01/26/05 Vineyard Designated Wines

Welcome to Vine to Wine, this is your host Linda Moran, and on today's program we will discuss vineyard designated wines. Awhile back I was having a beer with some friends in the wine industry. It just so happens that they were grape growers and inevitably some shop talk took place. The conversation revolved around watering practices at the time of harvest and each of their different practices based upon their vineyard sites and the varietals that they grew. They all caught themselves and tried to apologize for what they thought was boring me. I was anything but bored, it was fascinating, and it also has set me on a new mission. I am looking for and drinking more "vineyard designated" wines. They are wines made from grapes that are all from the same vineyard. The grapes are of such noteworthy character that the winery honors the grower by indicating the name of the vineyard on the label. To me this truly embraces the concept of partnership between the grower and the winemaker. We often don't give much thought to where the grapes have come from, when the truth is, that you cannot make really good wine with bad grapes. These vineyard designated wines are often in limited quantity, and may have a bit higher price tag. But, now that I am paying attention to the vineyards again, I find that when I get into the glass the price seems to be worth it. So the next time you are dining out or shopping for wine seek out "vineyard designated" wines and ask what the seller can tell you about the vineyards. Join me, searching for and, enjoying "vineyard designated" wines! Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.