2021 Wood Family Vineyards Grenache – One Delightfully Spicy Wine
The Winery and Background
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Wood Family Vineyards, located in eastern Livermore Valley, with Rhonda Wood owner & winemaker, has been producing award winning wines for over two decades. You can read more on her background from airline pilot to award winning winemaker at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2016/02/10/wood-family-vineyards-2/
and
Her awards are extensive and too numerous to list here in this article.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Had not tasted Wood Family Vineyards Grenache in years and was I surprised!! First on the eyes, a mesmerizing radiant purple hue that was semi-translucent. On the nose, aromas of bright Bing cherries and exotic tropical spicy notes wafted into the senses. On the palate, is where this “lightly colored” wine packs a world-class punch. Besides the cherries, strawberries coated in powder sugar wakes up the mouth. Secondary flavors of cinnamon and vanilla rounded out the tasting experience. On the finish, a surprisingly welcomed amount of tannins resided on the back of the throat with a hint of herbal sage. A complete and fulfilling Grenache was presented sip after sip. 167 cases were produced and it will be released soon. Aged 18 months in neutral French barrels.
The Food and Wine Pairing “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired with a BBQ’d chicken breast with Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbeque Sauce, this was a sensational pairing. The fruit flavors of the wine paired with BBQ chicken were complimentary. The spiciness of the wine and the sweetness of the sauce provided a wonderful dining experience. First time pairing a red wine with chicken and it turned out so well. Accompanied by sautéed summer squash & zucchini, a Yukon Gold potato and a fresh garden salad.
Sláinte,
Michael
July 15, 2023 at 10:49 am
Thank you Michael! Stay cool today.