The Wild White, better known as Sauvignon Blanc, is one of the most widely planted grapes around the globe, having acreage in almost every wine region in the world because of its wide range of flavors, depending on the terroir. The grape is related to Traminer, and originates in the south of France. Depending on the environment in which the grapes are grown, and on how ripe the grapes are at harvest, the flavor profile can range from fruits of lime, green apple, and passion fruit, to white peach. What makes Sauvignon Blanc unique from other white wines are the complimentary herbaceous flavors like bell pepper, jalapeño, gooseberry, and grass. These characteristics come from aromatic compounds called pyrazines, and the secret to its signature style.
The California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Workbook is a fairly comprehensive, self-analyzing approach, for vineyards to measure their “level of sustainability and to learn about ways they can improve their practices.” To receive the full certification, wineries would have to submit to a 3rd party inspection. Although there are specific chapters designated for both vineyard water management and energy efficiency, these two concepts are woven through the rest of the workbook.
With the back-to-school season upon us, this is a good time to go back to “wine” school and get down to basics; to go back to the root of your wine enthusiasm. Whether you drink wine for sport or edification, it always enriches the experience to get down to the roots. Going back to basics is always a good exercise, to not only enhance your experience, but to refresh the mind and awaken your palate to new experiences.
Wine pairing has a rich and fascinating history that spans back to ancient civilizations. The practice of winemaking itself dates back at least 8000 years, with archaeological evidence of wine cellars more than 4000 years old. In ancient Egypt and Rome, wine played a central role in extravagant feasts and social gatherings. While formal wine pairing might not have been a structured practice in those times, it is likely that individuals experimented with various combinations of food and wine to enhance their dining experiences.
“Pavlov’s Dog” started as an experiment by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, who meant to discover how a condition response (a bell ringing) is the result of an unconditioned stimulus (food). The tool? The poor dog that hears the bell and immediately salivates whether or not he is presented with food. He went on to prove that these responses also occur in humans.
