2018 JOHAN’S VINEYARD PÉTILLANT NATURALE - WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON
Melon de Bourgogne
Winemaking details: This area of the Willamette, the Van Duzer Corridor, has more calcareous and granitic soils as well as more wind (from the maritime influence) than neighboring appellations, making for lower yields and a longer, cooler growing season. Destemmed and crush grapes see 24 hours of skin contact before pressing. The juice is then fermented in barrel and bottled towards the end of the primary fermentation at 11% alcohol with no added sulfur. This Pet Nat sees disgorging, so it is clearer and less yeasty than some.
Color: Deep gold with a tinge of pink
Bouquet: Apple, watermelon, apricot, white flower.
Palate: Clean and elegant with a light effervescent. Notes of fresh pear and mouthwatering acidity remain long after the last sip.
This wine is best appreciated with in two years.
Further information can be found here: https://www.johanvineyards.com/the-wines
2017 FLOTSAM AND JETSAM - STALWART, SOUTH AFRICA
Cinsault
Winemaking details: The Western Cape of South Africa is home to the 40+ year old dry-farmed vineyard on granite and shale soils that make this Cinsault. After picking fairly early, the wine undergoes a 100% whole cluster and native yeast fermentation for 2-3 weeks. There is very gentle extraction during the fermentation, the wine sees no new wood while ageing, and no further manipulations, except a small amount of sulfur, happen to the wine.
Color: Pale cherry
Bouquet: Violets, red currant, bramble, black olive.
Palate: Juicy yet sleek, this wine is packed with red fruits and berries with zesty acidity. The light body has earthy tones, fennel, and spice to make this a food-friendly and easy drinking red.
Enjoy now or within the next four years.
Further information can be found here: http://flotsamandjetsam.co.za/