There’s plenty of Do’s in Paso Robles Wine Country: Do dress casually, do have a great conversation with the winemaker, do dine on farm fresh cuisine while you’re here. Truly, there are very few “don’ts” in this friendly wine region. Here, you’ll never find velvet ropes, long lines or (gasp) traffic. That said, there are a handful of pitfalls to avoid. Master these 5 Paso Robles wine pet peeves and maximize your tasting experience. Plus, you’ll totally look like a local! That’s definitely a “do.”
1. Don’t: Over-chill your whites
Robert Hall’s 2018 Cavern Select Vermentino is crisp and refreshing, with sumptuous notes of citrus blossom and peach with only 233 cases produced (very little Vermintino is planted in the US, this is a treasure!). It would be nothing less than a crime to over-chill such a beguiling white. Pair deliciously with Tacos, Seafood (salmon, crab, octopus), prosciutto wrapped melon, Cheese (Ricotta, Goat Cheese, Feta).
For a 2 for 1 Wine Tasting Coupon click here
2. Do: Reuse your glass
Water in California—and Paso Robles—is a precious resource, indeed. We’d never ask you to go from an inky petite sirah to a light, bright viognier without adding a splash of wine (never water) to the glass to rinse it out. However, switching glasses over and over again means more washing for the tasting room and (sadly) lots of wasted H20. Ask your tasting room attendant to swish out your glass with a touch wine (the next wine you are about to taste – never water) in lieu of a new glass and always taste from lightest to darkest. It’s just common sense, but a little thought can go a long way.
Jada Vineyard is proud of its biodynamic farming practices, which respect the web of life and ensure that water conservation is a top priority. Taste the winery’s incredible estate wines, like their 2016 Passing By Cabernet Sauvignon with fantastic hints of candied flowers, red and blackcurrant and cherry-vanilla flavors. It’s such a stand-out wine that Vinous awarded this wine 93 points and Jeb Dunnuck 91 points!
3. Don’t: Send back sediment
A little grit in the glass never killed anyone. We promise! If you’re weirded out by floating particles in your wine, now is the time to reconsider why. Sediment—small particles leftover from the winemaking process—are common in natural wines, and they certainly don’t indicate low quality. No, it’s not dirt leftover at the bottom of that bottle of syrah. These floaters are simply yeast cells, grape solids (stems, seeds, skin) and tartrates (tartaric acid crystals). In fact, many winemakers cheers to the dregs, as all of these elements (sediment and all) are part and parcel of the process. Just be sure to check your teeth before heading out to the next tasting room.
Austin Hope 2015 Grenache, with round smooth tannins, fruity dried cherry flavors and hint of smokiness, the Grenache is a refined beast. This sustainably farmed, natural red is good to the very last drop—tartaric acids and all.
The 2015 Grenache goodness started in the Hope Family Vineyard, located just 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean in the Templeton Gap district of Paso Robles. The site’s rocky soils of clay and limestone make it ideal for the Rhône varieties to which it is planted – Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Roussanne. With high-density planting, the vines are carefully managed to keep cluster counts low, resulting in fruit with great intensity and rich berry flavors…exactly as we like it.
For a 2 for 1 Wine Tasting Coupon click here
4. Don’t: Fret over ice cubes (on a really hot day)
But didn’t we say not to over-chill your whites? Yes, we did say that. However, when Paso Robles temperatures soar into 100-degree days, even the finest local winemaker is known to plunk a few cubes into his or her glass while hanging around at home (also, frozé—basically a rose slushy—has become a major trend). Sure, a handful of ice will water down the wine—and we’re not saying you should make a habit of tossing cubes into your glass at every occasion. However, no one in Paso Robles is going to shun you for cooling your drink down quickly, especially if you’re on a picnic, outdoor event or at a pool party where the ice bucket has melted too soon. Too timid to try? Keep these newfangled “ice” cubes on-hand in the freezer. The plastic cubes never melt; plus, they’re reusable.
5. Do: Decide on a Designated Driver Ahead of Time
Oops! We’ve all been guilty of putting off this super important detail until the last moment. With so much to plan, it can be easy to think “someone” will come to mind. Instead of pulling straws among your friends, hire a professional who knows the terrain. You’ll experience Paso Robles wine country with all the knowledge of a local. Plus, when you hire a driver, you can hit multiple tasting rooms along a particular wine trail, like the wineries of Highway 46 East, home of Allegretto Vineyards and Wine, Bodega de Edgar, Eberle Winery, Lusso Della Terra, Rails Nap, Robert Hall Winery, Villa-San Juliette, Mystic Hills and more. This should really be one of the first items you plan on your next Paso Robles Wine vacation!
For these wineries’ Wine Tasting Coupons click here
This blog is written by flavor fiend Hayley Cain. Follow her @flavorslo on Instagram or at astoldbyhayley.com.
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