Wine
Lula Cellars Tasting Room
but it would also pair well with
a nice smoky cheese or the
Thanksgiving turkey. The wine
normally sells for $20 a bottle, but
the 2013 is sold out. Lula Cellars will
be introducing the 2014 wines soon,
so this might be a good wine to get
before it’s gone again.
Rosato (Rosé of Pinot Noir)
Rosé wines in the U.S. are just
starting to gain popularity, in part
because people see a “pink” color
and think sweet. A true rosé,
however, is nothing like those pink,
sweet white Zinfandels so popular
two decades ago. A true Frenchstyle rosé is made by letting the
juice have limited contact with the
skins. The 2013 Mendocino Rosato
was sourced from a single Pinot Noir
vineyard in nearby Comptche. The
wine is made of five different Pinot
Noir clones—Pommard, Dijon #115,
Dijon #777, Dijon #667 and Swan—
with several hours of skin contact
for the juice. The low temperature
fermentation process (at 60 degrees
F) creates a lush, fruity wine that
feels delicate, but with great flavor.
When you sip this one—probably my
favorite style wine for a hot summer
day—you get strawberries and
watermelon as you lift the glass
to your nose. The crisp acidity keeps
it smooth and balanced. As I tasted
this one, I closed my eyes and
imagined sipping it with a gentle
ocean breeze and munching on a
salad with goat cheese and citrus
vinaigrette. The 2013 Mendocino
Rosato sold for $20 a bottle, but
is also sold out. Definitely another
one to watch for as soon as the 2014
Rosatos are released.
Heading for the Coast
The next time you head to Northern
California, rent a car and drive
northwest to the coast of
Mendocino. It’s worth the drive to
meander along Highway 128 from
north of the city, past Sonoma
County, into Mendocino County and
through the Anderson Valley to the
coast. Lula Cellars tasting room is
the last one before you leave the
town of Philo (or the first one on
your way back to the city). Take the
time to stop in and sip the wines.
Dan, the tasting room manager, will
help you find your perfect wine. If
you can’t get to Mendocino anytime
soon, you can join the Wine Club
or order wines online (shipping
instructions are clearly stated
on the winery’s website). I think I
may have to make a return trip just
to pick up a bottle of the 2014
Rosato—and take it on over to the
coast with me for a day of wine,
cheese and ocean breezes. For more
on Lula Cellars, visit online at
lulacellars.com.
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