Good Saturday morning! Here’s your list of the latest wine-related news I’ve been reading this past week. (Including one by yours truly.) There is a lot of good stuff here, so, once again, I hope this proves interesting, if not useful. Let me know your thoughts…
Anyone else ever feel like Nebbiolo is the grape that shouldn’t work. It’s so light in color, it’s practically see-through: a faint rouge hue with its rusty orange-y-brown aura that just hints that this wine isn’t what it appears to be: Firm in structure, full-bodied, and undeniably tannic, but balanced by an—at times—racey acidity. The classic aroma descriptor is “tar and violets,” as the wine typically includes scents and flavors of herbs, dried flowers, and the bitterness of a dark coffee. But one only has to taste the differing expressions coming from the Nebbiolo motherlands of Barolo, Barbaresco, as well as Asti and Alba to know that location and climate means everything to this grape.
Here is what California’s El Dorado County has to provide this dark beauty.
Besides the fact that this is a riff on probably the best Paul Simon song in existence, I wanted to highlight just another way the local wine community is coming together to support each other. The Wine Road is known for putting on awesome events showcasing the diversity that is the Sonoma wine region, now it’s become “the ‘one stop shop’ for links to virtual tastings, curbside delivery, as well as shipping and wine deals with wineries adding more tasting ideas and specials to the website daily.” The full press release with links is below. SIP Sonoma, save small businesses, and enjoy great wine. Cheers.
P.S. Bonus points if you can name all the masked wine marvels before the end credits.
Good Saturday morning! Here’s your list of the latest wine-related news I’ve been reading this past week. Hope this proves interesting, if not useful. Let me know your thoughts…
The following is a formal press release from Parallel Napa Valley
Napa, Calif.—In recognition of the heroic, life-saving efforts in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, Parallel Napa Valley is launching a series of complimentary online wine tastings for the very people who everyone should raise a glass to: America’s front line medical workers.
Each Thursday in May, from 5-6 p.m. PST starting on the 7th, Parallel will welcome 10 guests total in up to five locations for a complimentary tasting of two highly-rated Parallel wines (crafted by renowned winemaker Philippe Melka) with Parallel General Manager Adrienne Capps. The complimentary experience is valued at $225 per location and includes two bottles of Parallel wines shipped to the participants in advance.
“As we thought about what we could do to thank our first responders, we realized that these individuals might appreciate a night off, with some excellent wine,” said Adrienne Capps. “It’s our privilege to offer this experience as a way to help medical workers take a breath and relax and recharge after days spent fighting this virus that is wreaking so much havoc.”