“That’s it, baby, if you’ve got it, flaunt it,” Mel Brooks, The Producers.
California is amazing – a veritable grape basket as well as a bread basket. Almost all of its viticultural produce thriving in its fecund environment is a practically befuddling blizzard of variety from around the world. Unusual white grapes such as Gruner Veltiner (Austria), Albarino (Spain) and reds like Grenache (France), Nebiolo (Italy), Nero d’Avola (Italy), Sangiovese (Italy), Petite Verdot (France), Sagrantino (Italy again), Aglianico (Italy) and, naturally, Zinfandel (of intellectually debatable provenance) all thrive there. A number of wineries to varying degrees avail themselves of that bounty.
According to “Warden-Winemaker” Georgetta Dane, the Big House Wine Company in Soledad, California is a mere ankle iron’s toss from the Soledad State Correctional Facility. Signature blend red and white wines are made with unconventional and elusive grape varieties such as many of those listed above.
I recently tried Big House’s Red and White wines, and would like to report my thoughts.
1) Big House White Wine, 2010, California, $9.99 per bottle, $22 per 3 litre “keg” (bag in a box?). Clear, barely off-white with light body. The nose hinted of light floral notes (Gruner Veltiner, Chenin Blanc and Viognier?) and pineapple with a dab of crisp apple. In the mouth, faint, light statements of butterscotch and more pineapple played for attention. Light easy finish. Goof for sushi or an easy picnic. B-
2) Big House Red Wine, 2010, California, $9.99 per bottle, $22 per 3 litre “keg.” Pleasing purple with heavy body. Lightly rich nose with suggestions of plum and blueberry. Clean, light finish (The Italians talking?). Nice with pasta and red sauce. C+.
Both of these wines were interesting, but I’d be hard-pressed to pick a clear lock-up winner…
