Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Description of the Domaine Calera
Located high on the Central Coast of California, Domaine Calera is renowned for its innovative approach to winemaking, particularly for Pinot Noir. Founded by Josh Jensen, the estate takes advantage of a unique terroir and ideal microclimate to cultivate vines at altitude, producing wines that faithfully reflect their origin with a distinct and deep terroir expression.
Description of the Cuvée Calera Pinot Noir from Villiers Vineyard
The Cuvée Calera Pinot Noir From Villiers Vineyard is a tribute to the exceptional terroir and the meticulousness of winemaking at Calera. Coming from a remarkable vineyard, this Pinot Noir is the result of a perfect balance between nature and human craftsmanship. It embodies the estate's commitment to highlighting the unique characteristics of each plot through expressive and elegant wines.
Aromas of the Cuvée
This Pinot Noir offers a rich aromatic bouquet, marked by notes of black fruits, cherry and plum, intertwined with spicy and earthy nuances. Aging in oak barrels contributes to its complex profile, adding touches of vanilla and smoke that enrich the olfactory experience.
Characteristics of the Cuvée
- Grape variety: Pinot Noir
- Profile: With its silky texture and fine tannins, this wine is distinguished by its balance and finesse, offering remarkable length in the mouth and an ability to age gracefully.
- Aging Potential: Although it can be enjoyed now, this Pinot Noir has excellent aging potential which will allow its flavors to develop and flourish over time.
Pairings with this Cuvée
Calera Pinot Noir from Villiers Vineyard pairs wonderfully with sophisticated dishes, such as delicately prepared red meats, wild mushroom dishes, or soft cheeses. Its distinct character and complexity make it a favored companion for special occasions.
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.