Ridge Vineyards Grenache Blanc 2024

This cuvée comes from three vineyards on the west side of Paso Robles, California: Fossil Creek, Adelaida and Halter Ranch. The plots, located in the Willow Creek and Adelaida districts within the Paso Robles appellation, lie on fractured limestone soils mixed with shale and sandstone. The relatively cool climate of these areas, with cool nights, preserves the brightness and natural tension of the white Rhône grape varieties.

The grapes, hand-picked from 11 to 18 September, are whole-bunch pressed without destemming. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place naturally, thanks to native yeasts and bacteria. Ageing varies by lot and lasts ten months: 58% in stainless steel, the rest in American and French oak barrels, new acacia, concrete amphora and Italian clay amphora, before blending and bottling.

This wine reveals notes of honeysuckle, citrus blossom, pear, apricot, candied lemon, mango, toasted hazelnut, fresh herbs, gunflint, chalk and sea salt. The palate, both broad and chiselled, combines a slightly phenolic texture with lively, mouth-watering acidity. Its long, mineral and lemony finish retains a lovely sense of freshness.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors into California that boosted the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in Sonoma and Napa. At the start of the 20th century there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so much so that by 1933 only 140 wineries were still producing wine. It was not until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was then known mainly for fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were founded (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976 a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgement of Paris". It pitted the greatest French wines against the American newcomers. On 24 May, an unexpected result shook the wine world when, to everyone's surprise, the United States came out on top. Yet the competition remains fairly unknown to the general public. Today there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Although California largely monopolises the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.