IT’S TIME FOR WINE
by
Monty and Sara Preiser
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toquade
We
had the pleasure of meeting winemaker/owner Christine Barbe through the unusual
recommendation of her peers, and spent some time with her and her barrels off
the beaten track just north of St. Helena . Educated at the Bordeaux Institute of Enology, and then
at various French chateaus before coming to the States in 1996 to work at
Mondavi and Trinchero, Christine believes her well crafted Sauvignon Blanc is
the result of what she learned about bringing the inherent grape flavors to the
wine.
Toquade
is the French word for “infatuation,” and it applied to us after observing
Christine’s techniques. She ages the Sauvignon Blanc for six month on the lees,
stirring frequently. This allows the wine to develop a roundness and texture,
as well as to stabilize. There is no fining or filtration, and it is quite
obvious to us it does not need it. The wine is crisp at the outset, and moves
smoothly over one’s palate giving off beams of passion fruit and grapefruit. At
only $16 this is a gem. Give Christine a call.
707-738-7779
|
|