skip to main content

Lodi Winegrape Commission

  • Home
  • Wineries
  • About
  • Visit
    • Visitor Center
  • Club
  • Events
  • Store
    • LODI RULES Sustainable Certification
    • White Wines
    • Rosé Wines
    • Red Wines
    • Sparkling/Dessert Wines
    • Old Vine Wines
    • Merchandise
  • Blog
TOP

Letters from Lodi

An insightful and objective look at viticulture and winemaking from the Lodi
Appellation and the growers and vintners behind these crafts. Told from the
perspective of multi-award winning wine journalist, Randy Caparoso.

Randy Caparoso
 
December 13, 2011 | Randy Caparoso

Dream case for the Lodi wine lover who has everything

IMG_6064

Why begrudge your fellow man by stalking off or clicking off the television every time one of those Lexus Christmas commercials comes on?  We can be happy for other people’s success (yeah, right), but when it comes to wine, this question never really goes away:  why do people spend too much on bottles of wine?

We’re talking about big-name, big-shot wines that cost over $100, $200, or even $500 a bottle.  They’re not like a Lexus, which at least gives you a nifty package of engineering.  Fine wine is more like aesthetic arts or crafts:  the qualities appreciated are sensory, and therefore very much a state of mind, rather than a measurable technology.  The most exciting wine, when you think like this, are those that are totally new and unexpected.  Wines of originality as opposed to sameness; surprise as opposed to predictability.

And if there’s anything for which Lodi grown wines are becoming increasingly known, it’s their originality and total, wonderful ability to surprise.  Who would think, for instance, that wines made from grapes called Tannat or Verdelho could taste so good?  Although these grapes have European origins, very few vintners in Napa Valley or Walla Walla would think to grow them.  They’re mostly stuck on grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay – which are perfectly fine, but not always a turn-on for wine lovers with a thirst for the new and different.

IMG_0078

So if you truly wish to turn on the big-shot wine lover in your life, consider putting together a case of these twelve exciting Lodi grown wines:

WHITES

2009 Alta Mesa Cellars, Lodi Verdelho ($14) – Cuttings of this grape originated from the Azores island of Pico, discovered by vigneron Ron Silva while visiting his family home.  Amazing dry white with peach skin and lime perfumes, hinting at scented garden herbs like pineapple sage and lemon verbena; tasting lightly tart, silky smooth, stony dry.  Find at Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, lodiwine.com.

2009 Uvaggio, Lodi Vermentino ($14) – Winemaker Jim Moore calls Vermentino the “thinking man’s Pinot Grigio,” which it is – stony qualities laced with citrus and dried herb, lavender-like notes; the potpourri sensations kissing the palate with lemony crispness in a light, lithe, limber body.  uvaggio.com.

2010 Riaza, Terra Alta Vineyard Clements Hills-Lodi Albariño ($19) – Lodi has been feeding the growing demand for this grape with the largest plantings outside its home in Rias Baixas, Spain.  Orgasms of minerals and fruit in a bone dry, medium bodied package; scents of wildflowers, honey, grapefruit, pineapple, even green mango.  riazawines.com.

 

2010 Odisea Cochon, Clements Hills-Lodi Grenache Blanc ($25) – Subtlely crafted white exuding as much a naturalness of fruit as pure, unadulturated intensity:  billowing fragrances of white peach, apricot and tropical flowers, with honeyed, melony, quince-like flavors layered upon silky, swirling, crispy, creamy sensations.  cochonwine.com.

IMG_1034

REDS

 

2008 Bokisch, Terra Alta Vineyard Clements Hills-Lodi Garnacha ($18) – From a clonal selection culled from Spain’s Rioja Baja – very fine, sensual, strawberry liqueur-like fruit, permissive in the nose, demure on the palate, finishing with dangerous whiffs of tobacco.  bokischvineyards.com.

2009 R (Jeff Runquist), Silvaspoons Lodi Souzão ($24) – Few vintners bother with ouzão, even in its native Portugal (where it is usually goes into sweet fortified wines), and this luscious, dry red table wines like this make you wonder why.  Black and Bing cherry explosion in soft, bright, almost levitating medium body.  jeffrunquistwines.com.

2007 Fenestra, Silvaspoons Vineyards Lodi Touriga ($28) – Made from the “king” of Portugal’s Port grapes; here, vinified into a dry varietal red, giving sensations of roasting beef, concentrated plum and blackberryish fruit in nose, with thick, meaty yet pliant palate sensations.  fenestrawinery.com.

 

2006 Akin Estates, Christesen Vineyard Reserve Lodi Tannat ($18) – This South-West French grape is not for the faint of heart – so dense and full you can eat it with a spoon.  Yet amazingly plump with plummy, black fruits, faintly of leather, dusty loam and woodsmoke.  At Woodbridge Uncorked Wine Bar, woodbridgeuncorked.com.

IMG_8144

Kidder Family's Aaron Kidder

2009 Kidder Family, Lodi Syrah ($26) – California Syrah has become so unfashionable that you want to celebrate when a winemaker like Aaron Kidder manages to plumb deep into the grape’s intrinsic beauty – like regally rich violet and Asian tea-like spice perfumes, and meaty, fleshy, yet vibrant, silky sensations that fill the mouth without weighing it down.  To find, Facebook Kidder Family Winery.

2008 Grands Amis, Elk Vineyard Private Reserve Borden Ranch-Lodi Petit Verdot ($25) – Made from Bordeaux’s least appreciated grape – a compote of raspberry and blackberry aromas against backdrop of allspice-like oak; taut, dense, yet sumptuous texturing giving a compact, elegant feel.  grandsamis.com.

2009 Michael-David, Inkblot Lodi Cabernet Franc ($35) – From the “other” cabernet – a hugely rich yet satiny smooth red wine with floral/violet-like varietal aromas entwined with fresh, wild berry perfumes and suggestions of smoky, roasting coffee.  May be the best wine this winery has ever made!  michaeldavidwinery.com.

SWEET WINE

2009 St. Jorge, Lodi Sobremesa ($23/half-bottle) – Finally, something that makes a light dessert in itself, vinified from the Torrontés grapes – a sensually soft, easy, discreetly sweet essence of pear and apple nectars with twists of lemon peel.  stjorgewinery.com.

IMG_5963

Tweet
Pin It

Comments

Commenting has been turned off.
Blog Search
Recent Posts
  • January 19, 2021
    French students break down Lodi winegrowing, marketing, and its Alta Mesa appellation
  • January 13, 2021
    Alternative style Lodi wines reflecting the wave of the future — part 2, new interpretations of heritage grapes
  • January 11, 2021
    Alternative style Lodi wines reflecting the wave of the future — part 1, an unfamiliar white and red
  • January 5, 2021
    Discerning wines of the immediate future through what we know about the past and what's going in Lodi
  • December 29, 2020
    Lodi 2020: The year in pictures
  • December 27, 2020
    The small steps of Lodi growers led to giant leaps for Lodi wine country
  • December 22, 2020
    Looking on the bright side of fading old vine plantings in Lodi
  • December 17, 2020
    Our list of nice Lodi reds, rosés and fortified dessert wines for Christmas gifting and sipping
  • December 15, 2020
    A Lodi white makes the world's Top 100 list, and other Lodi whites for Christmas shopping and sipping
  • December 9, 2020
    The 1980s and 1990s — start of Lodi wine country's modern era
Our Writers
  • Randy Caparoso (804)
Blog Archives
2021
  • January 2021 (4)
2020
  • December 2020 (7)
  • November 2020 (7)
  • October 2020 (6)
  • September 2020 (7)
  • August 2020 (7)
  • July 2020 (7)
  • June 2020 (8)
  • May 2020 (8)
  • April 2020 (8)
  • March 2020 (8)
  • February 2020 (6)
  • January 2020 (6)
2019
  • December 2019 (7)
  • November 2019 (6)
  • October 2019 (6)
  • September 2019 (5)
  • August 2019 (5)
  • July 2019 (7)
  • June 2019 (6)
  • May 2019 (6)
  • April 2019 (6)
  • March 2019 (6)
  • February 2019 (5)
  • January 2019 (7)
2018
  • December 2018 (7)
  • November 2018 (7)
  • October 2018 (9)
  • September 2018 (6)
  • August 2018 (7)
  • July 2018 (8)
  • June 2018 (7)
  • May 2018 (9)
  • April 2018 (8)
  • March 2018 (9)
  • February 2018 (8)
  • January 2018 (8)
2017
  • December 2017 (6)
  • November 2017 (8)
  • October 2017 (10)
  • September 2017 (5)
  • August 2017 (6)
  • July 2017 (7)
  • June 2017 (6)
  • May 2017 (5)
  • April 2017 (7)
  • March 2017 (6)
  • February 2017 (5)
  • January 2017 (7)
2016
  • December 2016 (7)
  • November 2016 (8)
  • October 2016 (7)
  • September 2016 (7)
  • August 2016 (5)
  • July 2016 (7)
  • June 2016 (7)
  • May 2016 (6)
  • April 2016 (6)
  • March 2016 (7)
  • February 2016 (6)
  • January 2016 (5)
2015
  • December 2015 (8)
  • November 2015 (6)
  • October 2015 (7)
  • September 2015 (5)
  • August 2015 (6)
  • July 2015 (7)
  • June 2015 (6)
  • May 2015 (5)
  • April 2015 (6)
  • March 2015 (6)
  • February 2015 (7)
  • January 2015 (5)
2014
  • December 2014 (8)
  • November 2014 (5)
  • October 2014 (7)
  • September 2014 (5)
  • August 2014 (3)
  • July 2014 (5)
  • June 2014 (6)
  • May 2014 (7)
  • April 2014 (7)
  • March 2014 (5)
  • February 2014 (4)
  • January 2014 (7)
2013
  • December 2013 (8)
  • November 2013 (6)
  • October 2013 (7)
  • September 2013 (5)
  • August 2013 (6)
  • July 2013 (4)
  • June 2013 (4)
  • May 2013 (4)
  • April 2013 (5)
  • March 2013 (2)
  • February 2013 (2)
  • January 2013 (4)
2012
  • December 2012 (7)
  • November 2012 (9)
  • October 2012 (9)
  • September 2012 (7)
  • August 2012 (9)
  • July 2012 (8)
  • June 2012 (8)
  • May 2012 (9)
  • April 2012 (8)
  • March 2012 (9)
  • February 2012 (7)
  • January 2012 (9)
2011
  • December 2011 (7)
  • November 2011 (8)
  • October 2011 (7)
  • September 2011 (7)
  • August 2011 (8)
  • July 2011 (8)
  • June 2011 (9)
  • May 2011 (7)
  • April 2011 (9)
  • March 2011 (8)
  • February 2011 (8)
  • January 2011 (7)
2010
  • December 2010 (8)
  • November 2010 (6)
  • October 2010 (2)
  • September 2010 (6)
  • August 2010 (5)
Additional Resources
  • Media & Trade
  • Lodi Winegrape Commission
  • Donation Requests
  • Returns & Cancellations
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
Contact

Lodi Wine Visitor Center
2545 West Turner Road Lodi, CA 95242
209.365.0621
Open: Thursday - Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm

Lodi Winegrape Commission
2545 West Turner Road, Lodi, CA 95242
209.367.4727
Open: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Have a question? Complete our contact form.

  • © Copyright 2021 Lodi Winegrape Commission
  • Winery Ecommerce by WineDirect