
Pinot Noir showcased at the May Wines of the World from the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance
"A devil of a wine!"
André Tchelistcheff, America's most influential post-Prohibition winemaker, declared that "God made Cabernet Sauvignon whereas the devil made Pinot noir."
Join us May 10 at the Historic Murphys Hotel, 5:30pm-7pm for an evening of Californian Pinot Noir. Steve Collum, of Vineyard Concepts, and Sara Teeter, Executive Director of the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, host this educational event! Travel California with us as we explore the cool climates where Pinot Noir thrives. Chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France, we will explore how this varietal grows in California. Regions discussed will be:
Sonoma Coast, Rusian River Valley, Carneros, Anderson Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Calaveras and the Santa Cruz Mountains
Sara Teeter remarked, "Pinot Noir can be one of the most difficult varietals to produce an cultivate into wine. I have worked for several wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and some of the winemakers refused to make Pinot Noir! They knew they did Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon well and didn't need to bother attempting Pinot. While other winemakers accepted the challenge. The micro climates in that particular area make for growing Pinot Noir so well. You get a balance of coastal fog blanketing the grapes and bright hot sunshine from the higher elevation. But they are myriad reasons as to why this grape can be difficult. It's very sensitive to heat, wind, frost, and needs to be low yielding for quality juice. In the winery it is sensitive to fermentation methods and yeast strains, while it's skin can be prone to all sorts of diseases."
Steve Collum will present this wine tasting beginning in the northern counties of California with a sparkling wine and end the tasting in the southern most region of Santa Lucia Highlands.
Wines of the World is an integral part of the wine association’s educational program. Cost for CWA members is $15 and $25 for non-members. Guests are welcomed to dine at the hotel afterward with a $5 discount on each entrée. For more information, call 728-9467 or visit online at calaveraswines.org.