Happenings at TWC
Symphony Grape Variety
Since 4.0 Cellars currently offers a bright, fresh summer white wine that contains the Symphony grape, it seems an appropriate time to tell you about this little-known grape. The wine of interest is the 2014 Lily by Brennan Vineyards. Symphony is a Californian crossing of Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris developed in 1948 by the late Harold Olmo, professor of viticulture at UC-Davis. As its pedigree suggests, it is an aromatic variety with aromas of peach, apricot and lychee with slightly spicy flavors. Symphony is mostly used in white-wine blends, where it contributes to the aromatic profile of the final product. A few varietal examples of Symphony are made in California, typically produced as off-dry or late-harvest wines. Continue »
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:35 AM
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Rhône White Grapes in Texas
Texas grape growers and wine makers are planting and vinifyingt more white grapes that originate in hotter climates, such as the southern regions of France near the Mediterranean Sea coast. The best-known of these include Viognier, the key grape in the northern Rhône appellation of Condrieu; Roussanne, an important component of white blends in the southern Rhône appellation of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and Marsanne, a primary grape in white blends from the famed northern Rhône appellation of Hermitage. Continue »
May 25, 2017 at 1:37 PM
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Roussanne – Richness from the Mediterranean
Roussanne (roos-ahn or roos-ann) is believed to be native to the Rhône Valley near the Mediterranean Sea in Southern France. Although most of the world’s Roussanne is today grown in the Rhône Valley, other regions, especially Texas, are beginning to show interest in the variety. In the Southern Rhône, Roussanne is one of six white grape varieties permitted in the famous wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (blanc & rouge). It is often blended with Grenache Blanc, which adds richness and crisp acidity to Roussanne’s pear and honey flavors. In the Northern Rhône, Roussanne is frequently blended with Marsanne to provide acidity, minerality and richness. Limited plantings have been made in Australia, Italy, and the U.S., particularly in CA’s Central Coast, WA’s Yakima Valley and Texas. Continue »
Mar 15, 2017 at 7:00 AM
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Sparkling Wines – Great for the Holidays
Sparkling wines always seem to conjure up visions of celebrations and special occasions. They can be made by several different methods, from almost any grape, range from sweet to totally dry, and be white, rosé or red. With Christmas and the New Year just around the corner, this seemed like a good time to highlight sparkling wines. Continue »
Dec 21, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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Cinsault – A Blending Specialist
Cinsault (sin-SOH or san-SOH) or Cinsaut (without the “l”) is a common red grape in the Rhone Valley of southern France. Because Cinsault is heat and drought tolerant, it is also important in the southern French region of Languedoc-Roussillon and former French colonies of Algeria and Morocco. The origin of the grape is uncertain, but it likely came from some place along the eastern Mediterranean. Cinsault produces richly colored red wines with a softer, less tannic character, and is often blended with grapes like Grenache, Carignan (care-in-yawn) and Syrah to impart softness, spicy flavors and fresh fruit aromas. Continue »
Oct 26, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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Mistelle of Semillon
The Mistelle Dessert Wine from Brennan Vineyards in Comanche, Texas, is currently available at 4.0 Cellars. This delicious wine is beautifully packaged in tall, colorless 500 mL bottles. Newburg Vineyard, one of three Comanche County estate vineyards for Brennan, is the source of the Semillon fruit that produced this lovely concoction. The wine is relatively high in alcohol, 16%, and carries a balancing 7% level of residual sugar. Armed with this information, you may have already developed a notion of what this wine tastes like and whether you would enjoy it. Before making a final decision, please read on to get the rest of the story behind why Todd Webster, Brennan’s talented wine maker, produced this wine. Continue »
Oct 12, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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Montepulciano - 4.0 Cellars Italian Style
A Montepulciano is featured in the September, 2016, 4.0 Cellars Wine Club release. The wine was made at Brennan Vineyards in Comanche, TX, and is marketed under the 4.0 Cellars label. Montepulciano is the second most planted red grape varietal in Italy. It is growing in popularity in Texas, too. Montepulciano is believed to have originated in the Tuscany region of Italy, but today is mostly found in the regions of Marche and Abruzzo located to the east of Tuscany, across the Appenine Mountain range. Because of its tolerance to heat and dry conditions, Montepulciano is generating interest from Texas winegrowers ranging from the Hill Country to the High Plains. Continue »
Sep 28, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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Blanc du Bois – For the Hot & Humid
Blanc du Bois is a hybrid grape generated by John Mortenson at the Univ of Florida in 1968, by crossing another hybrid, Florida D 6-148 with Cardinal, a CA table grape. The varietal was named for Emile DuBois, a grower who emigrated from France to the U.S. in 1882. It was released to commercial growers in 1987, and has now spread across the southeastern states from Florida to Texas. Hallmark characteristics include crisp acidity, fresh fruit and floral aromas, along with citrusy flavors. Blanc du Bois typically works better in off-dry wines, and has been used to make fortified wines in the style of Madeira. Continue »
Aug 17, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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Mourvèdre – Warm Weather Wonder
Mourvèdre (moor-ved), also known as Mataró or Monastrell, is an important grape in warm weather areas of Europe, especially along the Mediterranean Coast of Spain and France. Also grown in Australia and the U.S., the styles of wine made from Mourvèdre range from rosés to lighter reds, and from dark, full-bodied reds to port-style wines. Continue »
Aug 3, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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Viognier-A Natural for Texas
Viognier [vee-ohn-YAY] has become a key white grape variety in the burgeoning Texas wine industry. Viognier is a naturally low-yielding grape with fragrant aromatics producing lush, full-bodied wines that have helped to fill the market where Chardonnay and other popular white wines have been less successful in the hot, dry Texas climate. Continue »
Jul 20, 2016 at 7:00 AM
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