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Varietal:
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Gruner Veltliner
- Grüner Veltliner is the most widely planted grape variety in Austria, making up about a third of all the vineyard land in the country, according to importer extraordinaire Terry Thiese. The varietal has definitely increased in popularity of the past few years, as sommeliers and wine directors loaded their lists with this spicy white because it pairs well with so many things. Its bouquet has been described as floral, tending to toward musky, with hints of peppery greens, lentils, citrus and red fruit with a distinctive mineral quality. In the mouth the wine can be broad or precise, but is almost always distinguished by bracing acidity and flavors that mirror the nose. A notoriously good ager, you can drink GrüVes in their youth, or let them evolve in complexity in your cellar. |
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Country:
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United States
- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world. |
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Specific Appellation:
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Santa Maria/Santa Barbara
- Santa Maria and Santa Ynez make up the two AVAs of Santa Barbara County, an area known for its natural beauty and temperate climate. The best grape-growing areas, however, are located on the very coastal reaches of these two appellations, and are cooled by ever-present fog and ocean breezes (it is even cooler and foggier here than Carneros!). As expected, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive while the more inland zones lay claim to Bordeaux varietals and some Rhône blends. |
