WINE WEDNESDAY: GRENACHE BLANC
A relative of the red grape Grenache, Grenache Blanc is a white wine grape which originated in Spain and later brought to the Rhone Valley. It's now the fourth most widely planted grape in France.
Grenache Blanc is prized for its rich, bright flavors, crisp acidity, and high alcohol. Wines are typically low in acidity with citrus and herbaceous notes. It is a vigorously growing vine which can lead to overproduction and diminished quality if yields are not controlled.
Grenache Blanc grapes are flexible in the wine making process. They respond well to low fermentation temperatures, which will produce fresh, herbal scents. It's noteworthy that Grenache Blanc also tastes well served at chilled temperatures when its crispness is at the forefront.
Single varietal bottlings of Grenache Blanc are straw colored wines characterized by crisp acids, green apple and mandarin aromas, and flavors of apple, mineral and peach. It responds well to malolactic fermentation as well as oak aging.
When utilized as a blending grape, as it frequently is in the white blends of Chateauneuf du Pape, it brings fruitiness and fatness to the wine. It is frequently found blended with Roussanne as its crisp acidity balances the rich honey of the Roussanne. It is also prized in blends for its long finish.
Grenache Blanc plantings are now thriving in Spain, France, North America and Australia. San Louis Obispo County in Central California continues to lead the way in new Grenache Blanc plantings as well as single varietal wines.
FLAVOR PROFILE:
Aromas of green fruit and citrus, apple, lime, and peach. Floral and herbal notes are prominent, plump and full bodied on the palate. Bright flavors, crisp acidity, and a long, spice-driven finish.
FEATURED PRODUCER
Three Clicks Wines
Three Clicks Wines was founded by Bruce Devlin and his wife Danielle, who met at UC Davis where they both studied viticulture and oenology.
The fruit was hand harvested and whole cluster pressed directly after picking and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The tank was chilled down to 50F so that the juice would undergo a cool, slow, and steady fermentation. All of this was done in an effort to preserve the beautiful floral and citrus flavors. The finished wine was aged on the lees and prevented from undergoing malolactic fermentation. The wines have limited exposure to oxygen and bottle in early January to harness the bright fruit, crispness, and pure nature of this wine. 200 cases
Three Click's 2016 Grenache Blanc has aromas of tangerine, honeysuckle, pear, nectarine, and tropical flowers. It has vibrant acidity and refreshing quality. The palate is fruit driven with flavors of tangerine, lime, and nectarines. The wine is has viscosity and weight across the mouth, and the body is fulfilling in texture. This Grenache Blanc finishes with lingering stone fruit flavors.
FEATURED VINEYARD
Central Coast - Santa Ynez Valley
95 acres +/-
The story of Camp 4 Vineyard begins with the late Fess Parker. After purchasing the 1,400 acre property, Parker decided to plant 256 acres of grapes on the land in 1999 and it produced its first successful crop harvest in 2003. The vineyard’s name, Camp 4, refers to the land being the fourth stop on a passage from San Francisco to Yuma, Arizona, during the stagecoach days. In 2010, The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians purchased the property. The vineyard is situated on the eastern most edge of Santa Ynez Valley and serves as the gateway into Happy Canyon. The vineyard is home to 19 varietals focusing on Rhone and Bordeaux grapes and provides an ideal micro-climate for these varietals with a long growing season and maximum flavor development. The warmer climates and clay-loam soils of this site shows great potential for producing fully ripened, mature fruit.
MORE INK ON GRENACHE BLANC
