The Golden Vine - Guidance

Grenache Blanc

Tasting profile and pairing suggestions for Grenache Blanc. This varietal is popular in Spain, where it is known as Garnacha Blanca. Grenache Blanc is related to the red grape Grenache Noir.

Taste Profile: Medium acidity, green fruit, citrus. Flavors include Asian pear, green apple,lime zest, white peach, honeysuckle

Pairs well with bell peppers and dishes with cumin. Best with rich meat like lamb. Complements Asian, Moroccan, Spanish and Indian cuisine.

This varietal is known as Muscat Blanc in France and Moscato Bianco in Italy. The Muscat family of grapes is used in the production of raisins. Taste Profile Medium acidity, sweet fruit, low alcohol. Flavors include peach, nectarine, Meyer lemon, vanilla and orange blossom

Muscat Canelli

Tasting profile and pairing suggestions for Muscat Canelli. This varietal is known as Muscat Blanc in France and Moscato Bianco in Italy.The Muscat family of grapes is used in the production of raisins.

Taste Profile: Medium acidity, sweet fruit, low alcohol. Flavors include peach, nectarine, Meyer lemon, vanilla and orange blossom

Pairs well with soft cheeses dried fruits and nuts. Perferct for spicy dishes and Thai cuisine.

Sweet Riesling

Tasting profile and pairing suggestions for sweet Riesling. Winemaking style and ripeness of fruit determines the flavor of Riesling.

Riesling that is sweet is labeled Spatlease. High acidity sweet fruit. Flavors include apricot, peach, apple, pear, pineapple and honey.

Sweet Riesling pairs well with pungent cheeses and sweet fruit. Best with crème brûlée, flan, fig, apricot or peach desserts, cheesecake and apple pie.

White Bordeaux

Bordeaux is the name given to white wine blends produced in Bordeaux, France. Bordeaux is the name given to white wine blends produced in Bordeaux, France. Bordeaux blends must be produced with Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. These wines must meet specifications and standards set by the appellation d'origine controlee.

Occasionally winemakers in France will also use small portions of Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Merlot blanc, Ondenc, Mauzac.

White Meritage

Meritage is the name given to white wine blends produced in California. Meritage is the name given to white wine blends produced in California. Meritage must be produced Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, or Muscadelle du Bordelais. These wines must meet specifications and standards set by the Meritage Association.

“Bordeaux style” wines produced in California may not use the term “Bordeaux” on the label. As the popularity of red blends increased, California winemakers sought to create a recognizable name for their blended wines.

The first wine to be labeled with the term "Meritage" was the 1986 “The Poet” by Cosentino Winery and 1985 vintage by Dry Creek Vineyard.

Rosé Winemaking

Winemaking techniques used to produce Rosé. Rosé is a style of winemaking not a varietal.

Three winemaking techniques are used to produce Rosé.

Maceration: Red grape skins are allowed contact with juice for a short time

Blending: Red wine is added to white wine. Winemakers normally use 5%

Saignée: Juice is removed or "bled off" from the production of a red wine

Sauvignon Blanc

Tasting profile and pairing suggestions for Sauvignon Blanc. Wines that do not contain sugar will taste “dry.”Dry wines will still have fruit flavors regardless of sugar content.

Taste Profile: Medium high acidity, herbaceous, dry. Flavors include grape fruit, lime, melon, green bell pepper and basil

Pairs well with mollusks, salad and green olives. Best with Oysters on the half shell. Perfect for fresh vegetables with ranch dip.

Wine glass components.

Stemware Anatomy

Wine glass components. Rim- Thinly cut rims allow wine to exit the glass smoothly. This provides an extra sensory experience for your mouth.

Bowl- Bowl size determines how much wine is exposed to the air. Large surface areas allow ethanol and sulfides to evaporate. Leaving behind aromatic flavorful notes.

Stem- Heat produced by your hands can warm wine unintentionally. Holding a glass by the stem will preserve temperature and keep fingerprints off the bowl. Wine is also a visual experience, fingerprints can be a distraction when you are enjoying the color.

Foot- Allows the glass to remain upright

Burgundy Varietals

Notes on Burgundy Varietals. Burgundy is a wine region in Eastern France .The most famous wines produced in this region are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These wines are commonly referred to as "Burgundies.”

Pinot Noir: Light bodied red wine with high acidity and low tannins. Flavors include cranberry, black cherry, rose currants, raspberry, vanilla and clove.

Chardonnay: Rich white wine with Medium acidity, tropical or tart fruit. Flavors include pineapple, guava, mango, apple and lemon.

Wine should be more acidic than the dish it is paired with.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting profile and pairing suggestions for Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is a natural crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon beat out classified Bordeaux estates at the 1976 Judgment of Paris wine tasting event.

Taste Profile: Medium acidity, medium tannin, dark fruit and pepper. Flavors include black cherry,licorice, black pepper, bell pepper and vanilla.

Pairs well with braised short ribs or mushroom stroganoff. Good choice for gruyere burgers, mushroom pizza with red sauce or marinated rib-eye steak.