Christie Kiley on May 25, 2015 0 Comments No matter what your level of wine enthusiasm is or what you like, it is always nice to step out of your routine and try something different. Warm weather has kicked in and summer-like temperatures are already showing, but that does not mean you have to step away from the red. Instead, try something different and out of the ordinary. The 2012 Shatter Grenache is just that and it is still a great wine to have with some of your favorite summer fare. Think gourmet burgers or your favorite cut of steak. This wine sure has an interesting story to tell! The Shatter Label The Shatter label was launched by the team of Trinchero Family Estates and the well-known winemaking legends of California, Dave Phinney from Orin Swift and Joel Gott from Joel Gott Wines. It began just a few years ago in 2012. In 2008, Dave had visited the Maury region in the northern part of Languedoc-Roussillon in France. He was fascinated by the region and shared his intrigue with Joel who came to visit later in 2010. The region is in a dramatic spot and wind-swept with interesting terroir. The region is associated with Grenache Noir and Grenache Blanc and they are closely crafted to the sweeter styles of wine from Banyuls just southeast, who also cultivate Grenache. The terroir of Maury is made up of pretty steep limestone cliffs beginning at the foothills of the Pyrenees. The wine market of the region is widely made up of smaller artisanal and family producers. Joel Gott, Dave Phinney and Trinchero decided they might join the community. Their goal was to produce a unique red that could not closely be duplicated or replicated in California. There is something really unique that influences the wine from the Maury region. What is Grenache? For those of you out there scratching your head, let’s get into what Grenache is so you might be able to understand the wine you are about to try and enjoy. Grenache just happens to be one of the most widely planted grapes in all of the world! It needs a long growing season and is slow to ripe. This is why it is found in warmer/hotter regions such at the south of France, California and has popped up in Australia. It is believed to have originated in the Aragon region of Spain and it spread under Aragon rule to other parts of the Mediterranean. In Italy, it is locally called Cannonau and is grown in Sardinia. The alcohol content of the wines of Grenache are relatively on the high side, but that is due to their longer growing season. Do not let that put you off. A well-crafted Grenache wine will be in balance and the alcohol will hardly be noticeable–at least not until the second or third glass! The wines are bold and rich and even a little spicy with characteristic aromatic and flavor profiles of super ripe raspberries and strawberries. Younger wines of this varietal tend to be high in tannin and can be a bit astringent on the palate, which makes this an ideal wine to cellar. Depending on its quality, it could cellar for up to five or ten years, which will allow the tannin to soften and directly influence flavors and aromatics to evolve as well. The Wine The Shatter Grenache wine could not have arrived at a more perfect time. Summer is already around the corner. While you may love to have some beers chilling on ice in the cooler, there is no better wine that will please the crowds with traditional barbecue food than this wine. This is a big and rich wine! Bust out some delicious barbecue sauce and give it a shot! Baste it on beef or pork ribs and brisket, and maybe even toss a little bit of this wine in the recipe. It can’t get much better than that. This wine is full of aromas and flavors reminiscent of chocolate-covered cherries, berry jam and cassis liqueur. It is even a little savory with some dried spice notes, black pepper aromas. This wine is just plain fun! I am sure you will love having the Shatter Grenache for all your summer outings. Cheers!
