We feel like there might be a theme building here with the Understanding AOC series, but we will skip over the introductions to Champagne as the most widely recognized sparkling wine in the world. At one point in time the wine was in danger of losing its signature…
Understanding AOC: Champagne
What is Maceration?
Maceration is the process where the skins and juice hang out together after the crushing of wine grapes, and flavor compounds, tannins, and color compounds are leached into the must (juice). Generally speaking (there are always exceptions to the rules) red wines macerate until fermentation is complete. Sometimes…
Grenache, Garnacha, Alicante…
Grenache is one of the most widely planted grapes in the whole world, and in turn goes by a number of names: Grenache Noir, Garnacha tinto, Garnatxa negre, Grenache Blanc, Alicante, Carignane rosso, GSM, Navarra, Redondal, Rhone Blend, Rosé of Grenache, Roussillon…the actual list spans around 55+ known…
All About Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir (literally: Black Pine, due to the grapes color and cluster looking like a black pine cone), is one of the most globally popular grapes, has a long growing history pre-dating the Roman Empire, and could be upwards of 1,000 years older than the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. …
Decoded: Oregon Chardonnay
While Chardonnay takes a distant third place in plantings in Oregon (behind Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris), more interest, investment and development has continued to be behind growth and plantings of the grape to develop its market presence and the potential diversity of its stylings. Oregon Chardonnay runs…
Decoded: Eola-Amity Hills
While we’ve dedicated most of the month to decorating the Pinots from Oregon, Chardonnay is the third most grown grape in the Willamette Valley, and routinely compared to the Chardonnays of Burgundy – which can be credited to Robert Drouhin who “discovered” the potential of Oregon soil in…
Decoded: Chehalem Mountains
Last month saw the release of our Lot 627 Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir, a sub appellation of the Willamette Valley in the northwestern reaches of the region. As always, Cam’s notes will speak well towards the wine, but let’s look deeper into the region itself. While Papa Pinot…
Decoded: Dundee Hills
In March of this year we released our Lot 586 Pinot Noir from the Dundee Hills sub-appellation of the Willamette Valley in Oregon. While Cam’s video can tell you about the wine itself, let’s look at the AVA that pretty much started it all in Oregon. As stated…
