At the table with Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Beef burger with cheddar, barbecue-glazed pork ribs, lamb skewers with cumin, sausage and pepper pizza, duck breast with figs.
Our wines for
Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021Greenwing
This cuvée comes from the Columbia Valley, in eastern Washington State, in the United States. This vast plateau, sheltered from ocean influence by the Cascade Range, enjoys a very sunny semi-desert climate, with hot, dry summers and cool nights. These wide temperature swings allow Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen fully while retaining lovely freshness, on sandy and silty soils of glacial origin.
The Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with other red grape varieties, including Malbec and Syrah, which bring roundness and spice. The wine is fermented then aged for 16 months in stainless-steel tanks and French oak barrels, 30% of them new, in order to preserve the brightness of the fruit while giving it a harmonious structure.
This wine reveals notes of wild strawberry, cherry, ripe plum, pomegranate, raspberry, candied fig, sweet spices and damp earth. Red and black fruit dominates a gourmand bouquet, lifted by spices and an earthy touch. The attack is dynamic, the palate juicy and balanced between volume and freshness, with supple tannins and a persistent finish.
Where are we traveling?
WashingtonUnited States
Washington State
Washington State lies in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, immediately north of Oregon. Almost all wine production takes place in the hot, desert-like eastern part of Washington, although there is some viticulture in the cooler, wetter west. The Cascade mountain range defines the region's geography, acting as a barrier between the two parts. The mountains create a rain shadow, effectively blocking most of the rainfall.
Columbia Valley
Columbia Valley, in the south-eastern corner of Washington State, is one of the largest official wine regions in the United States. It is centred on the Columbia River and its tributaries: the Walla Walla, Yakima and Snake rivers. The valley lies in a rain shadow created by the Cascade Mountains, which contributes to its dry continental climate. Here, warm days are followed by cool nights, ensuring a long, steady growing season during which the grapes reach full ripeness while keeping their vital acidity.
The little history of the country
United States
In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that boosted the California wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa region. At the start of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933 Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the California wine industry so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained producing wine. It was only from 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition and California was primarily known for the production of fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous estates were created (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc...).
In 1976, a significant event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris". He sees the greatest French wines opposing the new American wines. This May 24, an unexpected result shakes the world of wine, since to everyone's surprise, it is the United States which wins. However, this competition remains relatively unknown to the general public.
Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Even though California largely monopolizes the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and the state of Washington offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon.