The Wine Experience

Wine of the Week!
Pine Ridge 2006 Chenin/Viognier   $12    

Our wine of the week is a terrific every day white wine, Pine Ridge 2006 Chenin/Viognier.

Yes, it’s a bit unusual and not like your typical chardonnay. The blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier is a delightful departure and is a uniquely pleasant wine to enjoy anytime you just want to sip a glass of white.

The Chenin gives it the juicy flavor like a ripe honeydew melon while the Viognier adds a lush, honey like topping. Together they make a wine that is bright with a slightly sweet fruity flavor and so easy to drink all by itself. But it’s also the perfect addition to lots of appetizers…

Try it with soft cheeses, shrimp, smoked sea foods like salmon or trout, or even prosciutto and melon as a starter wine. And for twelve dollars a bottle you can always have some on hand.

Pine Ridge Chenin/Viognier is perfect for parties, too, since it’s got real crowd appeal.

Depart from the ordinary with our wine of the week and Pop the Cork™!

Wine on the Radio – January 11, 2008

Winemaker’s Notes and Comments:

ORIGIN: The fruity floral signature of Chenin Blanc and the fragrant bouquet of Viognier make up this unique bottling. Pine Ridge was the first California winery to develop this original blend.
VINEYARD: The Chenin Blanc and the Viognier were planted for us by Salman Farms and Wilson Vineyards, respectively, in the moderate river delta region of Clarksburg. Wilson Vineyards has supplied us with fruit for this blend since 1995.

WINEMAKING: Harvest is determined for the Chenin grapes when the pear and melon flavors have developed, usually around 19-20 degrees Brix. The Viognier is ripe much later, usually around 25 to 26 degrees Brix when the pink grapefruit, lychee, and tropical flavors develop. The grapes are harvested at night, and the juice is cold fermented in stainless steel tanks at 40- 45 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of 8-10 weeks to enhance the production of fruity, fl oral aromas. A major factor in creating this wine is selecting the moment of harvest. Since the sugar is low, the danger is picking too early and getting green, unripe flavors or waiting too long and having too much alcohol. The grapes, therefore, are carefully monitored to determine the precise moment that will yield a wine with the proper balance of a fruity, refreshing character and low alcohol content. The final blend of 86% Chenin Blanc and 14% Viognier was bottled in January of 2007.

TASTING NOTES: Floral and sweet on the nose, the 2006 Chenin Blanc-Viognier exhibits fragrant aromas of pear and melon, with a delicate touch of pink grapefruit. Sweet, bright flavors of citrus and pear are offered up along with a supple texture. The slightly off-dry finish is clean and crisp, marked with notes of grapefruit peel. Enjoy now or cellar for two years.
The vintage produced 23,200 cases.

Past Recommendations, Picks, and Wines of the Week

Notes on our Wines of the Week, Recommendations, and Picks:

When you read our thoughts, please remember that you may think differently.  A particular wine may be your favorite and not on our list.  Well, don't stop buying it because of that.  In fact, you may want to email us and let us know about it. These are our opinions but our FIRST recommendation is to go by your own palate.

A couple of other thoughts . . . first, prices are approximate.  They'll vary.  Second, different vintages mean different grapes and different tastes so our recommendation for a 2000 Merlot may not hold for 2001.

And lastly, we remind you to drink responsibly!  Now, all that said, here is a summary of links to our suggestions.  Find one (or more) and pop the cork!

Read the fine print . . .

Wine consumption can have positive physical benefits or cause possible physical harm . . . the medical community is divided in some areas.  If you have any doubt, check with your doctor before consuming wine or any other alcoholic drink. 

Our information is well researched.  Recommendations are based on our opinions at the time of publication.  At the same time, recommendations change.  Also, there may be significant variance in taste depending on storage, shipping, and other factors.

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