Tag: chardonnay

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Wine

Producer : Caelesta, PASO USA

CAELESTA, CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST

If you ever take a wrong turn, somewhere in California, when you’re heading for Napa or Sonoma – have a bit of luck and hopefully you’ll end up in Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County.

Not only is this region in the heart of the West Coast wineland’s but it is also uber trendy and relatively undiscovered globally. It produces some dangerously delicious wines and has winemakers that are doing something different. Aphoras, concrete vats, stainless steel tanks and oak barrels – they are all here. A must to visit ! No wine region has firmly grabbed my attention. If you can imagine getting slapped in the face and stopping dead in your tracks then this region is for you. The wine makes you stop what you’re doing and lets you enjoy the moment. Life stops and for a brief moment in time you are transported into a new world a new experience. Not normally on the radar of most consumers. Paso is increasingly becoming a destination for fabulous and price friendly wines.

Here in Paso Cab Franc ( the fragrant grape ) and Petit Verdot (the squid ink colour grape) seem to be king. Zinfandel and Chardonnay are the reliable family members. Plenty to be getting on with thank you!

Caelesta is owned by Brian Farrell Sir and his wife Denise – while Brian Jnr is the winemaker. Sr. can be seen zooming around on a forklift in the fall while the harvest is on whilst Denise takes over the production facilities. Brian Jnr is the composer in this orchestra – pulling everything together and ensuring everything runs smoothly. No mean feat for a 20 something individual.

Brian (left ) with GW (right )

The vineyard is located in the Templeton Gap AVA situated on an elevated densely planted hilside. This forces each plant to compete more for nutrients and water, therefore decreasing the yield for each vine and enhancing the character of each wine

Having reached the summit of the property there are far reaching views of the region and as such when the sun retreats and the air cools the night sky emerges – the heavens then show off their fabulous astral display. This is the celestial experience or Caelesta (lat.) that names the winery.

As with all embryonic producers in the early days of each vineyards existence most estates would source grapes from the surrounding area (within the region as that would foolhardy from a marketing perspective) until the vines are in a position to bear good enough quality fruit. Usually after 3 years. from 2015- 2019 that’s exactly what Brian did. Resulting in the first harvest in 2019

YEARTitle Varietals AVA or local region Approx Cost

2022whiteChardonnay ViognierTempleton Gap AVA approx $40
2019 Bien Nacido Syrah
2019Vega 100 % GrenacheTempleton Gap AVA approx $50
2019 Bien Nacido Syrah
2019parallax 42% Syrah, 32% Mourvedre, 26% Grenache (GSM)Templeton Gap AVA Approx $60
2019 Bien Nacido Syrah
2019Apogee60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Petite SirahTempleton Gap AVA Approx $60
2019 Bien Nacido Syrah
2019Bien Nacido100% Syrah Central Coast Approx $70
2019 Bien Nacido Syrah
2018Grenache100% GrenacheAdelaida DistrictApprox $70
2019 Bien Nacido Syrah
2018DENNER VINEYARD 100% Syrah Willow Creek AVAApprox $70

Now the secret to wine is to

FIND YOUR GRAPE !

FIND YOUR CHAMPAGNE !

FIND YOUR STYLE!

It doesn’t matter how much you know or don’t know. What characteristics are in what wine. Life is a learning process. Learn what makes a Merlot, a Cab Saul, a Syrah etc. Who cares if you get the characteristics wrong only you do! Take notes and learn from your experience. If you don’t like red fruits in your wine that’s a great start. Just bear in mind red wines, on the whole, are either black or red fruits.

The wine governing body (WSET) for all wine exams breaks down all wines in nose (sniff) Palate (taste). Im sure they wouldn’t mind me highlighting this point.

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Hotter climates tend to have higher temperatures. When that happens grapes tend to have more sugar. All sugar turns to alcohol so expect higher alcohol levels and more noticeable fruit characteristics.

So what did I experience here (tasting reviews to follow – Sign up to my newsletter to be kept in touch with anything new )

Watch out for the interview with Brian Jr soon

in conversation with ….

Caelesta is a very passionate family – producing outstanding wines in a region that is relatively understated. All attention is on Napa and Sonoma and that’s a good thing – means Paso can just get on with their business – just like Margaret River in Australia

Here is a winery that is one to watch. Not only is this region producing grown up elegant wines it is also a region that is bursting with variety and coolness. Paso leans , inn part to the varietals of Rhone so expect to see familiar pairing of grapes. If you like Rhone wines you’ll love this AVA

Sustainability is also evident and there is a big movement to give back as much as the winery can to Mother Nature. Water reservoir is on site. Minimal waste is taken off site

There is also an embryonic Truffle farm. So lots going on here.

Always remember you can email me at jason@thegrapewizard.com or sign up to my website following the links on my homepage

REMEMBER : Its not just about me ! It’s all about the grapes !

Categories
Wine

Producer : Chapel Down ENGLAND

If you are ever lucky enough to drive down the motorway in the garden of England and turn off one of many roads then I’m sure you’ll experience quaint little England. Nice neat houses, quiet country lanes and maybe even a fabled sloe gin hedge! But one such village, Tenterden, is witnessing a revolution. Here lies Chapel Down.th

Ever since the popularity of English wine Chapel Down has been at the forefront of consumers minds for its approachable price and pleasant characteristics. This mini industry from the 388 Acres is operated from 4 vineyards. Kits Coty vineyard, Court Lodge Farm, Street Farm and a newly acquired parcel of land near Boxley.

Having visited the estate this month I was impressed by the operations, by the enthusiasm of the staff and by the range of wines. Far to short an article to list them all here!

Two things that are evident in the industry today is firstly all producers do not lay their wines down for investment and as a result omit a vintage ratings system. Secondly due to the nature of youthful wines and the lack of oak the wines are intentially made to be drunk young.

So for the majority of still and sparkling wines they are void of oak. Very few will venture into Grand Cru Chablis characteristics. It’s almost a cartel of an Anti –Oak movement. It’s a brave producer that goes alone in this embryonic industry. On the flip side drink them young and you sell more and you avoid storage costs on older wines. Costs are also recouped quicker. Forward thinking for an industry on the up. So not only does Chapel Down have prime vineyards in the heart of the garden of England (Kent) but it also produces a world-class range of sparkling and still wines, together with the award-winning range of Curious beers & cider.

Trade body Wine GB has said that it believes the UK industry, which includes vineyards across England and Wales, could be producing 40 million bottles of sparkling wine per year by 2040.How could you disbelieve them. 2018’s bottle production was 15.6 million bottles produced up from 5.9 million in 2017. Quite remarkable!

Because of their brand they supply Gordon Ramsay, The Royal Opera House, The London Symphony Orchestra, No 10 Downing Street and are the official sparkling wine of the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Races ….but all this talk of British wines! Why do we like it so much and why is it so popular? Look at the White Cliffs of Dover and you see chalky soils. Perfect climatic conditions with perfect soils. This combination allows vineyards to produce world-class sparkling wines and dry aromatic still white wines. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Bacchus all thrive on the South Coast

Chief grape varieties at Chapel down

  • Chardonnay:Grown largely for sparkling wines.
  • Pinot Noir: The variety thrives in cool climates (UK) & produces delicate thin-skinned grapes with low tannins & an abundance of red fruit
  • Bacchus:England’s answer to Sauvignon Blanc. Sometimes shows punchy tropical fruit to more restrained citrus and gooseberry.

Chapel Down has its own premium of wines range :

Kit’s Coty.

The Kit’s Coty vineyard has a lime-rich chalk soil and a unique microclimate on the North Downs. It is named after the monuments to the first settlers of Britain’s earliest farming society who recognised the fertility of the land in the third millennium BC. The expansive southerly aspect ensures the vines capture the sunshine all year long while free-draining chalk soils provide the perfect condition for producing well-balanced vines and intensely flavoured fruit. 3 notable examples include:

KIT’S COTY COEUR DE CUVÉE 2013. First British wine over £100.00 per bottle.

chapeldown_kits_coeur_2013_L.jpg
KIT’S COTY BLANC DE BLANCS 2014 Chardonnay 40.00 per bottle.

Kits-Coty-Blanc-de-Blancs-2013-label-350x350.jpg

KIT’S COTY CHARDONNAY 2016 Wild-ferment Chardonnay, which has been matured in old French oak for nine months. £30.00 per bottle.

ChapelDown_KitsCotyChardonnay_2015_L.jpg

3 grape varieties tried and tested and worth recommending.

ROSE BRUT

spark_cha5 

GRAPE VARIETY 100% Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTES: Fresh strawberries, cherries and redcurrants with background notes of toasty shortbread. The palate is crisp and fresh, its fine mousse contributing to the light and effortless style.

SERVING SUGGESTION : Great as an aperitif or for pairing with light pasta dishes and summer fruit desserts.

 KITS COTY BACCUS 2017

59dba028640a5 

GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Bacchus

TASTING NOTES: This very ripe style of Bacchus has guava, melon and peach aromas with background oak influence. The palate is pure and focused with more tropical flavours and an exceptional length.

SERVING SUGGESTION: An ideal pairing to white crab meat salad, asparagus risotto and lightly smoked fish.

CHAPEL DOWN TENTERDEN ESTATE BACCHUS 2018

GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Bacchus

VINEYARDS : Fruit is sourced exclusively from the Tenterden vineyard, which is home to the oldest Bacchus vines producing the lowest yields but finest fruit.

TASTING NOTES: Aromas of lime zest and elderflower followed by a refreshing palate of juicy citrus fruit and a pure mineral finish.

SERVING SUGGESTION : A great match with Pork Belly or pair with a wide variety of seafood dishes. An ideal alternative to New World Sauvignon Blanc.

Music Pairing

Sometimes its not just the words that matter its the vibrancy and energy that is displayed. Still as fresh as it was all those years ago….. See where I’m going with this !

(and these two need no introduction!)

Always remember you can email me at jason@thegrapewizard.com or sign up to my website following the links on my homepage

GW