California Wines & Wineries: "This wine will make my yearly Best Wines Tasted"
California Wines & Wineries
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/09/09/2023-girasole-vineyards-pinot-blanc-a-refreshing-alternative/
Background
I previously have written a couple of stories on BARRA of Mendocino. The winery has two labels, one of them being Girasole Vineyards. All their wines are California Certified Organically Farmed (CCOF) and have been for 20 years. Even before certification, Charlie Barra had been doing this twenty plus years before “being certified”. You can read the history, the vision, the family and vineyards at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2022/03/30/barra-of-mendocino-winery-2019-petite-sirah/
History of Pinot Blanc
What is Pinot Blanc? The history of this grape is a bit tangled with mystery and misunderstanding. This white wine grape is essentially a mutation but sharing mostly the same DNA with Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Pinot Blanc has wide ranging descriptors: high in acidity, low in acidity, mix of fresh fruits, aromas (apple, citrus), pear, a little buttery, a bit creamy, hint of spiciness, dry, floral characteristics, honey, sweet, possessing stone fruit aromas, heavier minerality, cabbage odor, etc. The grape is best known for growing in Alsace, eastern France and borders the countries of Germany and Switzerland.
Where is it grown? The main areas for this variety are Alsace (northeast France), the Alto Adige region in Italy and neighboring areas of Alsace in Germany & Austria. Pinot Blanc is also taking hold in Canada’s Okanagan Valley as one of their signature wines. Other areas include Hungary, Croatia, Spain, Washington, California and Oregon. In France it is permissible to blend this varietal with other grapes in some quantities.
What other names does it go by? Warning: the list is a minefield for possible mispronunciations: Austria (Weissburgunder or Klevner), Hungary (Feher Burgundi); Spain & Italy (Pinot Bianco), Czech Republic (Rulandske Bile), Slovakia (Rulandske Biele) and Argentina (Pinot Bianco). In the Champagne region, Pinot Blanc is often called Blanc Vrai. In the United States, besides Pinot Blanc, it is often referred to as a white ABC (anything but Chardonnay) or a stepchild to Chardonnay. The truth of this varietal is very different!
The number of acres planted of Pinot Blanc is 259 acres statewide in California per the 2023 California Grape Acreage Report from California Dept of Food & Agriculture. Upon several previous tastings of various Pinot Blanc’s, I was impressed with the aromas, flavors, textures and tastes of this varietal. What stood out was this wine was significantly different from France to California. Admittedly, I have not tasted this varietal in all the previous countries mentioned. In France Pinot Blanc wines can and may add Auxerrois (from the town in Chablis region) but still labeled as Pinot Blanc. Auxerrois often has a “green vegetable quality” to it and it can add a cabbage tinge. What are the differences between California and French Pinot Blanc? Apart from “terroir”, as mentioned the French often blend in Auxerrois and it has a distinct “green vegetable” on the palate. When I tasted a Sonoma and Napa Valley Pinot Blanc I was taken back with a soft “cotton candy sweetness” verses the French “cabbage flavor” on the palate and finish.
The Winery
The Pinot Blanc comes from their Redwood Valley Vineyards. It is their home ranch, originally planted by Charlie Barra in 1955 (175 acres). An additional 90 acres have been added for a total of 265 acres. Today the vineyards are planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard elevation is 820 feet and has six man-made freshwater ponds for both frost protection in the spring and irrigation in the summer. It is designated CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) and certified in 1989.
In addition, they have two other vineyards, Bella Collina representing 27 acres and Vineyards at Barra of Mendocino Tasting Room having 50 acres.
2023 Girasole Pinot Blanc – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
First, on the eyes you are greeted with a clear pale golden hue for color and a medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose honeysuckle and orange blossom greet the senses. Secondary aromas of a soft sweet vegetable characteristic of snow peas and a hint of lemon citrus are present. On the palate, tastes of a slight fresh earthiness, intense floral, coupled with white peach make for a rich and flavorful tasting with a tinge of sweetness on the finish. The finish was full and multi-layered especially as it went from chilled to warming up but always smooth and mid-lasting. One of the unique characteristics of this wine is the full creamy mouth feeling it provides during the tasting and especially on the finish. The grapes were harvested from their Redwood Valley Vineyards in Mendocino and then “cold aged in stainless steel at 40 degrees to retain freshness and fruit character”.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This is now on my list for summertime enjoyment as a wine of balance and place. It is 100% Pinot Blanc, vegan friendly and amazingly sells for $16/bottle!! The wine comes in at 13% alcohol. This wine will make my yearly Best Wines Tasted (comes out annually mid-December).
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
What foods pair well with California Pinot Blanc? Almost anything with subtle flavoring, so soft cheese (goat or sheep), salads with cheese dressings, or mild fish to taste this “more delicate varietal”. Conversely, if you want to highlight the meal and want a complimentary wine, you can serve California Pinot Blanc’s with Salmon, shrimp, scallops, far eastern chicken dishes, pizza, sushi & sashimi and even cured Italian prosciutto.
This evening had a spinach tomato feta stuffed chicken breast. Ingredients included chopped spinach, sundried tomatoes, feta cheese, shallot, minced garlic, fresh basil, panko, fresh oregano, Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder and olive oil. Accompanied by sugar snap peas and rice pilaf. The textures and flavors of the chicken stuffing provided a marked contrast to the smooth and roundedness of the wine. A very nice pairing for dinner.
The quintessential take away is that California Pinot Blanc possess wide ranging characteristics and flavors. It is much more than your Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc wine and will provide a new adventure and a great addition to your everyday whites. The 2023 Girasole Pinot Blanc was a real treat.
Slainte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwines.com
https://www.girasolevineyards.com