Margaritas, Pumpkin Spice, or Grappa?
Photo Credit - National Geographic
Dear Wine Friends,
Recently I saw a meme which spoke to pumpkin spice versus a summertime margarita – and in this meme the margarita won. While there is still a month of summer left, my mind is on grapes, my new love affair with Suisun Valley, and making wine in October.
The information from an article in National Geographic about Suisun Valley and Lanza Vineyards has peaked my interest. The 8 x 3 acre swath of vineyards in Suisun Valley suffered from both phylloxera -- a nasty little insect, and Prohibition in the early 20th century as did Napa Vineyards.
Lanza replanted their vineyards in 1933. Both Napa and Suisun rebounded in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s and California wines were put on the world wine map during the Judgement of Paris in 1976. A must-see movie about the Judgement in Paris is “Bottle Shock”.
If all my calculations are correct, my 10 barrels of wine per season came from about 1 acre of the Lanza, and Lanza Musto vineyards in Suisun Valley. Although, I want to put some grape vines in across the buried stone wall in my back yard, my wine grapes will continue to come from Suisun Valley. Toss the margaritas and pumpkin spice, with crush just around the corner it will be shots of Grappa in Le Garage and I am ready!
God Bless the Grapes!
Sharon
