By Jade Palmer, Krog Wine Manager
Last week, Liz took us on an adventure to some incredible East Coast wine regions. This week, I’m bringing us back to California, but in a way you may not expect. It’s well-known for big Cabernets and rich, oaky Chardonnays, but there is so much more to the California wine scene than those two styles. This week’s wines are all about California winemakers who practice restraint and precision in their winemaking, producing incredibly expressive wines that are worth a place in your collection.
Dancing Crow Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc - $17.99
This wine is special to me because I’m friends with the winemaker (no big deal 🤭). Head Winemaker Scott Kirkpatrick is at the helm of this family owned and operated winery that spans four generations. Scott practices the “less is more” approach to winemaking, allowing the grapes and terroir of Lake County to shine through. Sauvignon Blanc is Dancing Crow’s flagship variety, so safe to say he does it well! This Sauvignon Blanc is Loire Valley-esque, with notes of bright citrus and sharp minerality. This is the wine you want to drink during these last few weeks of warm weather!
Turley White Zinfandel - $27.99
I know, I know. Why am I writing about White Zin? Isn’t that a grocery store style of wine? Hear me out though. Turley is well-known for making incredible Zinfandels out of a number of different regions in California. It was founded in Napa Valley in 1993 and now makes about 50 different wines! This will be the best White Zinfandel you’ve ever had. It’s dry, so there’s no detectable sweetness in the wine. What you will get is abundant notes of ripe strawberries and whipped cream. This is the kind of rosé that makes you want to drink rosé all year. Trust me when I say you want a bottle of this before it goes out of stock for the season.
LIOCO Mendocino Pinot Noir - $28.99
LIOCO is made by a husband and wife team, Matt and Sara Licklider, who are passionate about bringing nuance and elegance to California wines. While they do not own vineyards, they source their grapes from a number of different growers around the state. The results of meticulously grown grapes and minimalist winemaking are wines that speak of their place and have layers of complexity. This wine is full of Bing cherry, raspberry, flower petal, and dried tobacco leaf notes. It speaks to how bright and lifted California Pinot Noirs can be. Enjoy this one with your favorite takeout food for a great high-low pairing.
