Lodi’s stunning diversity of grape varieties, terroir, authenticity, and approachability means there’s something for everyone…from the casual wine drinker to the wine enthusiast!  

If you know anything about the Lodi AVA, then you probably know that Lodi is the self-proclaimed Zinfandel Capital of the World.   Sure Zinfandel is Lodi’s calling card, but with over 100 grape varieties being grown in the AVA, there is much more to Lodi than Zinfandel.

I had the chance to participate in Snooth’s latest virtual tasting entitled “Take A Sip of Lodi” (click here for a video of the tasting).  The tasting featured six wines which were decidedly not Zinfandel to underscore not only the region’s stunning diversity of grape varieties, but also its stylistic diversity.  Lodi produces everything from more nuanced, elegant and restrained wines to big, bold and hedonistic wines,  and everything in between.

Disclosure: The wines were provided as media samples. No other compensation was involved, and  all opinions expressed my own.

Wines Tasted

It is estimated that roughly 93% of Northern California Appellations are planted to only nine grape varieties.   The remaining seven percent home are hundreds of lesser known grape varieties.  The wines provided for the tasting included many of those lesser know grape varieties such as Aglianico, Bourboulenc, Cabernet Franc, Carignane, Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc  ; Pinotage, and Vermentino.

You’ll find my tasting notes and a few pairings below:

Acquiesce Winery is Lodi’s only dedicated white wine winery. They make premium, food-friendly, white wines and rosés from estate grown wine grapes.

2018 Acquiesce Ingenue – Lodi Rule Certified Green|Blend of 35% Grenache Blanc;35% Clairette Blanche; 20% Bourboulenc; and 10% Picpoul|13% abv| SRP – $32
Color – Very pale straw
Aromas – Aromatic and appealing, redolent with tropical fruit, ripe white peach and melon with honeysuckle and a bit of wet stone
Body – Medium-bodied and dry with medium-acidity
Taste – Pineapple, guava, ripe white peach, mixed citrus(lime, Mandarin orange, lemon zest, and honey nicely accented with a hint of minerality
Finish – Medium

The newest addition to Acquiesce’s portfolio of wine.  And an outstanding addition it is!

m2 Wines “creates small-lot, artisanal wines that express the character of the vineyards we source and the nuance of their fruit”.

2018 M2 Vintners Vermentino – Lodi Rule Certified Green|100% Vermentino| 12.5% abv|SRP – $20
Color – Very pale straw
Aromas – Citrus blossom and lime with hints of almond and spice
Body – Light-bodied, lean and dry with mouth-watering acidity
Taste – Key lime, nectarine, Mandarin orange and spice
Finish – Medium

One taste of  this delightful fresh, crisp wine had me thinking of pairing it with fish tacos!

LangeTwins is a fifth generation winery that handcrafts wines from sustainably grown wine grapes. 

2018 LangeTwins Aglianico Rosé – Lodi Rules Certified Green|100% Aglianico|13% abv| SRP – $20
Color – Pink with a salmon hue
Aromas – Wild strawberry, dried Morello cherries, wet clay and a hint of savory spice
Body – Medium-bodied, fresh and focused with ample but dryish fruit
Taste – Strawberry Jolly Rancher, sour cherry, and savory spice
Finish – Medium

A distinctive and delicious rose that is very food friendly.

Mettler Family Vineyards is another multi-generation Lodi wine grower that has been growing grapes for over 100 years.  They are stewards of the land with organically farmed winegrowing estate and their ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah which are the signatures of family pride.

2016 Mettler Family Vineyards Pinotage – 100% Pinotage|14.9% abv|SRP – $25
Color – Opaque purple
Aromas – Enticing cherry, plum, licorice and a bit of smoke
Body – Medium-bodied,and moderately fresh with a supple texture
Taste – Red cherry, raspberry, plum, black licorice, vanilla, mocha and spice
Finish – Medium

An enticing  wine that I would love to pair with barbecue!

Prie Winery is a small family owned and operated winery focused on small lot, unique single vineyard designates and the occasional “stunning blend”. 

2016 Prie Vineyards Carignane Ancient Vine Spenker Ranch Vineyards – 100% Old Vine Carignane from Block 4 of Spenker Vineyards; aged 18 months in new and neutral French Oak|14.4% abv|SRP – $29
Color – Translucent Ruby
Aromas – Brambly red fruit, dried herb, sandalwood and a hint of leather
Body – Medium-bodied with bright acidity, dusty tannins and very appealing texture
Taste – Cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and leather
Finish – Medium

One of my favorite wines of the tasting, this old vine wine is very appealing.

The eponymous Michael-David Winery founded by brothers Michael and David Phillips, is yet another multi-generational family  who have been growing grapes in Lodi for 150 years. With 650 acres of premium wine grape, they are probably Lodi’s most well-known winery.

2016 Michael-David Vineyards Cabernet Franc Inkblot – Lodi Rule Green Certified|100% Cab Franc aged for 16 month in 65% neutral oak, and 35% new French oak|15% abv| SRP – $35
Color – Opaque inky purple
Aromas – Blackberry, blueberry, smoke, mocha and white pepper with hint of balsamic.
Body – Full-bodied, fruity and fresh with chewy sweet tannins
Taste – Blackberry, black currant, blueberry, black raspberry, mocha, and a hint of roast bell pepper
Finish – Medium

Robust, fruit-forward and delicious, this wine was a great pairing for Pan Seared Boneless Rib-Eye!

My takeaway from the tasting?

Lodi’s stunning diversity of grape varieties, terroir, authenticity, and approachability means there’s something for everyone…from the casual wine drinker to the wine enthusiast!

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