Let's talk little, let's talk wine
The "Appellation Series Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir" vintage is an exceptional vintage that pays homage to the elegance of Californian Pinot Noir , while capturing the uniqueness of the coastal terroir of Santa Barbara County . This prestigious wine region, located in southern California, benefits from a cool climate tempered by the oceanic influence , with morning fogs and sunny afternoons. These ideal conditions allow for a slow and regular ripening of the grapes , essential to preserve the natural freshness, aromatic finesse and characteristic acidity of Pinot Noir.
Made from carefully selected plots, this wine is vinified with meticulous care. After controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats , the wine is aged in French oak barrels , some of which are new, to bring complexity, roundness and structure without masking the fruity expression of the grape variety. This artisanal method respects the balance between fruit, terroir and barrel aging.
Upon tasting, this vintage reveals a brilliant ruby color , followed by a rich and expressive nose with aromas of black cherry, ripe raspberry, clove, rose petal and toasted notes . On the palate, the wine seduces with its supple tannins and a long and harmonious finish marked by touches of spices, liquorice and slightly jammy red fruits. This Pinot Noir perfectly combines freshness, elegance and depth.
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 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.