So why do a blog – who cares what I think?
The quick answer is that more than likely nobody cares, and that this blog might be visited solely by people wanting to sell me cheap medicine/incredible stocks/enlargement supplements and a supportive wife. See I used to do a printed newsletter, but effectively couldn’t find the time each month to collate our news, design, execute, print and post. This is slightly easier, and it’s certainly slightly cooler.
So first off here’s what I was drinking this weekend, one of my own and two from a producer not currently available in Ireland:
- 2006 The Four Graces, Pinot Blanc (Oregon, USA)
- 2006 Summerland, Paradise Road Vineyard Viognier (California, USA)
- 2005 Summerland, Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot Noir (California, USA)
The Four Graces Pinot Blanc (pictured right) is absolutely one of my favourite white wines – from beautiful packaging to biodynamic viticulture this wine insists that I put my wine anorak on when I drink it. Unashamedly off-dry, this one’s flavour profile just keeps on shifting as you drink. The one caveat to its enjoyment is if I am in the vicinity, as I can’t help myself rabbiting on about it. It is awesome stuff.
Summerland are an interesting winery based in the Central Coast of California, and make a huge array of different wines. They have an entry level range and a single vineyard range, and it was from this upper tier that the two wines above came from. I’ve been convinced for years that Santa Rita Hills is a region that can produce serious Pinot Noir, and everything I’ve tasted from there – Demetria, Sanford, Fiddlehead – is very, very good. This Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot was no different: complex, stylish and quite subtle. Santa Rita Hills is a great little bookmark for top quality Pinot Noir, but expect to pay for it. Most of the wineries above retail their Pinots in the states for $40-60 a bottle.
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