In regards to white wine, I like them cold, I like them to be white, but most importantly I like my whites to be CRISP!
There was a time that I could enjoy a non-acid-searing white wine, but those days have long gone…
This disdain, avoidance, dislike, of whites, mostly of the Southern French variety, didn’t come to me in the middle of the night as a message from God but rather was a sort of pebble in the shoe for a while. What I blame most is my lengthy time spent in the Languedoc, surrounded by fat whites, no acidity and an overall blah taste in my mouth.
This is why I stir clear of most Rhone white varieties, why I will always drink dry Riesling, certain Grüners, some Chardonnays, and most if not all Colombards from SW France.
I like crisp!
Recently, when I was generously handed a bottle of Vionier from Sashi Moorman, I was of course skeptical, would this bottle from Lompoc be the saving grace?
I first met Sashi about eight years ago. I was a pretentious, know-it-all, sommelier, visiting from the UK; Sashi was a young ambitious winemaker, gaining respect in the Santa Ynez Valley. Much has changed since then…now, Sashi’s main job (he’s got like twelve) is head guy at Evening Land Vineyards. He also owns his own label Piedrasassi and the second label from that New Vineland.
Myself, I am no longer a sommelier.
2008 New Vineland Viognier matched great with Trader Joe's goodies.
I mentally committed to try the wine, so I thought why not put it through a small test of matching to culinary delights! I went to the local Commerçant Joe and purchased a variety of cheeses and cured things. I only mention this because there is a cheese there that you must try…it’s called Delice de Bourgogne Double Cream (I think it was $6-8)…well I could have had that cheese and this wine all night long!! Suffice to say the wine was very impressive and stood up to the pairings. The cheese has been locked away to save my waist line.
Don’t forget white and cheese is sometimes better than red.
As for the wine, here’s the note:
2008 New Vineland Viognier, Santa Barbara County, $22.00
On the nose was lots of citrus, especially tangerine and peach.
The palate I particularly enjoyed, there was quite a lot of quenching fruit, but also fresh almonds and best of all distinct minerality – like a freshly cut slab of wet granite…loved it!
As Viogniers go, I actually did enjoy this guy.
Piedrasassi’s tasting room is located within the Wine Ghetto in Lompoc. Sashi’s wife Melissa can usually be found there.
They are open from Noon-5pm Friday to Sunday
And you can call them for an appointment on other days
1501 E. Chestnut Ave.
Lompoc, CA
805-736-6784
Oh and a little tidbit for you… New Vineland was going to be the name of Lompoc but for some reason Lompoc (which is Chumash for stagnant waters or lagoon) was already chosen.
Spiltwine 