A Comparative Tasting of Coro Mendocino
August 30, 2009 (Sun)
from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
San Francisco, ca
Event Details
Wine OR Wine & Food
At the beginning of the decade a group of Mendocino winemakers determined they needed a unified voice and a new standard of excellence to showcase the unique flavors of Mendocino County. And thus, in the winter of 2001, the first U.S. consortium of its kind to develop a protocol for wine from a specific region was born; the concept is not unlike Italy's Chianti or Spain's Rioja."Coro" is Spanish and Italian for "chorus," reflecting the collaborative spirit of Mendocino's winemakers.
The Coro program has set limits on the types of varietals used and how much of each can be used. The blend is Zinfandel-based: each wine is to comprise 40 to 70 percent of the blend. Second-tier varietals can include Barbera, Carignane, Charbono, Grenache, Dolcetto, Primitivo, Petite Sirah and Syrah. There is one restriction: No second-tier varietal can exceed the percentage of Zinfandel. However, the winemaker can use any variety he chooses for up to 10 percent of the wine. The alcohol levels are not to exceed 16 percent. The final selection of wines comes only after a series of blind tasting by peer winemakers.
The wines all have a suggested retail price of $37.
Each of the wines (no two have the same combination of varieties) shows a personal style based on the terroir where the different grapes are grown. To be able to taste the wines side by side is a very special treat, since the association doesn't usually encourage such a comparison.
More of the specifics on the
Protocol and bylaws can found here: http://www.coromendocino.com
Also this article: http://www.truemendocinowine.com
The wineries that met the rigorous standards for the current 2006 release are: Brutocao, Dunnewood, Fetzer, Golden, Graziano, McDowell, McFadden, McNab Ridge, Pacific Star, Parducci, and Philo Ridge.
This is a sit down blind tasting with light cuisine. The results will be posted on our blog. One of the participating winemakers will travel down to discuss this exceptional venture and lead the tasting.
Capacity is limited for these tastings. Fee: $35 Those who prepay receive a $10 discount.If the content of this posting is questionable, please flag it.
