Cantiga Wineworks
Cantiga Wineworks is noteable for producing non-malolactically fermented red wines; quite a rarity. Founded by Rich and Christine Rorden, the winery vinifies grapes from the Lodi and Shenandoah Valley AVAs.
| Region: | Central Valley |
|---|---|
| Sub Region: | Lodi |
| Wine: | View all wines |
Cantiga Wineworks produces Zinfandel Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Shiraz. The Rorden Family uses both estate grown and purchased fruit for their wines.
The 2001 Tim and Edie’s Vineyard Zinfandel spent 16 months in French oak barrels, but was not malolactically fermented. The grapes for this wine were grown in Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley AVA in the Sierra Foothills.
Like the previous wine, Cantiga’s 2001 Ryan Oaks Vineyard Zinfandel was aged in French oak, but did not undergo malolactic fermentation. The 2001 Monterey Shiraz was aged in French oak barrels for 9 months. The clones from these vines were imported from coastal Australia.
The 2001 Barrel Aged Monterey Chardonnay spent 8 months in French oak. Cantiga also fermented a 2001 Chardonnay in stainless steel tanks using grapes from the same vineyard.
lodizin said:
I've talked to the winemaker there and he said malic acid is tart like an apple and lactic acid is sour like milk. He said most prefer the tartness of an apple and not the true sourness of malic acid. What he fails to realize though is that malolactic ferm will reduce the acid by half, therby making the wine have much softer mouthfeel and texture.
Posted 491 days ago.
diamondgirl said:
yeah, i've never heard of a red wine w/o malo. i'm kind of interested in seeing how it tastes.
Posted 491 days ago.
bradny said:
No malo for red wine? That is unusual, but I'd like to one of these wines out of curiosity. I wonder what their reasoning for that is?
Posted 491 days ago.
lodizin said:
Beacause Cantiga's wines don't go through malolactic ferm, I find their wines to be a little too "sharp" for my liking.For reds especially you must undergo secondary ferm. to really soften the wine. Many undergo ml and there's a reason why, I wouldn't recommend these wines to anybody..
Posted 493 days ago.