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The vineyard manager for Weibel in Mendocino County also owns about 250 acres of his own grapes. Much of his crop is sold to Weibel and other producers, but he does make some of his own wine from these grapes. For the 2009 vintage he made this Chardonnay, which was bottled in partnership with Vico Piccinini. Vico Piccinini primarily markets Italian wines, but also bottles some wines from California. When he finds a California wine of quality and value, he puts his own label on the wine. Many wines in this price category are made like this, as it is almost impossible both to make good wine that sells for under $15.00 retail, and also own a brick and mortar winery and vineyards. Piccinini has been doing this for a very long time and has a knack for finding the right blend of wines to put under his own label. He couldn't have picked a better area than Mendocino. It is really two separate areas: Anderson Valley, near the coast, is known for exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as sparkling wine made from the same grapes. Further inland is the area around Ukiah which is much warmer. This region produces excellent red wines such as Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and, occasionally, good Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Chardonnay is the most sought-after white grape in the world. Nearly every wine producing country grows it. To say that it is popular would be an incredible understatement. Winemakers love it because it tends to ripen easily and evenly, which is what you want in marginal climates like those found in Burgundy and Champagne, France; and Oregon. It is also extremely malleable. Our selection offers clean fruit flavors, a trademark of the cool Mendocino climate just a few miles from the ocean. It has lovely pear and apple flavors and a clean finish. Not a big wine, but not a pushover either. Try with chicken burgers, butternut squash ravioli or poached halibut. November 2011 Classic Series Newsletter (.pdf) Wine of the Month Club Classic Series November from Wine of the Month Club on Vimeo. |
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