tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post860774902609419205..comments2024-03-18T04:47:16.199-07:00Comments on The Gray Report: Should wine lovers care about California's Central Valley?W. Blake Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-46508603298690196882016-02-24T19:48:25.097-08:002016-02-24T19:48:25.097-08:00I have a hard time excluding areas that are (almos...I have a hard time excluding areas that are (almost) universally accepted as components of the Central Valley. Central Valley minus Lodi, minus Sierra Foothills, minus the Delta...<br /><br />I have a great respect for any winemaker or grower who puts quality over quantity. The real trend of the future is going to be a stronger focus on quality in the inland valley of California. Currently, I Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00617989286397459865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-61732243595891868232016-02-23T10:25:52.642-08:002016-02-23T10:25:52.642-08:00Let me answer your question.... "Should wine ...Let me answer your question.... "Should wine lovers care about California's Central Valley?" <br /><br />The answer is NO... But if someone in a restaurant or retail establishment suggests or offers them a wine from this area great !!!Maybe they buy and enjoy or not. But wine lovers should not care about Cali's Central Coast. <br /><br />Wine Lovers expect a nice bottle of Wine Life Radiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13143937355634986195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-5737923254327023532016-02-22T15:30:38.805-08:002016-02-22T15:30:38.805-08:00Well stated and I like how you have given some exc...Well stated and I like how you have given some excellent directions. It's there is he wishes to find out where the true artists and significant production has been shifting as sales and marketing have taken over in the larger producers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01639040311412017577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-6286916133726056772016-02-22T15:24:47.798-08:002016-02-22T15:24:47.798-08:00Can't see the forest for the trees......
If n...Can't see the forest for the trees......<br /><br />If nothing else, this article has instigated some very interesting conversations !<br />I live in the SJV and I have found some great wines. I am in the 35-45 year age group and I enjoy wines of depth and character. Something beyond just a Chardonnay.<br /><br />It is very sad indeed that you have not had the opportunity to partake of our Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10873998484785840335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-76581455456878714972016-02-22T15:04:33.820-08:002016-02-22T15:04:33.820-08:00Blake:
This is a very interesting articl...Blake:<br /> This is a very interesting article on the demise of wines and the grape crop of the proud Central Valley. I have to point out that the region you point to as the Central Valley and the San Joaquin Valley is so vast that to make the assumption that it is homogeneous or even centered in Lodi is to miss so many micro climates and and varietals as to really do yourself a Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01639040311412017577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-4656219607096241142016-02-22T14:12:32.335-08:002016-02-22T14:12:32.335-08:00We're not discussing where the wine is made bu...We're not discussing where the wine is made but, rather, where the grapes are grown . Even though, at 1500 feet in elevation, we are not physically/ technically in the Central Valley, (we're located off the coast of Yosemite) we do source from several Madera farmers of quality and conscience. Uber Rhenish, Barrel fermented Dry Riesling from Hagopian Vineyard, Savvy, co-fermented Dry Winesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02562404385219180265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-22529590016249568552016-02-22T11:02:55.038-08:002016-02-22T11:02:55.038-08:00I will have to comb through the Bookmarked website...I will have to comb through the Bookmarked websites on my phone...<br /><br />First, are we excluding any other inner California regions, aside from Lodi? What about bottles from upstarts on Treasure Island using grapes from CoCo or Clarksburg? Sierra Foothills? Santa Clara? Livermore? <br /><br />Are we solely evaluating the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, or just San Joaquin Valley?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00617989286397459865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-54466704838444037962016-02-22T10:31:00.559-08:002016-02-22T10:31:00.559-08:00http://www.idlehourwinery.com/scripts/newsPg.cfmhttp://www.idlehourwinery.com/scripts/newsPg.cfmMChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11578776481066910388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-89521093265351573392016-02-21T21:47:32.116-08:002016-02-21T21:47:32.116-08:00Blake,
McManis Family Vineyards is worth taking a...Blake,<br /><br />McManis Family Vineyards is worth taking a look at. (Although I can't say that any one wine is sourced exclusively from San Joaquin Valley grapes.)<br /><br />http://www.sfgate.com/wine/article/The-Chronicle-s-best-budget-brands-McManis-2614924.php<br /><br />[Eagle-eyed readers might recognize the byline of the above article's author.]<br /><br />http://www.sfgate.com/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537737782259421612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-68654599686136337862016-02-21T21:25:13.428-08:002016-02-21T21:25:13.428-08:00Drew,
If you like Carignan, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel,...Drew,<br /><br />If you like Carignan, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, and Alicante Bouschet -- singularly or in a blend -- then check out Morgan Twain-Peterson's Shebang! red wine.<br /><br />~~ Bob<br /><br />Excerpt from The Wall Street Journal “Off-Duty" Section<br />(March 6, 2015, Page Unknown):<br /><br />“The Red-Wine Blends Trend: More Than Just Flashy Packaging"<br /><br />Link: Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537737782259421612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-72944328675572197432016-02-21T20:46:40.126-08:002016-02-21T20:46:40.126-08:00So Drew, help me out. What wines from the San Joaq...So Drew, help me out. What wines from the San Joaquin Valley do YOU like? (As stated in the post, Lodi doesn't count. I'd have no trouble recommending 10 Lodi wines.)W. Blake Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-88836547146622213972016-02-21T19:51:22.092-08:002016-02-21T19:51:22.092-08:00I am a Louisiana wine lover with a strong affinity...I am a Louisiana wine lover with a strong affinity for Carignan, Mourvedre, Zinfandel, and Alicante Bouschet. The new Millenials are apparently embracing more "authentic" wines, and buzzwords like "heritage", "historic", "traditional", and *gasp* "natural" captivate them more than critter wines. <br /><br />I believe that the Lodi Wines group and Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00617989286397459865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-25449296280805150302016-02-20T23:22:30.834-08:002016-02-20T23:22:30.834-08:00Footnote.
From Google's archive of out-of-pri...Footnote.<br /><br />From Google's archive of out-of-print media:<br /><br />"A hearty wine whose time has come -- again."<br /><br />https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=20060906&id=7PIeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dYYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2834,1168735&hl=en<br /><br />(Dan Berger's "On Wine" column appears in the Napa Valley Register and the Santa Rosa Press Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537737782259421612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-44531596472428487712016-02-20T22:50:56.634-08:002016-02-20T22:50:56.634-08:00I can't put a '70s decade bottle of Gallo ...I can't put a '70s decade bottle of Gallo Hearty Burgundy in your hands.<br /><br />Next best: a nostalgic look at those wines:<br /><br />"Hearty Burgundy Celebrates 50 Years"<br /><br />http://www.princeofpinot.com/article/1491/<br /><br />"On the hunt for that old-fashioned 'Burgundy'; "Getting reacquainted."<br /><br />http://Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09537737782259421612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-40160985502632840272016-02-19T23:26:38.767-08:002016-02-19T23:26:38.767-08:00It's going to take effort, courage, and invest...It's going to take effort, courage, and investment, but there is no reason the SJV can't produce consistent world-class wines. If growers can dedicate small sections of their plantings to trials, coordinate those plantings and varietals, encourage local competitions and promote them - I believe the Big Valley can be resurrected with a new identity with appeal to any wine lover.Rob McMillan rmcmillan@svb.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396624790174552807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-5606698328541962812016-02-19T23:26:20.062-08:002016-02-19T23:26:20.062-08:00It's going to take effort, courage, and invest...It's going to take effort, courage, and investment, but there is no reason the SJV can't produce consistent world-class wines. If growers can dedicate small sections of their plantings to trials, coordinate those plantings and varietals, encourage local competitions and promote them - I believe the Big Valley can be resurrected with a new identity with appeal to any wine lover.Rob McMillan rmcmillan@svb.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396624790174552807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-84371705732208600352016-02-19T16:17:07.361-08:002016-02-19T16:17:07.361-08:00Clark and I share the same moniker, Blake.
Not sur...Clark and I share the same moniker, Blake.<br />Not sure who nabbed it first but I kinda like the company.<br />There is so much commendable truth in your piece. And a few glaring omissions.<br />We would love to host an orientation for you. Perhaps we could even get Clark to come? Thanks for your kind consideration.<br /><br />Ray Krause<br />Westbrook Wine FarmWinesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02562404385219180265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-37453978681714072582016-02-19T15:49:44.800-08:002016-02-19T15:49:44.800-08:00Kathleen Manock: Anybody can win a medal. I know: ...Kathleen Manock: Anybody can win a medal. I know: I judge competitions. One competition I judged gave medals to 88% of applicants, and the head judge kept walking through the rooms exhorting us to give more (I don't judge that one anymore.)<br /><br />But you're right, I have not tasted your wines. And I'd like to.<br /><br />You too, Clark (is that you?) Kathleen, Clark: How about weW. Blake Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-61531374169164409582016-02-19T15:37:28.581-08:002016-02-19T15:37:28.581-08:00Blake, we fear most that which we know the least.
...Blake, we fear most that which we know the least.<br />Maybe get to know some of the single vineyard designated wines from fruit grown in Madera County and the Madera AVA and labeled as such. Love Ranch Vineyard, Fasi Estate, Laurie's Vineyard, Westbrook Wine Farm. You may have to look a bit harder as these are not grocery store items.Winesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02562404385219180265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-85835216943467627992016-02-19T13:20:02.194-08:002016-02-19T13:20:02.194-08:00Mr. W. Blake Gray: "best online wine writer i...Mr. W. Blake Gray: "best online wine writer in the world"<br />Why then did some of our wines (%100 grown, produced, and bottles in Fresno County) receive gold or silver medals from the Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, San Francisco wine competitions? We have earned 18 medals in the last 2 years. You obviously have not tasted these wines...and your opinion is outdated by at least 30 Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447396930211134797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-45904792935990057202016-02-19T11:46:37.061-08:002016-02-19T11:46:37.061-08:00This is an old story, and will likely continue on ...This is an old story, and will likely continue on ad nauseum. But many great wines have been made in the Central Valley over the years, they have just not made it to the mainstream markets. I had a tasting lunch in my back yard last year, with a number of wine professionals, and we made it an X3 lunch, tasting wines from 2013, 2003, 1993, 1983, 1973, 1963, and 1953. One of the favorites was a TonyChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02624726282279864083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-15291869251936870192016-02-19T10:38:42.608-08:002016-02-19T10:38:42.608-08:00Jeff, I agree that the nomenclatures are confusing...Jeff, I agree that the nomenclatures are confusing because, yes, technically the Lodi AVA falls within San Joaquin County, yet is differentiated as the Delta, or District 11. Whereas the San Joaquin Valley grape growing region (Districts 12, 13, 14) runs south of Stockton down to Bakersfield. Climatically, a difference between Region III (Lodi) and Region V (San Joaquin Valley).<br /><br />But I Randy Caparoso:https://www.blogger.com/profile/09592071993026270036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-32286435377475614232016-02-19T10:36:13.735-08:002016-02-19T10:36:13.735-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Randy Caparoso:https://www.blogger.com/profile/09592071993026270036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-60591697051265856442016-02-19T09:29:45.077-08:002016-02-19T09:29:45.077-08:00Hi Blake....good insight, and I generally agree wi...Hi Blake....good insight, and I generally agree with what you said, specifically that consumers drove (and still do) varietal demand, hence the large amounts of varietals planted in the SJV over the last three decades. In order to fulfill the demand QUICKLY and INEXPENSIVELY, that's largely where the ball bounced to. Consumers wanted Merlot and Chardonnay for $5-8 bucks, but it's Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03383007803282904837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-64779934909118171702016-02-19T09:17:36.910-08:002016-02-19T09:17:36.910-08:00I can't name 5 ctrl vlly producers but I can n...I can't name 5 ctrl vlly producers but I can name 2: Quady and Ficklin. (Vya is an offshoot of Quady.) And these are not table wines.Patrick Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144823620170293402noreply@blogger.com