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by Fred McMillin
for September 30, 1998
Fiddletown Mourvedre
Prologue
"It seems highly likely that the [Mourvedre vines] available in California are of particularly low quality."
...J. Robinson in Vines, Grapes, & Wines, 1986
The Rest of the Story
However,
in 1986 Jancis Robinson also said that Mourvedre makes "sturdily
good wines that deserve more attention." and that's exactly
what's been going on in California. For example, two years
after the above words were published, Californian Pete Wenzell
planted his Mourvedre vineyard in the Fiddletown district
in the Sierra Foothills. He was very careful to avoid vines
of "particularly low quality." The vines are now old enough
to make exciting wine, which is exactly what Perry Creek
Vineyards does with them...
The Wine
1996 Mourvedre, Fiddletown, Amador County
Perry Creek Vineyard, Somerset, CA.
Tasting Notes—British critic Giles MacDonogh says a good
Mourvedre has blackberry-gingerbread aromas and develops
powerful spicy and leathery flavors. This is a good one.
Rating—My panel gave it a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Contact—Office of Jack Zasowski, Director of Operations,
(800) 880-4026.
Price—$15 range
Postscript
Whistle... 'er...Fiddle While You Work Whence the name "Fiddletown"? Well, during the Gold Rush 150 years ago, a large number of miners from Missouri settled in the area. They brought their fiddles with them. Frequently, one would play to entertain the others while they worked.
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About the Writer
Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College and is Northern California Editor for American Wine on the Web. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers. |
WineDay
Annex
More articles by
Fred McMillin
Welcome to WineDay, the electronic Gourmet Guide's daily update. Monday through Thursday, WineDay presents a wine profile. Then on Fridays we present the Winery of the Week to take you through the weekend.
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