Lodi rocks with cool whites
I received an email from a reader asking me what wines I could recommend for these hot summer days. I suggested several whites with low alcohols and high acidity. I also said, it’s an excellent time to try different wines besides the big three, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. A week later, I received an invitation to a virtual wine tasting of six Lodi white wines hosted by the Lodi Winegrape Commission. I guess the wine gods were telling me, “Hey stupid, here are six more whites you should have recommended.”
We tasted the 2019 Estate Grown Fiano from the Oak Farm Vineyards, a 2018 Clairette Blanche from Acquiesce Winery and Vineyards, a 2019 Terra Alta Vineyard-Clements Hills Albarino from Bokisch Vineyards, a 2019 Kerner-Bacchus-Riesling blend from the Markus Wine Company, the Peltier 2018 Preeminence, a white blend of Chardonnay, Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc and the LangeTwins 2018 Jahant Woods 01 Vineyard Musque Clone Sauvignon Blanc. All six are award-winning wines, low in alcohol and acidic, perfect for these hot summer days.
Most people consider Lodi to be red wine country. They’re correct, with Old Vine Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah. However, that’s just half of the picture. The Lodi AVA produces 125-plus wine grape varieties. Aside from the big three, here are the rest of the white grapes that thrive there: Albarino, Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Gewürztraminer, Grenache Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, Kerner, Marsanne, Muller-Thurgau, Muscat Orange, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Piquepoul, Riesling, Roussanne, Semillon, Silvaner, Torrontes, Verdejo, Verdelho, Vermentinno and Viognier.
Hmmm ... maybe I should have made a list of what doesn’t grow in Lodi. The region is perfectly suited for white varietals. Warm (OK, hot) days with cooling Delta breezes at night allows the grapes to fully develop and retain their acidity. If you’d like to taste and learn more about the white wines of Lodi, go to lodiwine.com. And to the wine gods, thanks for the help.
What’s on Our Table
The Steal: Do you remember the Aussie wine invasion in the mid-’80s and Lindeman’s Bin 65 Chardonnay? Well, it’s back at Trader Joe’s for just $2.99 and if Chardonnay’s your thing, that’s less than $40 a case.
The Deal: Avalon Wines 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is 82% Cabernet, 17% Merlot and 1% Petite Sirah. The SRP is $19.95. However, when it is on sale it is an amazing Napa Valley Cabernet buy.
The Splurge: The 2016 CRU Winery Vineyard Montage Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir took Best of Class, Double Gold and a score of 97 in the Sunset Tasting. At $25, I suggest a multiple bottle purchase. Cheers!
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.