Celebrate the 4th of July: The Best American Wines

Celebrate the 4th of July: The Best of American Wine

As we head towards America’s national day of Independence, July 4^th, it seems highly appropriate to shine a light on the brilliant wines that emanate from California. David, himself enjoyed many happy months working at Sequoia Grove winery in the Napa Valley during the late 1980’s. The stories of wine excellence, hospitality and sheer wine excitement is much talked about.  

Napa Valley

A few interesting facts about the Napa Valley. Napa Valley is unequivocally one of the super-premium wine growing regions in the world. It is just five miles across at its widest point and 30 miles long with 18,000 hectares under vine, approximately 1/8^th the size of Bordeaux.  Although commercial vine planting in Napa is traced back to 1839. The winemakers that paved the way for much of this regions’ fame and notoriety were due to the visionary efforts of the late Robert Mondavi and Joe Heitz in the 1960’s with Robert Mondavi building his famous Oakville winery in 1966. Their energy, zeal and natural instinct for crafting great wines were legendary. In 2007 Napa Valley was the first wine producing outside of Europe to be recognised with a Geographic Indication by Europe.

Robert Mondavi created the category of Fumé Blanc and also co-founded Opus One with Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 1978 of Château Mouton Rothschild.  Whelehans Wines link to Opus One is tenuous but one that the company is proud of. When Bob Mondavi flew to Europe to meet the Baron, he first stopped off in Dublin to Catch up with ‘T.P. Whelehan. In Dublin the Baron & T.P.  worked their way through a number of vintages of Mouton Rothschild in le Coq Hardi. The following day they flew to Bordeaux and the deal was done. Opus One became a reality, a reality that continues to go from strength to strength.
The Paris judgement in 1976, the famous competition where Steven Spurrier founder of Académie du Vin presided over a wine competition where the best of California wines triumphed over the best of French wines and caused a huge international stir and catapulted some really extraordinary Californinan wine producers onto the world wine making stage. A movie was even made about this tasting and well worth a look at, ‘Bottle Shock’.

Steven Spurrier

Whelehans Wines tenuous link to this piece of wine history was that Steven Spurrier came over to launch the Whelehans Wine School in 2018 and ran a similar type of tasting, lots of fun! Two of the real stand out producers from the Paris judgement were Château Montelena & Stags Leap Winery. Once again Whelehans Wines tenuous link with Stags Leap winery is that John Williams of Frogs Leap winery, that we directly ship from Napa, was the cellar hand of Warren Winiarski when he crafted the famous 1973 vintage.

Napa Valley is known for its premium Cabernet Sauvignons many of which can attract prices in excess of the first growths in Bordeaux wineries.  In 2019, 64.6% of all red grapes harvested in the Napa Valley were Cabernet Sauvignon with an average price of $7,941 per ton the record so far, Napa County Agricultural Report 2019. The like of Screaming Eagle, Harlan…. Wineries that from their first releases attracted near perfect scores from Robert Parker. 
Neighbouring Carneros is famed for its Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Our tip is also tune into the Movie Sideways and definitely plan a trip to Napa. This is a wonderful wine producing region geared up for the very best in wine hospitality.
We are big fans of Californian wines and directly import the wines of Frogs Leap and Freeman. These wines are definitely in the super premium category and will elevate the 4^th of July celebrations to a new high.  Fingers crossed the sun will shine and the traditional barbequed delights will be the order of the day.

Perfect Independence Day Food and Wine Pairing

Our tips for the perfect food match with traditional barbecued foods are simple yet delicious. Cabernet Sauvignon will prove triumphant with a beautiful barbecued steak, while a elegant Pinot Noir is a dreamy match for barbecued chicken or pork. For seafood lovers, a crisp Chardonnay will be sublime with most barbecued fish, chicken, or simply enjoyed on its own.

However, one grape variety and wine style not to be overlooked - and one that is always a versatile, thrilling crowd-pleaser - is Zinfandel. For the ultimate barbecue experience, a bold, high-quality Zinfandel from California's cooler mountain regions is guaranteed to be memorable! 

Frog's Leap Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020

🍴It pairs beautifully with a classic pan-seared ribeye steak basted in rosemary butter, slow-roasted leg of lamb with garlic and herbs, or a wild mushroom risotto with shaved parmesan. 

Absolutely beautiful aromas of dried thyme, sage, fennel, spearmint, and savoury black olive notes. Medium-bodied with the rustic, dusty tannins you'd expect from these Rutherford vines with a harmonious display of brambly cranberry, raspberry, and black cherry laced with vanilla and tobacco spices. Just lovely.

Freeman Gloria Estate Pinot Noir, 2020

🍴Delicious with mushrooms, and duck. Also, the ripe fruit in the wine pair nicely with the sweet & smoky flavours of the barbecue meats.

Alluring aromas of red roses, maraschino cherries, walnuts and subtle tar. The palate is firmer than that of its sibling Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, with moderate acidity and a stronger tannic backbone. Deep and perfectly ripe, the wine has berry notes accompanied by French oak flavours that carry over to the incredible finish.

Ridge Vineyards, "Lytton Springs", 2022

🍴 Superb with barbecued pork ribs, wood-fired pepperoni pizza, grilled beef burgers, smoked beef brisket, spicy lamb kebabs, aged cheddar cheese, stuffed portobello mushrooms, and venison chili. 

In the glass, the 2022 Lytton Springs shows rich, firm tannins and a savoury, salty edge. Flavours of dark cherries, pluots, and ripe brambly berries unfold alongside herbaceous aromas of fennel and a touch of dried citrus peel. Aged in 15% new American oak, the wine has a really nice balance, with acidity supporting its generous fruit and mouthfeel. 

Freeman Ryo-fu Chardonnay, 2022

🍴 Perfect with fish and shellfish, mild and creamy cheeses, pasta with pesto or cheese-based sauces, chicken or fish in creamy or butter-based sauces.

Complex aromas combining stone fruits, fresh hay, apples and lemon custard. On the palate, the wine displays a balancing act of high, refreshing acidity with a mouthful of wonderfully ripe Chardonnay fruit. Mostly aged in old oak which adds some texture and body but retains a refreshing finish.

Happy 4^th of July from us all!