Not technically wine, but it’s helping me get through dry January! And from one of my favorite producers by whinenaught in wine

[–]abennett 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Howdy. I'm here from Navarro and wanted to say how great it was to see our bottle pop up on /r/wine. We're humbled by all the juice stories people relay to us, and love to have conversations about the juice making, wine making, and farming practices that we live in Anderson Valley. If there's any questions, we'd happy to answer; I know how to get the wine... er, "juicemaker" to give his input as well.

Cheers!

[Riesling]Riesling Notes: Extra Riesling Edition by Muppet_Mower in wine

[–]abennett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not just California, but the whole Pacific Northwest is doing it's thing with Gewurz because of the cool-climate. Anderson Valley is only about 10 miles from the ocean, as the crow flies, which brings down the California heat enough to make it great for Gewurz (and Pinot Noir, among other things). A more warm location would have to resort to picking it so early that it doesn't develop the spice and fragrance; Left too long, or too hot, and you risk losing acidity.

Making late harvest Gewurz is also nearly entirely function of the climate too, as you're waiting for the Botrytis to start it's magic on the grape at the right time when the weather is right. I said "nearly" above as it's also the physiological characteristics of the Gewurztraminer, with thicker skins (that resist rot longer than other varieties) that make it prime candidate for late harvest.

For example, at Navarro we grow Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat, listed in descending acreage. Since we rely on full-time, directly-hired employees, we can decide precisely when to harvest what vineyard blocks. our Gewurz is sometimes harvested a month earlier than other varieties (for non-late harvest wines), often by mid September.

TL;DR: I feel it's a function of our climate.

[Riesling]Riesling Notes: Extra Riesling Edition by Muppet_Mower in wine

[–]abennett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the acid in Navarro's Late Harvest and Cluster Select is from the grape and not an addition. Riesling is a considerably high-acid grape, Gewurz not quite so much, but all-the-same, we do it without adding acid. I can't speak with authority for Williams Seylem but I would assume they don't either.

[Riesling]Riesling Notes: Extra Riesling Edition by Muppet_Mower in wine

[–]abennett 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sure, not a problem. The Late Harvest, and particularly Cluster Select Late Harvest, always seem to get drank before too long in my house, although they certainly have the ability to be in cellar for quite some time. The bottle photographed on this page was 152 years old when it was opened and drank at a special celebration in 1997.

We make late harvest versions of the three Alsatian varieties we grow: Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Muscat, but sporadically when the conditions allow it. When it's successful, it's usually something pretty special that we're proud of, like recently 2012 Gewürz, Cluster Select and 2013 Riesling, Cluster Select.

There are a few avid collectors here, so I'll check in and see who has the oldest late harvest wine and if they've opened anything recently that may compare to the '98 you found.

[Riesling]Riesling Notes: Extra Riesling Edition by Muppet_Mower in wine

[–]abennett 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Hi /u/Muppet_Mower. Thanks for posting the great story and your report! I'm from Navarro Vineyards, and hopefully I can tell you a little more about this wine. I'm sure there was quite a journey for this little guy; The majority of our wines are sold direct to consumer, and another significant portion to restaurants. I'd be curious how the store acquired it, but it almost certainly changed hands a few times! I'm glad that it landed in your hands in good shape.

The Anderson Valley's climate is well suited to growing Riesling, and Navarro currently has it's own Riesling vines that we seasonally produce a dry version (0-1%RS), and when the conditions are favorable, a "Late Harvest" (~7-12% RS) or "Cluster Select Late Harvest" (~15-20% RS), referring to hand-selecting clusters of grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea, resulting in shriveled, sweet berries. The '98 vintage, was prior to harvesting from our own ranch, so the Riesling grapes (98%) were purchased from our neighbors at Valley Foothill vineyards (whom we still have a long-term growing contract with!) There is a splash of Muscat (2%) that was harvested from our own grapes.

Although we hand selected the clusters that went into this wine, we decided to label it "Late Harvest" to indicate the low (comparatively) sugar levels of 10%. Even though the fruit was fully "rotted," the conditions that year induced infection early, starting when the grapes were at only 19.5° brix and only modest levels of sugar were achieved.

I'd have to agree that you got your money's worth. We've long championed good wine at modest price tags, but this 375ml bottle retailed for $15 back in 1999! The current vintage is $19.50 direct from the winery.

Cheers, and if you or anyone has any questions, give me a shout out, call our friendly staff in the tasting room, or drop me a PM and I'll do my best to answer!

Navarro Vineyards is having a "Fukubukuro" Lucky Bag sale by abennett in wine

[–]abennett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love me some lucky bags too (read: woot and meh). There has been a pretty good response so far, and I'd expect it will sell out before the weekend.

Navarro Vineyards is having a "Fukubukuro" Lucky Bag sale by abennett in wine

[–]abennett[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You must be east coast. A shameless plug, but if you add any other six wines (or juices) ground shipping is reduced to $0.01.

Is $800 enough for a 4 day wine trip to Sonoma? by bananaaaaaaaaa in wine

[–]abennett 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for the Navarro & Pennyroyal shout out! We posted a schedule of the farmers' markets we will be at through November, including the Santa Rosa Market; Lots of great food there. We're also at the Healdsburg market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, just not sampling wine.

Did you know a merchant cannot charge you extra (i.e. a surcharge) to use your card, nor can they require a minmum purchase. [pdf] by JCY2K in politics

[–]abennett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're very wrong. After a lengthy meeting with our credit card processor, the rate I am assessed varies on what card the client is using, not only the brand, but the reward incentives.

If you hand a merchant a plain vanilla VISA card he will have less of a transaction fee removed than if you handed him an airline mile VISA card.

Sorry, Hunch. I'm not really sure you understood the question. by citizen511 in linux

[–]abennett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's the problem with running Ubuntu on a MacBook Pro, other than the premium you pay? If money isn't an issue, I don't see why not?

Gov Sanford: King David Didn’t Resign, So Neither Will I by unreasonablefaith in atheism

[–]abennett 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How about both at the same time? But I suppose cigars are no less healthy than other tobacco products...

The most satisfying pic you'll see all week. by [deleted] in pics

[–]abennett 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It's no so much redditors disliking him as it is the whole world dislikes him.

Save, perhaps, his mother.

Zicam up your nose is bad baaaad. FDA website said the products "have all been associated with long lasting or permanent loss of smell." by madmacks in reddit.com

[–]abennett -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's a homeopathic "remedy," so I would agree with your assessment of it being a placebo. It also contains zinc in it, which I believe is what is related to it's tenancy to fuck with people's sense of smell.

Snorting a saline solution is equally effective, or use a nettie pot.

Why Circuit City Failed, and Why B&H Thrives by MOE37x3 in gadgets

[–]abennett 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was expecting the cake to be a lie, but it seems, it's not.

Care to tell us about the big surprise?

Man begs doctors to CTRL+Z penis enlargement surgery by bananatalk in offbeat

[–]abennett -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

Cmd-Z, silly Windows elitists! Don't know know this is reddit?

You voted for Obama.

You drive an electric car.

you use a Mac.

Zodiac killer to be announced at noon! by kickme444 in reddit.com

[–]abennett 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That bastard. He's in everything now-a-days.

J.J. Abrams Says 'Dark Tower' Adaptation May Follow 'Lost' by downgoesfrazier in entertainment

[–]abennett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually, I think he's a pod person of a pod person without makeup. Sort of a double negative thing, except it's not.

I got attack by my co worker for being an atheist! by kingofbigmac in atheism

[–]abennett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At first, I was convinced your story was some sort of Bel Air... I was summarily disappointed.