Category Archives: Guest Blogger

Today we have a guest post from Darla Hoffmann, CS, CSW. Darla tells us about her recent trip to the Walla Walla Wine Country with a special focus on the vineyard soils.

While visiting Walla Walla, it’s hard not to glorify the impact of the Missoula Floods. The massive amounts of water that plowed through this part of the earth 12,000 to 18,000 years ago created the rugged mountain formations and current landscapes. It left behind an array of soils from loess, silt, sand, and volcanic in some parts to marine sedimentary and granite in others. This catastrophic event brought such fortune to the present-day terrain and is largely responsible for the beauty and agriculture that now exists.

Walla Walla is approximately a four-hour drive from Boise, Idaho. The drive curves along parts of the Snake River and leads to a dramatic sighting of wheat farms that blanket both sides of the road. An important piece of the economy, I appreciated the views of unharvested wheat for miles. However, we ultimately saw the combine harvesters hard at work and, imagined the auspicious state of affairs for bread, baked goods, and beer.

Photo credit: Darla Hoffman

The Walla Walla region has become one of the Northwest’s most important wine-producing regions. The Walla Walla Valley is a sub-AVA within the Columbia Valley. Two-thirds of the AVA is in Washington and one-third is in Oregon.  The Milton-Freewater Rocks District is a sub-ava within the Walla Walla Valley that resides completely in Oregon. As of 2018, about 56.7% of the vines were grown in Washington and 43.3% in Oregon, with 25.8% of Oregon plantings in The Rocks District. Even though a large amount of fruit comes from the Oregon side, most of the wineries are in Washington with only a handful in Oregon.

The sunny region enjoys cool evening temperatures, with minimal rainfall due to its location east of the Cascade Mountains. These diurnal shifts are responsible for the high acid and alcohol levels developed in the grapes. The climate crisis has been challenging for the region as every year is hotter than the last. Walla Walla’s hot summers and cold winters deem thicker-skinned, hearty grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah preferred plantings. Bordeaux varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec also thrive in these parts. Although it’s mostly red wine country, Chardonnay and Riesling are some of the whites that have made a name for themselves.

As the wine belt indicates, the appropriate latitude for grape growing is anywhere between 30° and 50°. Walla Walla sits at 46°; if you draw a line across the globe, you’d notice 46° is midway between Burgundy and Bordeaux in France. Although Bordeaux has long warm sunny days, it is unlike Walla Walla in that it is influenced by a maritime climate. Nonetheless, what makes these regions similar is that they both owe their soils to the freezing and melting of glaciers of years ago. The deposit of these rocks and gravel provides excellent drainage and helps absorb and radiate heat both at the grapes and into the soils beneath.

Moreover, the Rhone Valley of France, sitting at about 44° latitude on the map just south of Burgundy, has an abundance of rocky soils – like what you will find in the Walla Walla Valley. Syrah, native to the Rhone Valley, adapts well to these rocky soils. The Milton-Freewater Rocks District AVA in Oregon’s Walla Walla Valley is named and known by these infamous rocks. Furthermore, some distinct aromas and flavors come from The Rocks District. Although the climate is mostly consistent all over Walla Walla, wine from this region delivers funkier, smoky, almost gamey notes. These characteristics are commonly found in Syrah from the Rhone Valley as well. Some say this is a by-product of the precious, rocky soils.

Photo Credit: Darla Hoffman

There are approximately 120 wineries in the Walla Walla region, considered the unofficial capital of Washington Wine Country. Although not as widely sourced for retail nationwide as wine from California, or even the Willamette Valley, Oregon, they are gaining more visibility each year. The Walla Walla Valley is the three-time defending champion (2020-2022) and five-time finalist (2018-2022) in USA Today’s annual 10 best reader’s choice awards for America’s Best Wine Region. A few of my winery recommendations include Va Piano, Canvasback, Caprio Cellars, and Balboa Winery in Washington—along with Ducleaux Cellars, Rôtie Cellars, and Watermill Winery in Oregon.

About the author: Darla Hoffmann is a wine and travel journalist, Certified Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine, and owner of About Wine, a wine education and marketing company. Darla is a freelance writer and has her own blog on wine and travel throughout the world. She was the lead writer for AZ UNCORKED/the Arizona Wine Festival and The Arizona Wine Guide. Darla is a current member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), The Society of Wine Educators, and The Wine Century Club. She conducts wine classes and tastings at various venues all over the country and provides sales and marketing support to the wine industry in the form of tasting videos, articles & blogs, events, and staff education, account development, and client relationships. You can contact Darla via her website.

Photo credit: Jan Crocker

Today we have a guest post from SWE member Jan Crocker, CSW. Jan earned her Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) certification in 2016 and is currently studying for the Certified Specialist of Spirts (CSS).  Wish her luck!

Now entering its early adolescence as the United States’ 162^nd American Viticultural Area (AVA), the Ramona Valley AVA continues to evolve. Not unlike a resilient young teen, though, the region has stared down a few challenges over the last couple of years, and made further progress in its growth.

In my first piece three years ago about the Ramona Valley, I’d mentioned that my husband and I had visited the region four times. Fast forward to fall 2019: We’ve now spent eight outings there, discovering new wineries, returning to those that are “old friends,” and taking in the wild beauty of its distinctive natural landscape.

Before Ramona Redux, however, here’s Ramona Recap: a primer of the region for anyone unfamiliar with it.

The third AVA in the South Coast “super AVA,” the Ramona Valley is in north-central San Diego County, attaining its designation in January 2006. At 33.1 north, it’s 25 miles west of the Pacific Ocean and roughly 35 miles northeast of San Diego. Its altitude – an average of 1,400 feet above sea level – provides for solid diurnal swings; wine grapes benefit from its chilly nighttime lows and toasty mid-day highs. Neighbor community Julian, home to several apple orchards, crisp autumns, and chilly winters with occasional snow, is 22 miles east of Ramona, and is 4,200 feet above sea level.

Photo credit: Jan Crocker

Granite, decomposed and rocks alike, is a trademark of Ramona terroir. Its tiny particles provide a subtle sparkle in the soil, and its boulders make their presence known on the likes of nearby 2,800-foot Mount Woodson and on the region’s numerous hills. The proprietors of Vineyard Grant James made that granite part of their winery’s identity, opting to showcase it for their entrance.

The AVA sits among the region’s neighboring mountains and hills, with Mount Woodson, the Cuyamaca Mountains, and Mount Palomar providing a rain shadow from ocean fog and chill. It’s home to a 14 ½-mile stretch of terrain with 89,000 arable acres over 139 square miles – and, according to the proprietors of Barrel 1 Winery and Poppaea Vineyard, “at least 11 different microclimates.”

On average, annual Ramona rainfall reaches a modest 16 inches. Winter evenings often drop into the low 30s, while the mercury often touches the low-to-mid nineties on summer days. (We’ll return to a historically high temperature that’ll likely remain for years in winegrowers’ and winemakers’ memories.)

Photo credit: David Crocker

Southern California’s “soft chaparral,” with ample quantities of sage and rosemary, is the story of Ramona’s flora – on display at the entrance to Woof ‘n Rose Winery. Indeed, those herbs find their way into nearly all of the 41 wines we’d sampled during our most recent stay. It’s little wonder that the components of Ramona’s semi-arid, rather warm Mediterranean climate make it an ideal home for robust, sun-loving grapes from the Rhone Valley and the southern half of Italy – as well as other, equally hardy varietals that prosper from good amounts of sunshine, heat, and breeze.

As for the toasty: The Ramona Valley sizzled in the early summer of 2017, with a 102-degree high the second week of July. (Anza-Borrego State Park, nearly 45 miles east of Ramona, reached 124 degrees that day.) About three weeks earlier, Ramona endured days of devastating heat, with one afternoon at 98. These days highlighted one of the toughest climactic challenges that local winegrowers had faced in years, as one winery lost its entire ’17 harvest. Another, according to Ramona Ranch Vineyards‘ co-owner Teri Kerns, “lost half of its grapes that year.”

Despite its recent challenges, the Ramona Valley AVA has made solid, significant growth since 2016. The region is now home to at least 60 bonded wineries, 22 with tasting rooms. Three new wineries have debuted since 2015: Barrel 1 Winery, Crystal Hill Vineyard, and Correcaminos Vineyard.

Photo credit: David Crocker

Two more concerns, albeit considerably lesser ones, surfaced in the Ramona Valley in fall 2019. On Oct. 28, the Sawday Fire torched 95 acres of terrain between Ramona and Julian; to the relief of the area’s residents and wineries, the flames stayed far from structures and vines alike. No matter: The area’as winery owners and staffers were on stand-by mode that day, ready to vacate their premises if necessary.

A day later, Ramona Ranch Vineyards’ co-owner/winemaker Micole Moore expressed his concern in his Oct. 29 post on Facebook. “Earthquake!” he posted regarding the shallow 3.6-magnitude that rattled Ramona that morning, its epicenter 27 miles northeast at Lake Henshaw.

Obviously, wildfires and quakes are part of southern California life. Still, to have two of Mother Nature’s trademark events of the state occur in as many days left Ramona, for a lack of a better phrase, a bit shaky.

Barrel 1, in the middle of Ramona’s Goose Valley, benefits from some of the region’s most moderated temperatures. “We’re in a valley, in a valley,” mentioned one of the winery’s directors. “That’s why it’s about 10 degrees cooler here than anywhere else.” To that point, Barrel 1 features three white wines in its regular tasting lineup: an opulent, intensely perfumed, luscious Muscat that undergoes complete fermentation, a Viognier aged in stainless steel, and another Viognier that’s matured in neutral oak – a deep-gold beauty that offers rich layers of tropical fruits, peach, tangerine, and honey.

Photo credit: David Crocker

The ascent of sun-friendly white varietals in the region, Ramona Ranch Vineyards’ Kerns pointed out, is the happy by-product of the recent success of the area’s wineries. She mentioned that the main obstacle for making white wines was the price tag of cold-fermentation machines, a formidable $100,000. With enough money saved over the years, winery owners were at last able to produce white grapes that took easily to the region’s terroir. Her “Burlesque” blend is ample proof of Ramona’s promise with whites, a vibrant, fragrant blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, and Symphony, a crossing of vinifera varieties Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache gris. The winery’s single-varietal Sauvignon Blanc struts its elegant acidity with help from the sturdy granite; it’s a beauty that’d likely impress fans of Bordeaux blanc – and it’s a personal favorite of mine.

In the Grasslands region, proprietor/winemaker Mike Kopp of Kohill Winery follows suit with his estate Sauvignon Blanc. Lemongrass, lime, white pepper, and a hint of sea salt offer a bright counterpoint to the subtly rich Semillon, 25 percent of his nuanced white Bordeaux.

Other Ramona Valley AVA wineries have found surprising success with varietals that’d initially seem to be ill suited for the hot summers and sturdy winds characteristic of the area. Veteran winemaker/proprietor Eric Metz of Lenora Winery, home of focused, bright reds and whites, crafts a fresh, flinty, and citrusy Chardonnay that’d delight fans of Burgundian whites, especially Chablis. Likewise, Vineyard Grant James’ Susanne Sapier’s Chardonnay is similarly vibrant and zesty, with limited aging in neutral oak.

Jan Crocker, CSW – our guest blogger. Photo credit: David Crocker

Likewise, Albarino has found an excellent, albeit unlikely, home in Ramona. Renderings here lead the way with heady scents and flavors of peach, navel orange, tangerine, pineapple, mango, and passionfruit, with subtle acidity and minerality that bring the ripe flavors front and center. Marilyn Kahle, co-owner and winemaker at Woof ‘n Rose Winery, makes sure her compelling, complex Grasslands Albarino is varietally on point, although the valley’s warm climate and abundant sunshine provide for a different style that’s decidedly different from those from Rias Biaxas’ cool maritime climes. (On the red side of the story, she makes a gorgeous, opulent Alicante Bouschet that provides deep, succulent red and black fruits, baking spices, and a finish that’s long and astounding.)

As with our first extended trip to Ramona in August 2016, Lady Nature was surprisingly kind to us, with afternoons barely reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Many late Septembers in the area deliver afternoons in the mid-90s, so wine fans opt for cool shade under the covered patios which nearly all wineries provide. Woof ‘n Rose, Ramona Ranch Vineyards, and Vineyard Grant James offered us that comfort, as well as stunning views of the region’s terroir.

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Today we have a guest post from Elizabeth Yabrudy, CSS, CSW, CWE. Elizabeth takes us on a deep dive into the wines of the Valencia DO!

When we think about Spanish wines, usually Rioja, Ribera del Duero and/or Cava are the denominations that come into our minds, but never Valencia, right?

Valencia, the city, is Spain’s third largest, after Madrid and Barcelona. The autonomous community—under the same name—has three protected denominations of origin: DO Valencia, DO Utiel-Requena and DO Alicante. The DO Valencia was created in 1932, although its wine production date backs to the Phoenicians.

According to the Spanish Wine Market Observatory (OeMV, by its initials in Spanish), Valencia as an autonomous community ranks fourth in Spanish wine production by volume, after Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and Cataluna, with 5.8% (2.4 Mhl) of the total.

Saint Mary’s Square, Valencia

The DO Valencia: The DO Valencia is located in Spain’s east coast (on the Mediterranean Sea), with the DO Carinena to its north; the DO Alicante to the south; and the DO Utiel-Requena (as well as part of the DO Manchuela, DO Almanza, and DO Yecla) to the west. It covers 18,060 hectares (44,600 acres), and includes four sub-zones:

• Alto Turia
• Valentino
• Moscatel de Valencia
• Clariano

The region covered by the DO Valencia also includes some land that lies within the province of Albacete, as well as in some areas (less than 30% of either of each DO) in the communities of Utiel-Requena and Alicante.

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The Alto Turia subzone, located in the northwest of the Province, produces dry white wine only. It is a mountainous zone, with extreme temperatures and a wide diurnal swing, where mostly white grapes are cultivated in an altitude between 700 and 1100 meters (2,300 and 3,610 feet) above sea level. Merseguera and Macabeo are the main varieties, but other whites are also allowed.

Valentino is situated almost in the center of the autonomous community of Valencia. The area under vine is lower in elevation than Alto Turia, just 200 to 650 meters (660 to 2,130 feet)above sea level. It is a sub-one where both, white and red grapes, can be found. Merseguera, Macabeo and Planta Fina are the most common of the whites, but Semillon and Chardonnay can also be found. Garnacha Tintorera, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most planted reds. The wines of Valentino are produced in many styles, as the soil and climate are very diverse, but in any case, alcohol strength tend to be higher than in other zones.

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Moscatel de Valencia is located south of Alto Turia and Valentino, and is more highly influenced by the Mediterranean breezes. Of course, the main grape here is Moscatel, mainly used to produce Vin de Liqueur (“Vino de Licor” or “Mistelas”). Vineyards are no more than 250 meters (820 feet) above the sea level.

Clariano, in the south of the DO Valencia, is an area with two different climates due to the presence of both valleys and mountains. White grapes are primarily cultivated in the area closest to the sea, while the interior—with warmer temperatures and higher elevations—is planted mainly to red grapes including Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo.

Grapes and Wine Styles: The focus of the DO Valencia is on indigenous grapes. Most producers strive to showcase the authenticity of the region, even when they also cultivate international red and white varieties. The wines—both white and red—tend towards freshness, with good acidity and a mineral (even salty) character. The fruitiness is the main characteristic in the nose and the palate. However, this region is well known for its famed dessert wines.

The authorized grape varieties are:

• Whites: Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Macabeo, Malvasía, Merseguera, Moscatel de Alejandría, Moscatel Grano Menudo, Planta Fina de Pedralba, Planta Nova, Pedro Ximénez, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Tortosí, Verdejo, Verdil and Viognier
• Reds: Bobal, Bonicaire, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Forcallat Tinta, Garnacha, Graciano, Malbec, Mandó, Marselán, Mencía, Merlot, Monastrell, Mazuelo, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Tempranillo and Tintorera.

Xàtiva Castle, Valencia

Click here for a pdf detailing the styles of wine produced in the region: The wines of the Valencia DO

Valencia has its own port on the Mediterranean Sea—the fifth busiest seaport in Europe, and the largest in Spain. Because of its location, this community has been strongly focused on markets outside Spain rather than at home, maintaining the impetus on high quality products.

More than 500 wineries are located in Valencia, and the region now has its own wine route—the Ruta del Vino DO Valencia—helping to increase enotourism in the area. If you can find a wine from Valencia, don’t hesitate to buy it. Valencia is also home to two high-quality Vinos de Pago: Vino de Pago El Terrerazo and Vino de Pago Los Balagueses. You are guaranteed a great Spanish wine experience!

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About the author: Elizabeth Yabrudy, CSS, CSW, CWE is a sommelier and journalist residing in Venezuela. To date, she the only Venezuelan—and the only South American—to have achieved the Certified Wine Educator designation from the Society of Wine Educators. In addition, Elizabeth is the winner of the 2018 Banfi Award, having received the highest combined total score of any candidate sitting the CWE in 2018. She stays busy teaching and writing about wine and spirits, as well as leading tastings and service training. In addition to her wine and spirits credentials, Elizabeth has a Master’s Degree in Electronic Publishing from City University in London. You can find her online at ElizabethYabrudy.wordpress.com.

References/for more information:

• http://www.dovalencia.info
• http://foodswinesfromspain.com
• https://www.oemv.es
• Pliego de Condiciones – DO Valencia
• Pliego de Condiciones – Vino de Pago El Terrerazo
• Pliego de Condiciones Vino de Pago Los Balagueses

The harbor of Desenzano del Garda (on the southwestern edge of Lake Garda)

Today we have a guest post authored by Susannah Gold, DipWSET, CSS, CSW. Susannah tells us about the “liquid gold” wines of the Lugana DOC!

Lugana is a name to know. A white wine from the Lake Garda region of Italy made with the Turbiana grape, Lugana is a wine that can be drunk both in the young, fresh style as well as with some age on it.

Lying on the border between the two provinces of Brescia and Verona, the Lugana denomination stretches along the plains of morainic origin to the south of Lake Garda, within the communes of Sirmione, Pozzolengo, Desenzano and Lonato (in Lombardy) and Peschiera del Garda in the Veneto. The denomination is in both Lombardy and the Veneto. One of the only inter-regional DOC wines, some 90% of the vineyard holdings are located in Lombardy.

The “Lugana” Controlled Denomination of Origin (DOC), was instituted in 1967 as the first to be awarded this status in Lombardy as well as one of the very first in Italy as a whole.

Clay soils

The Lugana denomination can essentially be divided up into two zones.  The first—and larger—area is that with firmer clay soils. It is fairly flat and stretches along the hinterland of the lake, including Desenzano, Sirmione, part of the commune of Pozzolengo, and Peschiera. This is the heart of the denomination which produces the most “lacustrine” and mineral style of Lugana.

In the Veneto part of Lugana, there is just one commune, Peschiera del Garda. However, this includes one of the most interesting subzones, that of San Benedetto di Lugana, one of the denomination’s real “crus”.

The second, hillier zone stretches from the famous Monumental Tower of San Martino della Battaglia in two different directions: towards Pozzolengo and towards Lonato. Here the clays are sandier; the hills are more undulating and gentle, with altitudes of no more than 130 meters; the soils are more morainic (especially towards Lonato), with a considerable presence of gravel; the wines are less mineral-drivenl, more acidulous and voluminous.

In Lugana, the microclimate—influenced positively by the temperate breezes from Lake Garda—is mild and fairly constant, with little difference between day- and night-time temperatures. This is a “climatic cradle” that is perfect for highlighting the peculiarities of a special grape like Turbiana

Luca Formentini of Podere Selva Capuzza

Never heard of Turbiana? Not a surprise. It only grows in this area. Related to Trebbiano di Soave—a variety that is quite close geographically speaking, but whose vineyards lie on a different type of soil, of volcanic rather than morainic origin—the Turbiana grape was considered for a long time to be related to (if not actually confused with) the Verdicchio grape variety from Castelli di Jesi in the Marche Region. However, recent studies have shown that it is different from that cultivar in its aromatic characteristics, as well as from a phenological, agronomical, and oenological point of view.

Less high-yielding than most of the other Trebbianos of Italy, Turbiana is a grape that has a medium-sized, compact bunch, with a long, pyramidal shape; the pulp is juicy and loose, slightly acidulous, and neutral in flavor. It is sensitive to rot, oidium and peronospora. When vinified on its own, it shows great versatility both in the classic still versions and in sparkling ones.

Even if the production regulations allow for the presence of up to 10% of complementary white varieties (as long as they are non-aromatic), nowadays the zone’s producers tend to make their Luganas exclusively from Turbiana. Five different styles are permitted: standard Lugana, Superiore, Riserva, Vendemmia Tardiva (Late Harvest) and Spumante (Sparkling).

Susannah Gold

The Lugana production is limited, only about 16 million bottles per year. Much of it is exported to Germany and the U.K but a fair portion arrives in the U.S. as well. See if your local retailer carries some, you will be richly rewarded with this versatile and easy to pronounce wine.

Susannah Gold is the founder of Vigneto Communications, a New York City-based marketing and communications agency focusing on the food & wine industry.

Susannah is one of only a handful of non-Italians in the Associazione Italiana Sommeliers (AIS) and has received her Diploma of Wine & Spirits (DWS) from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a prestigious British program. She has also completed the Certified Specialist in Wine (CSW) and Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) exams at the Society of Wine Educators, a school in the United States and has completed her certification as a Spanish Wine Educator at the Wine Academy of Spain. Susannah is also a highly-rated, frequent speaker at SWE Conferences and we look forward to having her present a webinar on the wines of Lugana for SWE sometime very soon!