Have you ever felt that the universe was trying to tell you something? Nature has a funny way of knowing how you feel and somehow demonstrates her wisdom at moments that you need it the most. On a recent drive, I was feeling tired and just beaten down and as I turned the bend, there in all its glory was a beautiful rainbow, forcing me to smile. How can anyone feel bad when a beautiful rainbow is stretching across the sky. I was driving, so there was no wine in hand, but there was wine in the seat beside me. Maybe the rainbow was Bacchus himself telling me to relax a little and enjoy a glass when I got home.
In this edition of Wine Wonderland, we’re virtually taking a journey over the rainbow to three remarkable wine regions: Virginia, Paso Robles, and St. Émilion. Each has its own unique terroir, history, and flavor profile, but all share a common thread—pure deliciousness. So, grab a glass and let’s explore!
Virginia – A Rising Star
Virginia’s wine scene has been gaining well-deserved recognition, with Bordeaux-style blends and Viognier leading the way. The wine I’m featuring from here showcases the elegance and balance that this East Coast region can achieve, plus it receives bonus points for being a not-so-common variety.
Gaining high status in Virginia, Petit Manseng is a white grape variety that is known for its loose clusters and its ability to hang on the vine late into the season and still maintain its acidity. It is often turned into an off dry or sweet wine. Similar to Pinot Gris, which is a genetic mutation of Pinot Noir, Petit Manseng is a variation of the black variety of Manseng. Known for its candied fruit and spice aromas, Petit Manseng pairs well with slightly spicy foods.
Petit Manseng is thought to have originated in the southern region of France in Béarn, in the region of Pau. It prefers to be planted in well drained soils. It buds early and ripens late.
Bluestone Vineyard is located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The winery is family owned and produces small-batch wines from their estate or locally sourced vineyards. Bluestone Vineyard began its legacy in 2003 when they began making wine for personal consumption. What was a hobby, became a dream and in 2007, they decided to make a business out of it. After a year of research including consulting with Virginia Tech, the east and north vineyards were planted.
2021 Bluestone Vineyard Petit Manseng (SRP: $26)
~100% barrel fermented in French oak
~2.1% residual sugar
~13% ABV
Paso Robles – Bold and Beautiful
Paso never disappoints, and the wine I’ve chosen from this California gem is no exception. Whether it’s a rich, fruit-forward Cabernet Franc (wink, wink) or a dynamic Rhône-inspired blend, (come back and check next week’s post) Paso’s bold personality shines through in every glass. There’s a reason why we chose Paso to be our home.
Eberle Winery, one of Paso Robles’ pioneering wineries, was founded by Gary Eberle in 1979 and has become a benchmark for the excellence winemaking in the region. Gary grew up in Pennsylvania and went to Penn State on a football scholarship. After graduating with a degree in Biology, he continued his graduate work in cellular genetics at Louisiana State University (LSU.) After completing his Ph.D. in Enology and Viticulture at U.C. Davis, Eberle moved to Paso Robles and began his career by co-founding the Estrella River Winery in 1973. Eberle winery is known for its classic Cabernet Sauvignon and Rhône-style wines, Eberle Winery offers a unique experience with its extensive underground wine caves.
Winemaker Chris Eberle (no relation to Gary) brings a wealth of global winemaking experience, having worked in prestigious wine regions such as Germany, Australia, South Africa, and France. Chris graduated from Cal Poly in 2005 with a degree in agricultural business with a focus on marketing, as well as a minor in viticulture. His expertise and passion for terroir-driven wines have helped maintain Eberle’s reputation for producing balanced, age-worthy wines that showcase the best of Paso Robles.
2023 Côtes du Rhône Blanc (SRP: $34)
~72% Grenache Blanc, 18% Picpoul Blanc, 10%Viognier
~ 13% ABV
St. Émilion – A Classic Treasure
Oh my, St. Émilion—a name synonymous with prestige and timeless winemaking and one of my all time favorite wine regions. St. Émilion is located in the heart of France in the Libournais region. The medieval city, renowned right bank Bordeaux region was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
Bordeaux is a crescent-shaped city located along the Garonne River. It has been the region’s wine capital for decades and has over 100,000 hectares of vines planted. The region experiences an oceanic climate; similar to a Mediterranean climate, except with more substantial rainfall in the summer. Summers tend to be warm with mild winters. There are westerly winds from the Atlantic Ocean that cool the region in the winter and the Bay of Biscay influences the summer temperature.
Situated in the heart of the Saint-Émilion appellation, steeped in history since its construction in 1886, Château Plaisance knows that the vineyards are the soul of any estate. Spanning 19 hectares of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc the vines thrive in well-draining sandy and gravelly soils, ensuring optimal conditions for producing high-quality fruit.
2018 CHATEAU PLAISANCE Montagne-Saint-Emilion (SRP: $22)
~ Merlot with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon
~ 13.5% ABV
Montagne Saint-Émilion is a satellite appellation and consequently prices here aren’t generally less expensive as the main St-Émilion region. The owners of Château Plaisance have a number of properties throughout Bordeaux.
Contemplating Good Times and Good Wines
As I drove towards the beautiful rainbow, I reflected on the concept of how wines make the world a more alluring place and it reminded me: wine is more than just a beverage—it’s an experience, a connection to the land and people, and sometimes, a little bit of magic in a glass.
What wines have recently transported you to a Wine Wonderland?
~Slàinte!
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