Napa Valley wine terroir shielded by European Union

AFP ^ | 5/28/07 | AFP

[Clemenza]

Ping!

[Hoplite]

A "terroir" is a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation, and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions, grapes and wine making savoir-faire, which contribute to give its specific personality to the wine.

This post brought to you by the "WTF is that word?" Club for Men, who note that the Napa Valley terroirists have won this round.

[JerseyHighlander]

The EU is doing it wrong.

[Clemenza]

Actually, my favorite appelation is the Sierra Foothills, home of Zins that sock you in the mouth, in the good sense.

Much as I love Napa Cabs (Stags is still my fave), they have become WAY overpriced.

[Cinnamon]

I’d swear I thought it was about a ring of terrorists busted in Napa valley

[sergeantdave]

Making a wine tour of Napa Valley is well worth your time, but beware of the restaurants. Avoid “yuppie” joints, especially in Calistoga, where they’ve made an art of creating food fit for a dog, tacky ambience, and service that reviles POW treatment by sadistic guards.

I still vividly recall the unknown dish of apparent green frog guts, minced manzinita vinaigrette, topped with 10 year old dead goat cheese, with a side of ancient sourdough bread fit only as armor plate for an Abrams tank. And the house’s choice of wine was thinly disguised windshield washer whose bouquet could kill a Biblical plague of insects.

[AndrewB]

...and the portions were so small!

[quantim]

"Europe does not have a monopoly on producing fine wines,"

Be +/- on this low volume wine ping list.

Oenology news ping.

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Be +/- on this low volume culinary ping list.

Culinary news ping.

[NautiNurse]

Your creative description is bum apetit!

[quantim]

It would behoove the rest of the American domestic market to do the same with our AVA's (American Viticulture Area) for proprietary reasons.

I can imagine a bunch of left over bilge say from Languedoc re-labeled "Sonoma Style," or maybe "Columbia Valley Blend" or other such gimmick.

Just as Gallo called their swill "Chablis" before they got sued.

[GVnana]

Sierra Foothill appellation bump!

[F.J. Mitchell]

“....and the portions were small.”

LOL!

Go ahead and tell him sergeantdave: Nobody likes a smart ass! ;-)

[GVnana]

left over bilge say from Languedoc re-labeled "Sonoma Style," or maybe "Columbia Valley Blend" or other such gimmick

Which could dovetail into the debate about the EU allowing Primitivo to be labelled as Zinfandel.

[finnigan2]

“Much as I love Napa Cabs (Stags is still my fave), they have become WAY overpriced.”

- I agree. They are way out of my price range. When it comes to reds, I now prefer Australian Shiraz and some types of Chilean. At least they’re under $15. and I’m not enough of an expert to spot the difference with a $20. and up Napa Valley red.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I enjoy the Napa/Sonoma wines, but like you, continue to look for a better valued wine. I have immensely enjoyed the wineries of central CA and Temecula. Even though they are younger there are some truly divine vines there. My personal favorite is Stuart Cellars for reds and Keyways for whites. For a little higher priced red, Palumbo in Temecula. All three are worth twice their weight in gold.

[LantzALot]

Actually, my favorite appelation is the Sierra Foothills

Ah, yes. Some years back, we came across the first tasting room in Nevada City, where I discovered some great Syrah, and became introduced to Sangiovese. If I remember right, the label was Indian Springs.
Hard to find in the L.A. area, though.

[LantzALot]

(From your link;) Once an AVA is established, at least 85% of the grapes used to make a wine must be grown in the specified area.

A son-in-law works for one of the big-name wineries in Napa Valley. I believe he told me that they require 90% of the grapes to be from Napa to qualify for the appellation.

[quantim]

It depends on how specific the designation so it could be a little confusing.

Some vintners may designate a higher internal percentage than what is required.

American Viticultural Area/Appellation of Origin Matrix

[GVnana]

Indian Springs is just down the road from me. If you like their Syrah, try Montevina from Amador. It’s probably more widely available.