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Send in the clones

Written by Fred McMillin, Northside Wine Editor

Friday, 17 March 2006

Clones are subvarieties of a variety that often yield wines with significant differences from the norm. Clones are cool! California vintners are always on the lookout for superior ones. Here are a few happy ones which I use in my classes to illustrate the phenomenon. * Sauvignon Blanc – Try the Ventana Winery's version, from the "Ventana clone," developed by creative vintner Doug Meador. Clearly, it is not your typical Blanc. * Zinfandel – Try Lee Sobon's Primitivo, a close kin of zin. * Cabernet Sauvignon – Beaulieu Clone 4 Cab and Clone 6 Cab both show distinctive, high intensity flavors. * Chardonnay – Try the Steele Durell or Bien Nacido. Jed Steele is very picky about the grapes in his Chards, and these are clearly classy clones. Poem Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells And pretty vines all of Merlot! Northside reader Mary Russell says she will not be contrary if we will tell her the best Merlots we've tasted in our Fort Mason classes lately. Here they are. Recommended: * Dallas Conte, Chile, Beringer-Blass Imports, $10 * Kenwood, Jack London Vineyard, $25 Highly Recommended: * Flora Springs, Napa Valley, $25 * Grgich-Hills, Napa Valley, $38 Got a Case of Cellar Chaos? If so, here's a high-tech, user-friendly solution. It's called eSommelier, and not only keeps close tabs on what bottles are where, but when they should taste best. For an online demonstration, visit the eSommelier Web site (www.esommelier.net), or simply to get more info contact Allison Mills at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Pop Quiz Get three right and you are an honorary wine wiz. Match the person with the event. THE PERSON: * Noah * Charles Dickens * Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy * Charles Darwin * Charlemagne THE EVENT: * Reported that the first wine vines in New Zealand (planted by British missionaries from Australia) were looking good. * Planted a muscat. * Was first to call aged port wine "tawny." * Ordered planting of the Riesling on what is still one of the best sites on the Rhine River (on the north shore, where sunlight is reflected off the river to warm the slopes). * Banned the growing of the varietal that today makes the hugely popular Beaujolais including Beaujolais Nouveau ... the gamay grape. THE ANSWERS: * Noah – muscat * Dickens – tawny * Duke of Burgundy – gamay * Darwin – New Zealand * Charlemagne – Riesling And a Final Wine Smile Ouch! I saw this review of a book I liked: The book – Wine for Dummies. The review – "It is." Fred McMillin was voted one of the U.S.A.'s 22 best wine writers by the Academy of Wine Communications. If questions, phone him at (415) 563-5712.

Last Updated ( Friday, 17 March 2006 )