san louis obispo

Review: 2013 Wolff Vineyards Dry Riesling

May 1, 2015 • 0 Comments

I’m a big fan of Wolff Vineyards, especially their 2013 Dry Riesling. This Alsatian style riesling is fruity, flowery and cool, but still is able to warm the mouth and give you that mouthwatering feel. Or maybe that’s just me drooling over this insanely good white?

The dry riesling is lemony and goes right to your head, so get ready to feel that summery buzz. Just as good as the 2012.

I forgot to snap a pic, but check out my Instagram for photos of other wines 🙂
Nuts and Bolts

Winery: Wolff Vineyards
Type: Dry Riesling
Origin: Edna Valley
Price: $21
Alcohol content: 13.6%
When to drink: On a hot summer day.

Review: 2011 Tangent Grenache Blanc

July 4, 2014 • 0 Comments

This wine comes from a sister label of Baileyana. I reviewed their Pinot Noir after my friend gave me a whole case of it post-work party.

I went to Baileyana’s Winery in San Luis Obispo with some friends after visiting Wolff Vineyards. Wolff was so much better by leaps and bounds. They brought you your pastings out on the patio and you could bring cheese and they even complimented me on my cheese choice (the Toscano soaked in Syrah from Trader Joe’s all day, everyday)! But at Baileyana’s it was hard enough to get anyone to notice you, and honestly the pours weren’t that stellar.

I bought the 2011 Tangent Grenache Blanc because on sale, it was about the same price as the tasting and if you bought a bottle, Baileyana waives the fee. So there you have it.

I opened up this screw top bottle of this straw yellow white wine and got a whiff of a grassy smell mixed in with citrus. In addition to the zest on the nose, it’s crisp in the mouth with a bit of bubbly acidity. It can be a bit sour and that citrus smell returns at the end, but the flavor quickly gets flabby by the finish.

Grenache Blanc is an interesting varietal and its seen more in Europe than in California. It tends to be blended with other whites, rather than standing on its own. It’s cousin, Grenache Noir, is certainly more well-known.

Nuts & Bolts:

Winery: Tangent
Type: Grenache Blanc
Origin: San Luis Obispo
Vintage: 2011
Price: $10 on sale
Alcohol content: 14.5%
When to drink: I don’t think I’d recommend this wine on its own. If you want a good stand-alone Grenache Blanc, try the 2012 Epiphany Cellars Grenache Blanc.

Review: 2012 Wolff Vineyards Dry Riesling

May 17, 2014 • 0 Comments

When I think riesling, I think flowers, apricot, honey and sweet, sweet, sweet.

Not this one.

Wolff Vineyards’ riesling is made in the Alsatian-style, which leads to a drier, brighter taste. Alsace lies on the border of France and Germany and the dry riesling from that region tends to be super sweet, have high acidity–which gives it that bubbly feeling–and not too flabby since the moderate alcohol levels give it some structure, like a corset of sorts.

This cloudy yellow wine smells like peach and pineapple and has a crisp bite. It’s fruity, but it’s got a kick which makes it not too sweet. It’s perfect for Thai food, which I had with it last night. All the windows were open to cool down our 85 degree apartment on a hot summer night and the quiet breeze was a perfect complement to the wine.

I found my way to Wolff Vineyards in San Louis Obispo with some girlfriends. We did a road trip in my Mini Cooper–yes four women and all our stuff fit in my Misha, believe me I’m as surprised as you are. A friend from work suggested we hit up Wolff Vineyards when we went wine tasting and I’m glad she did!

The tastings were $8 and you can sit out on the patio, BYOC (bring your own cheese), and serve the pours al fresco. Surrounded by hills, valleys and vines, you may also get a visit from a black lab named Daisy, who belongs to the winery owners.

Nuts and Bolts

Winery: Wolff Vineyards
Type: Dry Riesling
Origin: Central Coast
Vintage: 2012
Price: $21
Alcohol content: 13.8%
When to drink: On a hot summer night! It’s refreshing!