Talisman Wine’s Post

"No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any f***ing Merlot!" – Miles Raymond, Sideways This chart is a fascinating reminder of the difference between what gets talked about and what actually gets consumed. Remember the "infamous" Sideways? Turns out, Merlot not only survived—it thrived. Merlot that continues to resonate with people, even when the chatter suggests otherwise. And I have to admit, is one of my favorite varietals. Shared data on the top 15 wine grape varieties between 2000 and 2016 tells an interesting story: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah have grown remarkably. The truth is, the big international varieties still hold power. But there’s another side to this story—one of potential for the underdogs. Think about Apple's rise under Steve Jobs—people didn’t know they needed an iPhone until it was in their hands. The same could be true for wine. Native varieties, less mainstream grapes, have the chance to shine. But it takes a clear product vision, strong differentiation, and a compelling story. Success doesn’t require massive volumes; it requires resonance. Should we stick with the crowd favorites, or is there room for something different? How do we take those niche varieties and create the next big thing? #wine #marketing #datadriven #market #nativegrape

Interesting. Avg Brix Levels of Main Wine Grape Varieties Crushed in California, 2022. Tannat is #1 with 25.5°Brix, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah and Cabernet Franc (each 25.2°Brix). At the bottom is Burger (17.3°Brix). Very low also French Colombard (20°), Chenin Blanc (20.1°) and Riesling (20.4°). https://lnkd.in/eZsHfx5G

Interesting. Avg Brix Levels of Main Wine Grape Varieties Crushed in California, 2022. Tannat is #1 with 25.5°Brix, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah and Cabernet Franc (each 25.2°Brix). At the bottom is Burger (17.3°Brix). Very low also French Colombard (20°), Chenin Blanc (20.1°) and Riesling (20.4°).

In contrast to wine grapes, there is very little diversity in raisin grapes in California. 81% of the raisin vineyard area is planted with Thompson Seedless; another 12% with Fiesta and 5% with Selma Pete.

Round 2 in Traditional Grape Varieties vs The Rest - Whites Edition! Pretty similar results to the reds here, with the incumbents giving significant ground to emerging grape varieties in our sales over the last 5 years. 💪 Chardonnay has seen some decline, but anecdotally I’d put much of this down to cost pressures with this variety, rather than it necessarily being out of fashion. It all counts I suppose. Riesling continues to perform well, with there being so many brilliant sub-$30 options on the market now. We’re so spoiled here. Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon & Pinot Gris/Grigio have always made up a smaller part of our sales compared to the average bottle-o, but it’s still encouraging to see them drop further backwards! 😂 New white varieties that are doing really well include Fiano, Vermentino, Savagnin, Gruner Veltliner & in particular Chenin Blanc (not new in Australia but making some resurgence!). And then for the future, keep an eye on Grenache Blanc, Aligote, Picpoul & Albariño (the real one), which are all showing great promise. 🔮 It’s a brave new world in Aussie wine and these new names are here to stay. Bring it on!

Hot Sacramento in the Central Valley California is of course a famous wine region. No less than 50% of the wine growing takes place here. The large Inland Valley, also called the Central Valley, is particularly productive. Everything grows and blooms here; two-thirds of all fruits and nuts in the United States come from here. This also includes grapes for both currants and wine. The warm Central Valley can be divided into the northern Sacramento Valley and the southern San Joaquin Valley. The largest agricultural activity takes place in the southern region. The Central Valley is approximately 650 km long and has a diverse soil structure. It is a former ocean floor that has created a marine deposit. Together with the erosion of the surrounding mountain ranges, an extremely fertile soil has been created. To the east lie the Sierra Nevadas while to the west the Coast Ranges with the Central Coast region. In short, Sacramento Valley Sacramento Valley is not particularly extensive when it comes to wine. And unfortunately, these wines are not easily available outside the region. These are mainly wines made from grape varieties that appreciate warmth, such as Syrah, Tempranillo, but also Malbec and Chenin Blanc. Read more about the sub-appellations https://lnkd.in/eUc9U3-n #wine #winelover #wset #wijn #wijnliefhebber

Is there a more exciting sight when driving into a vineyard than seeing the vines heavy with all the clusters of grapes? Well, without sufficient concentration of zinc in the soil that would not be possible. Zinc is essential for normal leaf development, shoot elongation, pollen development, and the cluster of fully developed fruit. Zinc deficiency has been a known issue in the California Vineyards since the early 20th century, being particularly common in the San Joaquin Valley. The San Joaquin Valley contains 151,000 acres of vineyard, making it the largest wine region in California. #zinc #wine #zincfertilizer #vineyard #internationalzincassociation

la croix de ducru beaucaillou 2018 Second Wine ducru beaucaillou RP：92point Second Growths，GCC 1855    Deep garnet-purple colored, it exudes vibrant notes of crushed blueberries, baked plums, and blackcurrant cordial.Hints of bouquet garni, underbrush, clove oil, and cast-iron pan are also present.Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins.It supports muscular black fruits, finishing earthy.    This wine is not a second wine as it comes from a dedicated part of the vineyard. harvested very small berries, the ratio of skin to juice was high。ust enough freshness to lift the dense fruit to a long finish.

Engineering from the start, starting with functional drainage through out the cellar…

What makes certain grapes come in ahead of others? Chris Kenefick, owner and CEO of Kenefick Ranch Winery, gives a little insight into this in our latest #Harvest2024 update. Since all grape vines are in the ground and don’t get planted each spring (like tomatoes, for example), the grapes themselves follow their natural growth cycle each year. And, like the humans who tend them, some are early and some are late. Whites always tend to ripen first and then reds follow, but there are differences within the grape color. As Chris points out, Malbec comes in before Cabernet. Pinot comes in before all of them. This is just one of the many elements that the grape growers and winemakers of #NapaValley have to plan for! Follow along and catch up on the entire #2024vintage at harvestnapa.com.