Rolling Hills Called Valley

Traveling north from the infamous valleys of California particularly blessed by proximity to San Francisco, you start to travel through hilly regions known by the names of the little rivers that pass through parts of the hills. In these valleys one encounters the truly unique and spectacular wines California has to offer. The cool sea-breezes keep these hills temperate and amiable to many varieties of grape.

One variety I encountered in these 'valleys' was a Grenache Gris. Only familiar with the typical red Grenache, I was of course enticed. And I was pleasantly surprised.

The color is typical of a slightly sweet white wine – soft and golden. The smell is strongly floral, with hints of lily, vanilla, and springtime. The taste is similar to Gewurtztraminer, but with a stronger bite in the aftertaste and hints of sour apple. The alcohol and acidity are a refreshing addition to the usually too-sweet white wines.

Still, this wine matches more closely to desert wine, and would go well with bananas flambé or a fruit tart rather than a dinner dish like fish or pork. It is also a refreshing wine to chill and enjoy on a warm late-spring day. The wine is such a unique taste to my palate that I cannot relate it to past travels and experiences, which is always a pleasant surprise!