April 8th, 2016
Dry Creek Valley Wines for Springtime
Springtime boasts fresh cut fields, gorgeous blooms, bees buzzing and warm sunshine all over the idyllic Dry Creek Valley. You can truly taste all of these in our springtime wines. Grassy notes in Sauvignon Blanc, bright florals in our Rose, honeysuckle in the Viognier and refreshment from the heat in a tall glass of bubbly.
Fortunately, Dry Creek Valley is home to over 30 different grape varietals and offers many wine choices perfect for any mood. Here’s a guide on where to find some of what we’re drinking this spring!
Chardonnay
The chardonnay grape can make wines that are lean with zippy acidity, briny minerality, and flavors of apple and citrus–or it can make wines that are a little bolder, with ripe tropical fruit flavors often complemented by the vanilla and coconut flavors imparted from aging in new oak. You’ll find some of each style in Dry Creek Valley. These wines can pair with white fish, shellfish, buttered vegetables, and even chicken or pork.
A Glass of Chardonnay @sbragiafamilyvineyards
Try these Dry Creek Valley Chardonnays:
2014 Home Ranch Chardonnay by Sbragia Family Vineyards ($30)
Tasting Notes: Aromas of ripe apples, tropical fruit and toasted almonds with a buttery brioche. On the nose there is vanilla and baking spice from the oak, but on the palate it is pure apple and citrus with bright acidity and a long, weighty finish.
2014 La Nue Chardonnay by Michel-Sclumberger ($28)
Tasting Notes: Aromas of fresh apricots, wildflowers. On the palate there’s bright acidity, fresh apricot and floral flavors, long rich fruit finish
2012 Chardonnay by Amista Vineyards ($30)
Tasting Notes: White peach, nectarine and a hint of citrus on the nose. On the palate, the rich stone fruit continues, with a round and full mid-palate and a balanced acidity.
Sauvignon Blanc
With its bright citrus flavors and tones of fresh savory herbs, this wine is a quintessential weather quencher. Great with everything from oysters to green salads to lighter Mexican food, this abounds in Dry Creek Valley and on picnic tables everywhere.
@karennau
See What All the Buzz is About with Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc:
2014 Fig Tree Sauvignon Blanc by Quivira Vineyards ($24)
Tasting Notes: Aromas of lime and freshly cut grass that leads to flavors of pineapple, lemon and lime along with an undercurrent of wet stone. Wonderful for pairing with a plate of briny oysters or a creamy goat cheese.
2014 Sauvignon Blanc by Comstock Wines ($24)
Tasting Notes: Flavors of citrus blossom, papaya and mango. A crisp lemon-lime finish make this Sauvignon Blanc an incredible partner for shell fish and delicate seafood like sole.
2014 Sauvignon Blanc by Mauritson Wines ($21)
Tasting Notes: Loaded with amazing fruit, this crisp wine entices with lemon zest and pink grapefruit, accented by flavors of dried apricot, white peach, passion fruit and limestone.
2015 Sauvignon Blanc by Dry Creek Vineyard ($18)
Tasting Notes: Flavors of Meyer lemons, tangerines and mineral notes come through with a slightly creamy, but lively finish. Stainless steel fermentation was supplemented with small amounts of chestnut, acacia and French oak barrels adding additional character and nuance to this delicious wine.
Rosé
While we love rosé in every season, we’re delighted to have entered the time of year in which it’s en vogue to drink it. According to Nielsen, the United States accounts for 13% of all rosé consumed worldwide. With its diverse microclimates and soil types, Dry Creek Valley is producing a lovely range of rosé wines in different styles and shades of pink.
@pedroncelliwinery
Make Sure You Have These Rosés Ready for Your Springtime Guests:
2015 Dry Rosé of Zinfandel by J. Pedroncelli ($12)
Tasting Notes: Inviting aromas of fresh strawberry, watermelon and spicy pepper. These are nicely balanced with the crisp taste of pomegranate, more strawberry and a bit of orange zest.
2014 Salmon Run Rosé of Zinfandel by Truett Hurst Winery ($20)
Tasting Notes: Peaches. Alpine strawberry. Honeysuckle. Pairs with fresh fruit, cheese and spicy dishes.
2014 Estate Rosé of Syrah by Gustafson Family Vineyards ($20)
Tasting Notes: Opens with juicy watermelon, guava, and a hint of bubblegum, balanced by tangy pomegranate, fresh cherry blossom, and sour cherry. There is a delightful minerality that stands somewhere between wet stone and spring rain, which is followed by the characteristic mid-palate creaminess that comes from fermenting in barrel.
Sparkling
Effervescence has been observed in wine throughout history and has been noted by Ancient Greek and Roman writers but the cause of this mysterious appearance of bubbles was not understood. Over time it has been attributed to phases of the moon as well as both good and evil spirits. While it does taste magical, it’s actually science! Sparkling wines are grapes with significant amounts of yeast added to the winemaking process which adds carbon dioxide to it, making it fizzy.
@amistavineyards
We have a few distinct sparkling wine producers in Dry Creek Valley worth celebrating:
NV Sparkling Blanc de Blanc by Amista Vineyards ($40)
Tasting Notes: Crisp pear start out this glass of bubbles. On the palate, the pear notes continue and are complimented by hints of green apple and lemon zest.
NV Sparkling Blanc de Noirs by Cast Wines ($32)
Tasting Notes: Classic brioche and grapefruit in the aromas. The fine creamy mousse has flavors of baked apple and a hint of light lime zest.
Sparkling Grenache by Amista Vineyards ($42)
Tasting Notes: The palate is round and lush, with a bright acidity to balance out the fullness. This wine will be perfect for any classic sparkling wine and food pairing, but will also make a great conversation wine, just hanging out with friends and family before a meal, or anytime.
Other Whites
Dry Creek Valley is known for its many Rhone and other white varietals that are all of the highest caliber.
Why Not Give These Whites a Try?
2013 Grenache Blanc by Frick ($26)
Tasting Notes: Aromas are bright green apple, tangerine , melon and mandarin orange, with crisp flavors of apple,pear, mango, pineapple,and a touch of peach. Ends dry with a mineral edge.
2013 Viognier by Trattore Farms ($27)
Tasting Notes: Lush aromatic profile of tropical fruit, honeysuckle, white peach and hints of apricot, it is smooth, yet with a bright and crisp mouthfeel and great minerality.
2014 Gewurztraminer by Mill Creek ($23)
Tasting Notes: very vibrant nose of honeysuckle, lychee fruit and rose petals giving way to like flavors. The wine is almost completely dry, with a touch of fruitiness on the finish. Try with Balsamic glazed duck with figs, Cajun shrimp or ginger and green pepper marinated chicken.
Something Sweet
Serve a dessert wine after your meal with a light cheese and fruit plate! This is the perfect way to avoid having to turn on your oven and bake when it is getting hot outside.
These Sweet Sips are Perfect for Spring:
2012 Late Harvest Viognier by West Wines ($32)
Tasting Notes: Full of ripe mango, peach and some pineapple. Despite being a sweet dessert wine it has a fresh acidity of tangerine and a lingering subtle aftertaste.
2011 Muscat Blend by Peterson Winery ($36)
Tasting Notes: Striking aromatics of fragrant honeysuckle and orange blossom, with a touch of peach, set the tone for this delicious elixir. The rich, velvety texture caresses the palate with lush flavors of zesty orange, nectarine, lychee nut, honey and hazelnut that lingering into the finish
2014 Estate Late Harvest Moscato by DaVero Farms & Winery ($34)
Tasting Notes: This fruit is biodynamic certified and fermented by the native yeasts in the vineyard. With a risidual sugar of only 9.5%, this is a less sweet style then most.
