Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Description of the Domaine Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, anchored in California's iconic Napa Valley, is famous for its pioneering role in bringing the region's wines to the global stage. The estate, specialist in Cabernet Sauvignon, is also recognized for its expertise in the production of other grape varieties, applying a careful and innovative approach at each stage of viticulture and winemaking to create wines that express purity and intensity of their terroir.
Description of the Cuvée Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Karia
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Karia Cuvée is an elegant expression of Chardonnay, carefully crafted to capture the balance and finesse characteristic of Napa Valley white wines. Karia comes from a rigorous selection of grapes, highlighting the freshness, aromatics and mineral structure of the grape variety. The attention paid to barrel aging gives the wine a rich texture and subtle complexity, while preserving its fruity character and liveliness.
Aromas of the Cuvée
Karia reveals itself through a delicate aromatic bouquet, where notes of green apple, pear, white flowers and lemon mingle, enriched by touches of vanilla, brioche and a fine minerality. This cuvée expresses the quintessence of Chardonnay with elegance and sophistication, offering a harmonious olfactory and taste experience.
Characteristics of the Cuvée
- Grape variety: Chardonnay
- Profile: A refined and structured white wine, with a beautiful acidity which brings freshness and length on the palate. The creamy texture and lingering finish highlight the estate's expertise in creating high-quality Chardonnay.
- Aging Potential: Although Karia is designed to be enjoyed for its youth and freshness, it has aging potential that will allow the flavors and complexity to deepen with time.
Pairings with this Cuvée
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Karia is perfectly suited to accompany delicate dishes such as seafood, grilled fish or gourmet salads. Its elegance and finesse make it an ideal companion for special occasions and fine dinners.
Where are we traveling?
California
While 50 American states produce wine, Californian production alone represents about 85% of the country's production, making this state 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. The wine regions located near the Pacific have an oceanic climate that becomes Mediterranean the further inland you move from the ocean and it becomes more continental near the Sierra Nevada. Bays and openings to the sea, such as San Pablo Bay, act as thermal regulators on viticulture, particularly in Napa and Sonoma Valley.
The sub-region: Stag's Leap
The Stags Leap district of California's Napa Valley wine region is home to some of the most famous and highly regarded vineyards in the United States. The vineyards here are overwhelmingly dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which produces rich red wines with ripe black currant flavors, a certain freshness and elegance. Located just north of the city of Napa, Stags Leap is in a very special location on the eastern side of the valley. It occupies a narrow strip of valley floor, separated from the main valley by a range of low hills running roughly north to south. Climate also plays a key role (situated 15 miles from the northern edge of San Pablo Bay) the area is well positioned to receive cool, moist breezes that blow north into the valley from San Pablo Bay. These bring the famous Napa Valley fog on summer mornings and afternoons, which provides beneficial cooling on hot, dry days.
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.