VinoWeek - Episode 67 Unwelcomed Politics in Wine Country

A late frost in Europe is wreaking havoc on prized vineyards in France and Italy. Several consecutive nights of frost are causing lots of worry for farmers. In the coming weeks farmers will be accessing the damage, but early estimates pin losses in some areas at 50 to 90 percent of normal.

Bill and I talk about wine aerators and decanters in reference to Alder Yarrow’s recent rant on Wine Aerators: $336.9 Million Worth of Bullsh*t.

Societé Jacques Bollinger (SJB) has just purchase Ponzi Vineyard in Willamette Valley, Oregon. There are no plans to increase production beyond the current 30,000 cases annually. Additionally the focus will remain with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with no plans to add a sparkling wine.

Dominic Foppoli Mayor of the town of Windsor, in the heart of the Russian River Valley and co-owner of Christopher Creek Winery in Healdsburg is facing calls for his resignation following recent allegations of sexual misconduct. The story broke by Alexandria Bordas of the San Francisco Chronicle has caused quite a brouhaha here in Wine Country. The California Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation into the allegations. Foppoli has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing all the while claiming he too was a victim of sexual harassment. The latest twist has Foppoli and fellow council member Esther Lemus accusing each other of sexual misdeeds.

Bill and I discuss these items and more in this week's addition of VinoWeek. Thanks to everyone for listening. Cheers!

Our wine recommendation this week is the 2019 Weingut Pfeffingen Dry Scheurebe. This wine hails from Bad Dürkheim a small village in southwest Germany in the Pfalz region. The Pfalz is bordered on the south and west by France.

Pfeffingen in operated by Jan Eymael, his wife Karin, and his mother Doris. The family coat of arms the mythical unicorn is prominently displayed on the front label. The Eymael’s grow 37 acres of Riesling, Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), and their house specialty Scheurebe (show-ray-beh). Scheurebe is named after grape breeder Georg Scheu. It’s a cross between Riesling and Bukettrebe. If you would like to learn more about Scheurebe and it’s resurgence in popularity read this article DRINK MORE SCHEU! by Christoph Raffelt of Trink Mag.

Light to medium gold in color the nose is fruit forward, very floral and the wine’s aromas jump out of the glass as you pour it. On the palate it’s mineral, zippy, lemon lime lip smacking deliciousness. The floral stone fruit, apricot, pear and peaches beckons you to inhale before each sip. Rich, round and vibrant it is indeed dry at 13% alcohol. This wine would be great with Asian food, curries and spicy Thai cuisine