A Memorable Wine for Memorial Day

It’s coming up on Memorial Day weekend. It is America’s unofficial start to the summer: depending on where you live, you’re ready to dust off the grill and get the outdoor season started. What better way to celebrate than with American wines. Thomas Jefferson would be proud of the progress we’ve made with our viticulture – not only with European grape varietals (vitis vinifera) but with native varietals (vitis labrusca and vitis rotundifolia). This is the perfect weekend to become a wine patriot.

If you’re one of those who knows all there is to know about Napa and Sonoma, then this is the time to expand those horizons and get into a different state of mind altogether with Oregon, Washington, New York, and others. At the very least, move down the coast a bit to the Central Valley and experience new grape varietals and wine making techniques.

Let’s start with this lovely red that I happen to be enjoying as I am writing this – Viña Robles Red4 2005 from the Huerhuero Vineyard in Paso Robles. When first brought to my attention, it was poured as part of a blind tasting. It was a proud day for my nose and palate as they as they immediately picked out the Syrah and the Petite Sirah; although these two grapes make up 66% and 25%, respectively, so it wasn’t that difficult to discern them but the next two grapes were a bit trickier. The Viña Robles Red4 also has Touriga Nacional (7%) and Tannat (2%) blended in – this is where the Sommelier pride takes over. Yes, I was able to pick them out. But why add these two grapes in such low quantities to a wine that no doubt already has big flavor from the two main grapes? Let’s start with the Tannat; although it is a mere 2% of the wine, the grape varietal offers lots of depth and tannin, hence the name. For a wine made from Syrah and Petite Sirah, this addition makes the difference between the typical fruit-bomb where all the flavor is up front and nothing is offered in mid-palate to a well-rounded wine with substance on the mid-palate and a memorable finish. Tannat originates in southwestern France but is fast becoming THE grape varietal of Uruguay where, in its 100% form, it pairs perfectly with the local beef.

Touriga Nacional is one of the grapes used to make Port wine. No, the grape is not sweet; Port goes through a process that makes it sweet. The Touriga grape lends the Red4 floral aromas, specifically violets, a racy acidity that gives the wine structure and a silkier finish. Originating on the Iberian Peninsula, Touriga is becoming an international grape due to its deep color and violet aromas. You will also find notes of vanilla in the wine, a result of the 14 months spent in French and American oak.

Viña Robles is located in Paso Robles in California’s Central Valley and limits the production of their wine to ensure quality and value; there were fewer than 2,200 cases of the Red4 2005 produced. It is a family-owned winery working with a wide range of grape varietals from the well-know like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon to the getting known like Viognier and Petit Verdot to the unknown like Touriga and Tannat.

Grab a bottle of the Red4 this Memorial Day weekend and pair with whatever you are grilling. From burgers and BBQ ribs to grilled veggies, this wine will enhance those charcoal or wood flavors that grilling brings to food. Also good with pizza, pasta with rich red sauces or just enjoy a glass like I did. You should find the Viña Robles in your locally owned, independent wine store for about $14.50. If you have a hard time locating a bottle of this interesting and tasty wine, give us a call at Uncorked (727.892.9463).