Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Beautiful Summertime Gatherings Start With Viognier!

Viognier, pronounced (vee-ohn-yea), may be one of the toughest varietals from the Northern Rhône appellation of Condrieu to pronounce, but it is one of the friendliest white wines for summer. Our dry, crisp styled Viognier, with its creamy mouth feel, aromatic nose and fruit forward nature makes pairing this wine with summer fare a breeze. At your next neighborhood soirée, spark up the grill and throw down some chicken or fish, then finish it with a fresh mango-jalapeno salsa, or for the more adventurous, try a spicy Thai shrimp or curry chicken with coconut milk. Viognier is an incredible match.

In Paso Robles, the 2007 growing season had cool temperatures and perfect ripening conditions for Viognier. This vintage exhibits beautiful floral aromas of jasmine, orange blossom and honeysuckle, with tropical hints of pineapple, apricot and ripe citrus fruits on the finish, perfect to pair with tonight’s romantic dinner!

So, the next time you’re in the tasting room to pick up a bottle or three. Ask Kendall how many different pronunciations of Viognier she’s heard over the last few years. “Vig-neer” has got to be her favorite!

Try our 2007 Edward Sellers Viognier, I know you will enjoy it.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Why A Dry Grenache Rosé?

A dry Rosé is the first flower to bloom in the wine world. It's the first wine to be released from the previous year’s harvest. It will tease you to relax by the pool during those hot afternoons and balmy summer evenings reflecting upon the many pleasures of life.

A true Rosé is made from a saignée, which is an early “bleeding” of the tanks. This juice has only flirted with the contact of the Red Grenache skins that it once came from. This short, but timely interlude gives our Rosé its delightful color and fruity aromatics. Dry Rosé is a way to enjoy the characteristics of a red wine without being weighted down by its typical tannins and oak flavors.

We trust that you will find our 2008 Grenache Rosé to be one of the most flexible warm weather wines. It can accompany you on a day picnic or be right at home with a late evening grilled salmon served on the terrace.