apricot, mango), as well as herbal notes and light spice. The result is a wine that is fuller bodied than many alternative whites, but one whose fruit and floral notes makes it also a great candidate for easy sipping on a warm spring weekend afternoon.
As with Tempranillo, there are many excellent Viogniers to be discovered in the Calaveras wine country. Among them are Vina Moda (one of my favorites - a double gold winner at the California State Fair), Brice Station, Hatcher Winery, Indian Rock, Ironstone, Lavender Ridge, Renner (with a tasting room in the new Copperopolis Town Square development on Route 4), and the always entertaining and irreverant Twisted Oak Winery.
Viognier is just another great reason for an early spring visit to Calaveras (and that's not even mentioning the spectacular crop of daisys and doffodils currently in bloom on the road to Ironstone). Bring your camera!
If you would like to respond to this - or any - of my blog posts, please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com. I will respond to all requests and post those that are deemed appropriate.