Herman Story: The Rest of the “Story”…
Last week, I shared about our recent visit to Herman Story Wines in Paso Robles. In response to that post, a couple people asked for more information about the wines themselves. Well, here’s the rest of the “Story”!
Syrah is one of my favorite grapes and provides very different aromas and flavors, depending on the region it is from and the clone. It is grown in France, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Italy, and, of course, California. Syrah is blended with many other varietals and is a great stand-alone wine.
Sip…Stroll…Eat…Enjoy!
Who wouldn’t appreciate a day titled that way? That is just what took place last week at Shake Ridge Ranch in Amador County, California. Nineteen wineries hosted their wines under the oak trees which dot the vineyards of Shake Ridge. Winemakers and hospitality hosts were situated throughout the 46 acres of the vineyard and offered their wines to be sampled and appreciated. To say the least, it was a magnificent day capped off with dinner to close out the event.
Shake Ridge itself is a beautiful gem, producing great fruit that many top winemakers from Napa clamor for to make their wine. Winemakers such as Rosemary Cakebread, Andy Erickson & Annie Favia, Rebekah Wineburg, and Helen Keplinger make wines from Shake Ridge grapes. Ann Kraemer is the vineyardist who has made this site so sought after for its fruit. She works in concert with the winemakers for specific plantings and watches over the vines with a watchful eye. She provides extensive attention to the vines in order to produce the best possible expression of the fruit. Words that have been used to describe Ann’s work are “meticulous farming technique” and “True Perfectionist.” Those are just a few of the descriptors attached to her reputation. She has set the stage for Sierra Foothill wines to grow in recognition and reputation.
“She Blinded Me with Science!”
What exactly do yeasts do during fermentation??
Sounds like a funny question that begs a funny answer; yet, for wine lovers, it is an important equation. It is a chemical equation that leads us all down the path of enjoyment.
To be precise though: during fermentation, a yeast cell takes one sugar molecule and turns it into two ethyl alcohol molecules, two carbon dioxide molecules, some heat and tiny amounts of a few by-products. One of the most important of those by-products is glycerol, which give wine a viscous, mouth-coating texture.
Would You Like a Latte with that Glass of Wine??
This could be a question posed to you at your next Starbucks visit. Seriously, folks in Seattle may already know about this new venture of the coffee chain’s effort to tap into the evening market. It is not enough for Starbucks to wake you up – now they want to “chill” you out at night. When you think about it though, maybe it’s not a bad idea. For the most part, the décor and tenor of many of the outlets are casual and relaxed. There is space to sit back, ponder the issues of the day and collect your thoughts. It may be a nice setting.
Starbucks plans to sell wine and beer after 4 pm in highly selected stores. It is a process that will take place slowly. The chain has over 12,000 stores, and they may make the move to have several thousand stores participate in wine and beer sales. The key here again is that it will progress slowly and selectively. Not all stores are well-suited for this type of service, and Starbucks has stated that they will choose the locations with great care.
Wine Dinners Near You
This past Saturday night, we had the pleasure to attend a wine dinner locally that was quite literally – awesome. The evening started out with a sparkling wine while the room was being prepared fully for the experience. It was an intimate experience, including less than 20 wine aficionados, which provided a pleasant environment to enjoy and learn. The venue was a restaurant, and the theme of the evening was Cabernet Sauvignon from 2004. Yes – that is right! All these cabernets had been well kept and aged for 10 years. While the dinner was not specifically paired to each wine, it lent itself well to the taste and texture of these lovely wines.
This was a journey through some wonderful wines with the pièce de résistance being a Harlan. Harlan itself is one of the most highly regarded wines from the Napa Valley and upon release will sell at $500 plus a bottle. When else would one get to experience these wines all together? That is why I say it was an awesome experience.
Mother Nature Speaks — From Vintage to Vintage
The beauty of wine is that it is dynamic. It is ever-changing with nuances from season to season. While vineyards themselves will have distinct soil composition that typifies them and offers certain characteristics to the wine, different varietals have flavors that typify them when crushed and aged. Winemakers themselves have particular styles that they bring to their process, which, in the end, will have an impact on the wine’s flavors, body, and balance.
But there is another player in the mix who has a voice in the final product, and that is Mother Nature. She has a big impact in the year long process. She can be a friend or present many challenges to the vineyard manager and winemaker in the final expression of the wine.
Larkmead Vineyards in Calistoga, CA: Visit and Enjoy!
When one thinks of Napa Valley and wine tasting, one often pictures a bucolic setting, sipping, and relaxing. The experience at Larkmead Vineyards is a great example of just that. This winery is located in Calistoga, which is in the north end of the valley. The setting is beautiful, situated on the valley floor and surrounded by vineyards.
The facility itself is an artistic expression of architecture. This is a Howard Backen project, one of the many wineries and restaurants he has designed in the valley. Tastings are done on the porch or on the patio and lend themselves to really relaxing and enjoying the wine and the scenery. Speaking of the scenery, the drought-tolerant landscaping, which incorporates many native plants, is also beautiful.
The Hills Are Alive!
Sacramentans have great choices today as the Foothill wineries east of Sacramento continue to evolve. The federal government has designated four distinct AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in the Foothills: Sierra Foothills AVA, El Dorado AVA, Fair Play AVA, and Shenandoah AVA. Growth is abundant in these areas. For example, Amador County, which is found in the Sierra Foothills AVA, has over 40 wineries. There is much to choose from and much to explore. The journey here has only just begun.
All That and a Bag of Chips?
It has been a practice for several hundred years to age wine in oak barrels. Oak plays an important role in the process of wine making. It enriches the wine with new compounds that impart flavors. It serves as a barrier in the storage and therefore allows for specific physical reactions to take place.
What about those flavors? First and foremost, there are primarily two places that the oak most used in winemaking comes from. That’s France and America — mostly Missouri. Yes, I said Missouri. You will hear these oaks referred to as French Oak and American Oak. They deliver different nuances themselves. (There is a winery in Napa Valley where you can taste the difference during a tour. This winery does barrel tastings and will give you samples from wine that is aging in either American and French oak and that is the only difference. This is a worthwhile experience and a very fun visit, yet that is for a later blog.) Oak exerts its influence on wine through chemical processes that support the evolution of flavors and structure. The geographical origins of the oak, the forest, and type of grain will influence what the wood contributes.
Keever Vineyards: A Nice Visit and a Great Wine in Yountville
I have heard that the single best way to distinguish a well-crafted wine is that it beckons you back for another sip. Therein lies the “problem” with discovering that caliber of wine – you want to drink it! And darn it, there goes that desire to accomplish productive tasks right out the window!
This past weekend, I enjoyed one of those wines at Keever Vineyards located in Yountville, CA in the Napa Valley. Keever is a family-owned winery that produces cabernet from six acres of vineyards right there at the estate. This is a small production winery that takes pride and care in each step of the process. The winemaker is Celia Welch who is one of my favorite winemakers in Napa Valley. She delivers quality with all that she touches.