Embrace Santa Cruz’s pinot noir diversity
As we all know, the Santa Cruz Mountains have plenty of diversity when it comes to grape growing. This diversity is due to the microclimates and subregions throughout the mountains.
As we all know, the Santa Cruz Mountains have plenty of diversity when it comes to grape growing. This diversity is due to the microclimates and subregions throughout the mountains.
Even though this appellation produces some fine cabernet sauvignon, merlot and zinfandel wines, the Santa Cruz Mountains are primarily known for the production of chardonnay and pinot noir.
When tasting wine, the characteristics are influenced by the wine-making style, fruit clone, grape-growing practice and, more importantly, the terroir. For those who don’t know, terroir is the French word indicating the region’s soil, weather conditions and history that give the fruit its unique flavor profile.
Recently, there has been a very intense evaluation of pinot noir wines grown within the Santa Cruz Mountains by a team of wine and vineyard experts working with AppellationAmerica.com. The goal of this panel was to evaluate the taste characteristics of pinot noir growing in each of the subregions within the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation.
The subregions that this team came up with consists of six areas: Skyline, Los Gatos/Saratoga, Summit Road, Los Ranchos (Vine Hill area following Highway 17 north), Corralitos and Ben Lomond.
What the AppellationAmerica.com team found with was that each of these subregions had various unique flavor profiles due to the terroir. No only do each of these subregions have different soil types, they also have different climates, which can ultimately affect the overall hang-time and maturation of the fruit.
It might seem odd that wines all grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains can taste so different from another, but it’s true.
The last weekend of March 2009, the Santa Cruz Winegrowers Association will host its annual Pathway to Pinot and Pinot Paradise event, where you have the opportunity to sample a variety of Santa Cruz Mountain pinot noirs at one location.
I highly recommend this event if you love this wonderful grape varietal. It is your chance to taste how the various wine-making styles and sub-regions of this delicate and fine fruit can be different.
In the meantime, pick up a few bottles from your local winery or store and do your own taste comparison with friends and family. Enjoy the holiday season with many cheers!