Varietals
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Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is a high yielding varietal, especially in warmer climates. It is often necessary to regulate the crop size in order to produce wines of any depth. The Chenin Blanc grape is relatively easy to grow but is rarely cultivated to its potential.
Gewurztraminer
Gewurztraminer is a similar varietal to Riesling though it has spicier characteristics. Wines made from Gewurztraminer have a nose and flavor profile with a significant amount of fruit and cinnamon with nutty overtones.
Malvasia
Malvasia is really a family of grapes as several sub-varieties exist. There are white, pink and red versions of the grape. Different versions of Malvasia are widely grown in Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Marsanne
Wines made from the Marsanne grape have citrus flavors with a hint of minerality. It is critical that the grape is grown in low yields in order to produce flavorful wines. Unfortunately much of the viticultural production of Marsanne throughout the world is quite bland.
Muscadet
Muscadet is synonymous with the Melon de Bourgogne grape. It was originally brought from Burgundy to the City of Nantes in the Loire Valley. Very few Muscadets will improve with age and the vast majority should be enjoyed young.
Muscat
Muscat is a family of different grapes that are grown all over the world. Also called Moscatel and Muscatel, the Mucat grape has been cultivated by humans for many centuries.
Pinot Blanc
Wines made form Pinot Blanc has a similar flavor profile to Chardonnay, but has less body. Pinot Blanc’s lineage can be traced to Pinot Gris, and ultimately to Pinot Noir.
Pinot Gris
Also known as Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris is a mutation of Pinot Noir and is used makes white wines. Pinot Gris has historically been grown in Alsace, Venezia, and the Alto Adige region in the foothills of the Italian Alps.
Riesling
Riesling is a difficult varietal to grow properly, requiring a long, cool growing season to develop its noble characteristics. When vinified to its potential, the elegance of Riesling wines is unmatched.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc has recently become more popular in California due to its food friendly characteristics. Wines made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes have fresh flavors, are light bodied are not as overwhelming as Chardonnay can be.
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