A grilled duck breast with herbs, a pan-fried tuna steak, rosemary lamb chops, or a well-seasoned beef carpaccio.
Let's talk little, let's talk wine
If there was a signature wine that exemplifies the style of the Birichino estate, it is this one. The Besson vineyard was planted in 1910, and the fruit of its over 100 year old vines produces this astonishing 100% Grenache. The combination of old vines , low yields , natural fermentation, 12 months of aging in old oak barrels and the absence of filtration produces a fragrant, prismatic wine, full of subtlety. This wine impresses on multiple levels. The aromas of red berries , wild strawberries , dried thyme , cranberry , raspberry and pomegranate are both rustic and refined. The palate is framed by fresh acidity and delicious minerality that give depth to the flavors. Far from the over-oaked and overly concentrated Californian style, this wine demonstrates fabulous balance and great finesse.
Where are we traveling?
California
While 50 American states produce wine, California alone accounts for approximately 85% of the country's production, making it the 4th largest producer in the world behind Italy, France, and Spain. The climate is strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, which, at this latitude, is a cold ocean. Wine regions located near the Pacific have an oceanic climate that becomes Mediterranean further inland from the ocean, and more continental closer to the Sierra Nevada. Bays and openings to the sea, such as San Pablo Bay, act as thermal regulators for viticulture, particularly in Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
Sub-region: Santa Cruz Mountains
Vineyards dot the valleys and ridges of this coastal sub-region located just south of San Francisco. Microclimates are difficult to generalize, and vineyards are often separated by acres of forests and grasslands (not to mention entire towns!), but this area is nevertheless known for its cooler climate, ideal for Pinot Noir. This climate results in wines with a less mature, less powerful profile and more finesse.
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.
