Monteray - not only the Language Capital of the World

As I mentioned before a good wine really depends on the appellation and the terroir. I recently purchased a Sauvignon Blanc from Monteray, California which is south of San Francisco. Not only are they the Language Capital of the World but, they also have some awesome appellations for grape growing.

The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc from Morgan Winery has a citrus/gooseberry taste, light in color and was very food friendly. Morgan adds the Semillon grape to their Sauvignon Blanc which adds richness and a bit of grass. What makes this wine so good is the fruit from the cooler Arroyo Seco appellation blended with the grapes from the warmer appellation of San Lucas. The winter was very dry and the spring was cold and wet. Which cause the vines to struggle and produce a low yield of very high quality grapes.

The wine is tank fermented to capture the bright fruit flavors and than transferred to Bordeaux barrels. The barrel time helps to develop the complexity and texture of the wine. The first whiff of this wine will remind you of green apples and citrus, you may even get a hint of floral with a bit of grass. But the oak from the barrels really offsets any powerful flavors. Great wine for chicken or pork. The price at Total Wine is $12.99 a bottle - so it doesn't break the bank!

Call me a Wine Snob

I just can't do it. Today I went into Total Wine in search of some Sauvignon Blanc for my next post. My palette just wouldn't let me touch a bottle under $9. I firmly believe that it is truly hard to find any varietal wine under $9 that hasn't been so chemically altered and has the complexity I am looking for. They have less fruit, faint noses and the quickest way to a headache. Once your palette starts experiencing the "good stuff", it's tough to go back. So call me a wine snob, I am ok with it. With that being said, I did find some great deals on Sauvignon Blanc.

Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originated in the Bordeaux region of France. Depending on the climate, the flavor can range from grassy to sweet tropical. I often find them to be crisp and fresh. In my opinion a great wine that goes well with fish or sushi. The perfect refreshment to enjoy on those hot summer Florida days.

The Sauvignon Blanc vine often buds late but ripens early, which allows it to perform well in sunny climates - as long as it isn't exposed to too much heat. Cooler climate appellations are key for this grape. I purchased four Sauvignon Blancs from Total Wine. The appellations are all in California, from the Russian River Valley down to Monteray. Price ranges were $13 to $40 a bottle. Stay tune to see how they pair up against each other.

For the Love of Wine

I started this blog, because my husband and I are fascinated with wine. Not about drinking and partying. It's learning all of the complexity behind the wine. It all starts with the appellation, the prime spot to grow your grapes. Appellation is key to making a good wine. For example, Sonoma Coast, California is perfect for Pinot Noir but not for Cabernet Sauvignon. If you want a good Big Red like Cabernet or Merlot than the Napa floor is the key location. But if you want a good Chardonnay - the Carneros region of Napa is ideal, because of its terroir(the conditions - the micro-climate, soil, topography, and the viticulture), it is perfect for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes but yet they are in the same appellation - Napa. Confusing? Yes, but that's why we love wine because there is so much to learn.

So check our blog for wine reviews, educational notes, shopping tips and how to start drinking good wine even on a limited budget!