Wine on the Radio - October 11, 2004

California Revolution                 Recommendations

There's a quite revolution going on in many of the vineyards of California, led by a collection of winemakers who weren't quite satisfied with the status quo of cabernet and chardonnay. and a rediscovery of the immigrant roots of winemaking history, new varieties of old world wines are coming out of California.  

So it's no surprise there's Italian Barbera and Sangiovese, or the Germanic originating Riesling and Gewurztraminer . . . but it's the French Rhone type wines to look for too.  

California Syrah is much like its French cousin or Australian mate, Shiraz. but with that pure Californian attitude - juicy and unpretentious, vibrant and ripe, garnet colored red.  

The white Viognier takes us past chardonnay - lush but not heavy, floral yet full and subtle.   It's like biting into a really ripe peach and letting the juice run down your chin.   Unlike the Northern Rhone where it's famed for small production and big prices, leave it to California to demystify Viognier and unleash it for us.  

So uncork some of the "new" Californians from the "old" world . . . with some choices below.  

Pop the cork™.                Listen to the show

California Revolution Wines - Our Picks and Recommendations . . . All Prices Approximate

Atlas Peak 2000 Sangiovese $14
Napa Valley, California
Winemaker's Notes
Shows attractive berry fruit and spice on the nose. In the mouth, the berry and spice flavors carry through and meld with vanilla and floral aspects

Bonny Doon 2001 California Syrah $16
California
Winemaker's Notes
"Made the way Randall Grahm likes Syrah, which is a dry, peppery wine with rich outbursts of sweet cherry fruit. It must be the blending, but this wine seems to possess both warm- and cool-climate aspects, which is often what works best in a California Syrah. It's rich but dry, fruity but elegant, a Euro-wine of instant, and international, appeal."
-Wine Enthusiast

Seghesio 2002 Barbera $20
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
"Growing Barbera successfully requires patience. Always one of the last varietals to ripen, this vintage was no exception. The longer hang time gradually decreased the fruit's acidity to a desirable level, ultimately attributing to its good, tangy penetration

Trefethen 2002 Dry Riesling Estate $15
Napa Valley, California
Winemaker's Notes
Intriguing lemon zest and jasmine characterize this wines inviting aromas. Crisp, bright tangerines, exotic flowers and a hint of clove dance on the palate and into the long lasting spicy fruit finish

2001 Zaca Mesa Viognier Santa Barbara County    $14
This wine displays an amazing range of spicy, exotic, tropical aromas. Tangerine peel, ripe peach, and lichee fill the broad palate

2002 Thomas Fogarty Gewurztraminer Monterey County $15
Easily among the best dry styled Gewurztraminers available. This wine offers wonderfully, rich varietal spice and great balancing acidity. Pleasant notes of peach and nectarine carry throughout. Ideal with smoked fish

2001 Joseph Phelps "Vin de Mistral, Pastiche Rouge" Napa Valley $10
Intense Rhone-style blend, chocolate and graham cracker aromas, flavors are layered and seamless. Extremely smooth and easy-drinking