On the Road with the Grape Guy
Report from - Sonoma in the City ... September 21, 2009
04 Oct 2009- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
Thirty Sonoma County wineries came to town to talk Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with a few other varietals thrown in for variety, but mostly it was about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The pre-tasting seminar about Sonoma showcased 6 wines: 3 Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from different regions of this California county.
Let’s Start with the Stats …
Sonoma County is located 60 miles north of San Francisco and has well over a hundred years of wine history. You’ll recognize such names as the Gallo’s, who have been there since the 1930’s, and Seghsio, since 1935. There are 13 AVAs in Sonoma County (American Viticulture Area); 62,000 acres under vine (planted to grapes); 450 wineries, which is creeping close to pre-prohibition numbers when there were 500 wineries. There are some 18,000 growers in Sonoma, 40% of whom have less than 20 acres. Even with all these seemingly big numbers only 6% of Sonoma is under vine (the rest: 49% forest, 9% urban and 36% pasture). Diurnal temperature (fluctuation between daytime high and nighttime low) can fluctuate as much as 40 degrees in a 24 hour period. The rainy season runs between November and March, and yes Sonoma irrigates, “we have to give the vine what it needs, no more, no less; remember, we don’t have rain after March.”
Best of the Seminar …
MacMurray Ranch Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($19.95) – beautiful black cherry aromas all the way through, there was also a floral note thrown in to pretty it up a bit; you’ll also find a touch of vanilla. Nice balance, good fruit and a decent price all add up to a 4.5 rating. (****½)
On the Trade Floor (the magic 13) … (find out who the magic 13 are)
