Welcome to the world, Contra Costa AVA!

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer (click to enlarge)

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer (click to enlarge)

On March 15 (2024), the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) of the United States announced the approval of the Contra Costa American Viticultural Area (AVA). The new AVA covers a portion of California’s Contra Costa County, located in the East Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Area. Along with the approval of the new AVA, the San Francisco Bay AVA and the Central Coast AVA have been expanded so that they encompass the entirety of the new appellation. In other words, the Contra Costa AVA is a sub-appellation of both the San Francisco Bay AVA and the Central Coast AVA.

According to the original petition—submitted by Patrick Shabramon behalf of the Contra Costa Winegrowers Association in March of 2023—the distinguishing features of the Contra Costa AVA include its topography and climate—as described below.

Topography: The terrain of the Contra Costa AVA is—while interrupted in a few places by rolling hills—relatively flat. All of the area within the boundaries of the new AVA are below 1,000 feet, with most area below 100 feet. Hillside slopes—where they exist—are generally less than 5% gradient. As such, the area experiences a great deal of marine influence from the northeastern portion of the San Francisco Bay—including San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay.

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer (click to enlarge)

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer (click to enlarge)

Climate: The Contra Costa AVA experiences an average of 3,000 to 4,275 GDD (growing degree days) over the course of a growing season, marking the area as a relatively warm (and sometimes very warm) region. However, the area’s proximity to the marine influence from the northeastern portion of the San Francisco Bay—including San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay—mean that temperatures cool down quite a bit at night. This diurnal temperature fluctuation provides the area with a near-ideal grape-growing climate scenario of “warm days—cool nights.“

The Central Coast AVA covers a total of 167,146 acres; of these, approximately 1,700 acres are currently planted with commercial vineyards. Leading grape varieties include Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay.

The area around Contra Costa County has been growing grapes and producing wine since 1846. By 1916, there were over 6,000 acres of vines in the area. Alas, most of these vines did not survive Prohibition. These days, Contra Costa County is home to at least 60 commercial vineyards and 14 wineries, including Viano Vineyards, Serendipity Cellars, and Hannah Nicole Vineyards & Winery.

Cline Cellars (now located in Sonoma) was established in this area (in the town of Oakley) in 1982. Cline Cellars still sources grapes from Contra Costa, and I am an enthusiastic fan of their Contra Costa County Old Vine Zinfandel.

When the Contra Costa AVA is brought into force—on April 15, 2024—the total number of AVAs in the United States will be 270; of these, 150 will be in California.

Welcome to the world, Contra Costa AVA!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

 

 

Welcome to the World, Campo de Calatrava DO!

Photo via: www.vinocampodecalatrava.com

Photo via: www.vinocampodecalatrava.com

The EU has spoken, and—as of February 2024—it has granted its approval for a new appellation for Spanish wine: the Campo de Calatrava DO (Denominación de Origen).

Wine has been produced in the Campo de Calatrava area—located in the Ciudad Real province within the autonomía of the Castilla-La Mancha—since the Bronze Age ( ). In modern times, the wines of the area have been bottled under the classification Vino de la Tierra-La Mancha (which covers the entire autonomía). At last count, there are eight commercial wineries in the region.

The Campo de Calatrava DO is located atop a unique geological feature known as the Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Field (La Región Volcánica del Campo de Calatrava). The region contains over 300 individual volcanic landforms, including lava domes, pyroclastic cones, and low-relief volcanic craters known as maars. While the area is believed to be dormant—the last known volcanic eruption dates to 3.600 BCE—the area contains the most significantly volcanic soils in the Iberian Peninsula. Topsoil is dark and stony, aiding in heat retention and drainage.

The Campo de Calatrava DO allows for a long list of wines styles to be produced. These include dry white, red, and rosé wines, quality sparkling wine, and sweet (late harvest) wines.

The list of allowed grape varieties is long and varied—and quite similar to those found in the nearby DOs of La Mancha and Valdepeñas.

  • Approved red grapes include Bobal, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha (Tinto), Graciano, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Tempranillo.
  • Approved white grapes include Airén, Albariño, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Macabeo (Viura), Moscatel de Alejandría, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, and Viognier,

We will post a map as soon as the newly crafted DO creates one.

Welcome to the world, Campo de Calatrava DO!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Dispatch from the Léon DO

Leon DO graphicSpain’s Tierra de Léon DO (Denominación de Origen) made some news back in 2019 when it officially changed its name to Léon DO. Since then, it has continued to make news by competing in—and winning—major wine competitions and by attracting the largest crowd ever (over 25,000) to attend the annual DO León Wine Fair.

These days (February 2024) the DO is again making news by gaining approval from the EU for a range of updates and revisions to its wine rules and regulations. In short, the appellation has approved a new grape variety for use in its red wines and has added an additional wine type—sweet wines—to its roster.

The latest red grape of the Léon DO: The Negro Saurí grape variety (also known as Merenzao) has been added to the list of grape varieties authorized for use in the red and rosé (rosado) wines of the Léon DO. This grape is added to the list of previously approved grape varieties, including Prieto Picudo and Mencía (as recommended varieties) and Garnacha and Tempranillo (as authorized varieties).

Map of the DO Leon via www.doleon.es

Map of the DO Leon via www.doleon.es

Negro Saurí is an obscure local variety grown mainly in Léon. It requires a good deal of sunshine to thrive, is relatively thin-skinned, and light in color. The grape has been added to the roster in the hopes of preserving the heritage of the region’s indigenous vineyards, to increase the area’s biodiversity, and due to the spicy, complex character it brings to the wines.

The sweet wines of the Léon DO: With these recent changes, the Léon DO is approved to produce off dry (semidulce) and sweet (dulce) wines in red (tinto), white (blanco), and rosé (rosado) styles. Wines labeled as semidulce will contain between 1.8% and 4.5% residual sugar (RS); those labeled as dulce will contain at least 4.5% RS.

The newly approved sweet wines of the Léon DO will be based on the same grape varieties used in the dry wines of the region. In addition to the approved red varieties (discussed above), the white grapes of the DO include Verdejo, Albarín Blanco, and Godello (as recommended  varieties) and Malvasía and Palomino (as authorized varieties; Palomino is not approved for new plantings).

Note: as with all such updates, it may take a while for these updates to work their way through the various governing bodies (and even longer for the final documentation to become available for public perusal). However, the EU is spoken, so it seems these changes will soon become apparent in the marketplace.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Welcome to the World, Terre d’Abruzzo IGT!

Teramo, Abruzzo

Teramo, Abruzzo

As announced in the January 3 (2024) edition of the EU Journal, Italy has a new Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) classification for wine: the Terre d’Abruzzo IGT (aka Terre Abruzzesi). The new appellation is approved for a range of wine styles produced from grapes grown anywhere within the administrative region of Abruzzo.

BUT WAIT! Before all the wine students of the world (including me) let out a collective sigh and bemoan the growing number of appellations to study, note this: The Terre d’Abruzzo IGT is intended to replace the 8 IGTs currently scattered across Abruzzo. (We’ll have to wait to see the paperwork on this development, but it sounds promising.)

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Wine styles allowed under the Terre d’Abruzzo IGT include red (rosso), white (bianco), and rosé (rosato) in still (non-sparkling), frizzante (slightly sparkling), and passito (dried grape; red or white only) editions.

The list of grape varieties is long and varied. It includes several obscure, local varieties such as Mostosa, Passerina, and Pecorino; in addition to quite a few better-known Italian grapes such as Garganega, Moscato, Sangiovese, and Primitivo. International varieties—including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio—are on the list as well. (For a complete catalog of approved varieties, see the disciplinare, attached below.)

Blends (typically bottled under the appellation name) are allowed as well as certain varietals (which—per EU standards—must contain a minimum of 85% of the named variety). Red wines may be produced in the novello (young, lively, and fruit-forward) style.

Welcome to the World, Terre d’Abruzzo IGT!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

 

New EU Wine Labeling Laws in Effect!

European Union flag in front of the Berlaymont building, headquaFor several years, the Agricultural and Rural Development Council of the European Union (EU) has been working on a new set of labeling laws for wine and aromatized wine products. These laws—which are in effect as of December 8, 2023, and will apply to all wine released in the EU as of the 2024 vintage—are meant to provide consumers with additional information on a wine’s nutritional value and the ingredients used in the production of the wine.

  • For context, EU wines have always required the following information to be declared on wine labels, and will continue to do so:
    • The designation of the category of grapevine product (type or style of wine product)
    • The region of origin, which may be an appellation or simply indication of provenance
    • ABV (alcoholic strength percentage by volume)
    • The name of the bottler, producer, or vendor
    • Net contents
    • For sparkling wines, sugar level/content
  • Under the new laws, the following information must also be clearly stated on the wine label:
    • List of any ingredients that may cause allergies or intolerances; these include sulfites, eggs and egg-based products, milk and milk-based products
  • Under the new laws, the following information must be declared; however, it may be stated on the wine label OR available via electronic means such as a QR code:
    • Nutritional values including average values of energy (calories) as well as the amounts of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugar, protein, and salt.
    • List of ingredients, presented in descending order of weight, as recorded at the time of their use in the manufacture of the product. (Ingredients that make up less than 2% of the finished product may be listed in any order.) Additives must be listed according to the functional category, such as acidity regulators, preservatives/antioxidants, enrichments (such as concentrated grape must), or stabilizing agents. Yeast and alternative gases (as may be used in bottling) are considered processing aids and do not need to be listed as an ingredient.
    • Use-by date for de-alcoholized products

These rules—which in their current incarnation far exceed the labeling declarations required of wines produced or distributed in the United States—will apply to all wine (including American wine) distributed in the European Union.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

 

Welcome to the World, Emilia Romagna DOC (aka the Pignoletto Chronicles)

PignolettoWelcome to the World, Emilia-Romagna DOC!

Also known as: The Pignoletto Chronicles or Pignoletto: It’s a Grape (not a Place)! 

First things first: we are here to announce a significant event…the EU has approved and registered a new Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) appellation for Italian Wines: The Emilia-Romagna DOC. This new appellation is approved for white wines based on the Pignoletto grape variety. A range of white wine styles are allowed—including dry-and-still (non-sparkling) wine, sparkling wine, frizzante (slightly sparkling/fizzy) wine, and passito (dried-grape, sweet) wine. These wines will be labeled with some variation of the term Emilia Romagna Pignoletto DOC.

Be advised, however, that the story behind this new appellation is long, complicated, and fascinating. TL/DR: It’s complicated, but the Pignoletto DOC was never approved by the EU, and has changed its name to Emilia-Romagna DOC (which has been approved by the EU). 

Here goes…after several years of deliberation, the EU has spoken, and they have decided that Pignoletto is a grape, but not a place (and it cannot be an appellation). In accordance, the use of the term Pignoletto cannot be limited to any certain location, and the EU has denied Italy’s request to create the Pignoletto DOC. In addition, the disciplinare for the Pignoletto DOC has been removed from the website of Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture.

31776357 - white wine in a glass on a backgroundThe rest of the story: Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture made an application (to the EU) back in 2014 for a new appellation to be known as the Pignoletto DOC. This occurred when it was discovered that the variety known in Emilia-Romagna as Pignoletto is identical to Grechetto di Todi, and nearly identical to Grechetto di Orvieto—a grape widely grown in Umbria and Marches (and elsewhere). In an attempt to limit the use of traditional name (Pignoletto) to the central area of Emilia-Romagna, a new appellation was proposed: Pignoletto DOC.

At the same time, a modification to the Colli Bolognesi DOC was published. The idea was that all of the Pignoletto-based wines—including dry, still, sparkling, and sweet styles—previously produced in the Colli Bolognesi DOC (and surrounding areas) would be labeled under the Pignoletto DOC. This would, in theory, define Pignoletto as a region, and as such, other areas would be prohibited from using the term Pignoletto to refer to Grechetto grapes.

The proposed modifications to the Colli Bolognesi DOC were accepted and registered by the EU in 2014. As a result, the Colli Bolognesi DOC is now approved for the production of red, white, and sparkling wines from a range of approved grapes; these include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano, Pinot Blanc (Pinot Bianco), Barbera, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon—but NOT Pignoletto.

However, as we now know, the EU chose NOT to approve the registration of the Pignoletto DOC. This left Italy with a conundrum: should they re-consolidate the separated DOCs? That sounds complicated and fails to solve the unique Problema Pignoletto.  Accordingly, a relatively simple solution was suggested: change the name. What could have/would have been the Pignoletto DOC will move forward as the Emilia-Romagna DOC.

Note: Another Pignoletto-based appellation—the Colli Bolognese Pignoletto DOCG—was created in 2004. The Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG is an ultra-small production appellation approved for Pignoletto-based white wines only (dry or off-dry [non-sparkling] wines only). The Colli Bolgonese Pignoletto DOCG has stricter standards—as per yield, planting density, and aging) as compared to the Pignoletto-based wines of the larger Emilia-Romagna DOC.

It was a long and winding road, but…Welcome to the World, Emilia Romagna DOC!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

The Orange Wine of the Tarragona DO

Photo via the Tarragona CR

Photo via the Tarragona CR

The Tarragona DO—registered in 1947—is a diverse, discontiguous wine region located in Catalonia. The eastern section of the appellation stretches along Spain’s Mediterranean Coast, while a smaller outpost is located further inland. The area includes the coastal plain just south of Penedès, the foothills of the Serra de Montalt, and a portion of the Ebro River Valley.

As befits such a diverse area, the list of grape varieties allowed for use in the DO is long and involved. Leading red grapes include Garnacha Negre, Carignan (here known as Samsó or Carinyena), Tempranillo (Ull de Llebre), Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. White grapes include Garnacha Blanca, Chardonnay, Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Moscatel (Muscat), Parellada, and Sauvignon Blanc.

The catalog of wine styles allowed for production under the auspices of the DO is even more impressive and contains no less than ten styles of wine. Included are various styles of white, red, and rosé wine in addition to oxidized wines (vino rancio), sparkling wines, fortified wines, mistela, and late-harvest wine.

Tarragona DOAs of November 2023, as published in the Journal of the European Union, the Tarragona DO is approved for one more style of wine: Orange Wine (referred to as Vino Brisado in Spanish or Vin Orange in French).

The Orange Wine of Tarragona is a skin-contact white wine macerated on the skins, seeds, and (perhaps) stems of the grapes in addition to the juice. It may be produced using the same grape varieties as allowed in the appellation’s white wines—Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Moscatel, Parellada, Sauvignon Blanc, or Malvasia (Subirat Parent)—as well as Xarel-lo Rosado (a pink-berried mutation of Xarel-lo). It is described as being clear and bright, and ranging in color from intense yellow to amber/orange. Primary, herbaceous, and vegetal aromas are typical, as is a good balance of acidity. Some bitter and/or tannic notes may be noted as well.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Dispatch from the Côtes du Roussillon AOC

Vineyard in Cevennes FranceThe Côtes du Roussillon AOC covers certain dry wines—red, white, and rosé—produced in the Roussillon region located in the south of France. The appellation—located on the eastern side of the Pyrénées-Orientales department—enjoys a warm, Mediterranean climate and is described as a vast, east-facing amphitheater surrounded on three sides by mountains and on one side by the sea. Wine has been produced in the area since (at least) 600 BCE.

The Côtes du Roussillon AOC is a broad appellation approved for the production of dry, still (non-sparkling) red, white and rosé wines. The appellation’s cahier des charges (list of rules and regulations) has recently (as of November 2023) been given a detailed (complicated) update. While some of these changes may seem minor—such as moving accessory grapes to the list of principal grapes and small changes to allowed or required components of a blend—inquiring wine students will want to take note of the following:

  • Changes that apply to the white wines of the Côtes du Roussillon AOC:
    • A maximum upper limit of 10 % for accessory varieties has been introduced
    • Two varieties—Viognier and Carignan Blanc—have been approved as accessory varieties
  • Change that applies to the red wines of the Côtes du Roussillon AOC:
    • Accessory grapes may now comprise up to 30% of the total blend (previously, the maximum was 20%)
  • Changes that apply to the rosé wines of the Côtes du Roussillon AOC:
    • Grenache Gris is now a principal grape (it was previously an accessory grape)
    • Carignan and Mourvèdre are now accessory grapes (they were previously principal grapes)
    • Accessory grapes may now comprise up to 30% of the total blend (previously, the maximum was 20%)
    • The (combined) minimum percentage for the main grape varieties (Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah) has been reduced from 80% to 70%.

Village of Roussillon in the ProvenceConsidering the inclusion of these changes to the rules of the appellation, the wines of the are now defined as follows:

  • The white wines of the Côtes du Roussillon AOC:
    • Principal varieties: Grenache balance, Macabeu, Tourbat/Malvoisie du Roussillon
    • Accessory varieties: Grenache Gris, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino, Viognier, Carignan Blance
    • Must contain at least two grape varieties
    • No single grape may make up more than 80% of the total blend
    • Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, and Tourbat/Malvoisie du Roussillon—separately or combined—must comprise at least 50% of the blend
    • Accessory varieties may comprise a maximum (combined) of 10% of the blend
  • The red wines of the Côtes du Roussillon AOC:
    • Principal varieties: Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Syrah
    • Accessory varieties: Cinsault, Lledoner Pelut
    • Must contain at least two grape varieties
    • No single grape may make up more than 80% of the total blend
    • Accessory varieties may comprise a maximum (combined) of 30% of the blend
  • The rosé wines of the Côtes du Roussillon AOC:
    • Principal varieties: Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, Syrah
    • Accessory varieties: Carignan, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Lledoner Pelut, Macabeu
    • Must contain at least two grape varieties
    • No single grape may make up more than 80% of the total blend
    • Accessory varieties may comprise a maximum (combined) of 30% of the blend

We warned you it was complicated!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

France has a New AOC—Sable de Camargue!

Map of Sable de Camargue via the INAO

Map of Sable de Camargue via the INAO

As of October 10 (2023), France has one more wine approved at the protected designation of origin (PDO)—also referred to as (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée/AOC) level: The Sable de Camargue. This region has a long history of producing unique gris– (light rosé-) style wines and was previously approved as a Vin de Pay (Indication Géographique Protégée/IGP) region. (The IGP has been cancelled and replaced by the AOC.)

The name of the appellation refers to the sandy soils (sable) of the Camargue—a vast plain and the largest river delta in Europe tucked between the two arms of the Rhône River just before it reaches the Mediterranean Sea.

The Sable de Camargue AOC is approved for light rosé wines only; in the Cahier des Charges the wines are referred to as vin gris and vin gris de gris. Both styles are required to be made using minimal or no skin contact (a method often referred to as “direct press”).

The wines are described as “pale salmon in color” with fruity (white fruit, citrus fruit, exotic fruit, red fruit), floral, and mineral aromas. The gris de gris wines are lighter in color, more subtle, and quite delicate in aroma and flavor.

The allowed grape varieties are as follows:

  • Sable de Camargue Gris:
    • Minimum 55% (combined) Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache Blanc, Marselan, Muscat of Alexandria, Syrah, Ugni Blanc, and/or Rolle (Vermentino)
      • Note: in practice, Grenache Noir and/or Grenache Gris form the backbone of most wines
    • Other allowed grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc
  • Sable de Camargue Gris de Gris:
    • Only Grenache Gris is allowed

graphic-map-camargueThis area is highly unique due to its sandy soil, high winds, predominant humidity, and proximity to saltwater marshes. According to the Cahier des Charges, these factors combine to provide the grapes with a slow, even ripening; unique pink, bluish-grey color, and high levels of acidity. These factors, combined with the qualified production techniques create a style of wine known as vins des sables (wines from the sands).

Welcome to the world, Sable de Camargue AOC!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Guest Blogger—Move Over Beer: Wine Comes to Ballparks

Today we have a post written by guest blogger Matilda Parente, MD, CSW. Matilda is a good friend of SWE and has been one of most popular conference presenters in years past. Today, she tells us a story of wine and baseball…what’s not to love?

Photo credit: Matilda Parente

Photo credit: Matilda Parente

The end of the 2023 baseball season promises tight pennant races, riveting playoff series and—fans hope—a thrilling World Series. Wine lovers lucky enough to score game tickets have another reason to cheer, as wine worth a sip is popping up at ballparks across the country.

Wine has been moving in on beer—the traditional preferred ballpark beverage—since at least 1997. Wine service began that year for the San Francisco Giants’ home opener at Candlestick Park. Wine offerings went deep in 2013 when Zipz, a company that introduced a novel single-serve wine glass, partnered with Fetzer to bring a line of premium wine offerings to Major League Baseball crowds, hitting safely in San Francisco, Tampa Bay and Seattle.

In 2020, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi struck a partnership with MLB to become its official wine, expanding upon its baseball-approved status as the official wine of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The San Francisco Giants rallied around wine once again in 2022, when it became the first team in all professional sports to bring on a Master Sommelier—the Bay Area’s Evan Goldstein—with the aim to elevate an already robust ballpark wine program. Some of Goldstein’s pairing ideas have included a chilled Beaujolais Villages with a Louisiana Dog, an Argentine Malbec with nachos, and a lower-alcohol Merlot or Cabernet (Sauvignon or Franc) with tri-tip.

Photo credit: Matila Parente

Photo credit: Matilda Parente

At most ballparks now, food and beverage offerings have undergone a much-needed makeover. Fans no longer need to sacrifice game-day palates to rubbery hot dogs on bland bread washed down with a forgettable beer. Along with dozens of craft beer offerings, Petco Park in San Diego, named the 2023 best ballpark in the country by USA Today for the second year in a row, gives vinous-minded fans a line-up of 25 exceptional wines at its Belle Glos Wine Cellar and Belle Glos Wine Cave outposts. Wine pours can be found across the park’s exceptional food outlets, which include an outpost of Taiwan’s Din Tai Fung and San Diego’s own Puesto and Grand Ole BBQ y Asado, the latter two serving mouth-watering birria tacos and Argentine choripan, housemade chorizo and chimichurri on a warm bolillo roll.

The wine service at Petco Park is a far cry from that found at typical sporting venues; fans can choose from premium wines like the home-run offerings usually found at higher end restaurants. Bottles on the Reserve List can range from Cristal, red and white wines by Far Niente to Napa’s Hundred Acre. Best part about the $1,000 price tag? It’s a cashless venue. Fans can also order wine delivered to their seats, whether by 7-ounce pour or by the bottle, served in a souvenir Padres logo plastic carafe with stemless cups. Score early, as wine service at Petco ends with the first pitch of the 8th inning.

The stadium food and beverage revamp is coming in hot across the country. At Yankee Stadium, NYY Steak has become a destination steakhouse, complete with a smart, extensive wine list. Out west, the Seattle Mariners have partnered with Chateau Ste. Michelle for its many wine outlets at T-Mobile Park, which include wine on tap. Down south, the wine bar at the Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park even serves frosés. But if your taste runs Veuve Clicquot instead, head to the park’s 19th Hole, said to have the largest wine selection in MLB. You know, Texas.

So, get out to the yard before the season ends and indulge in savory and out-of-the-box ballpark eats, served up with a glass or carafe of well-chosen wines worth a sip. Some say they make the crack of the bat sound even sweeter.

Matilda Parente, MD, CSW is a wine educator based in San Diego.