TERRE ROUGE, 2007 Roussanne, Sierra Foothills

TERRE ROUGE is located in the Sierra Nevada area of Northern California. They're a perfect pair for the girl & the fig since they use sustainable farming practices for their vineyards, and use solar panels located on the roof of the winery building for most of their electrical power.

From the website: "'TERRE ROUGE' means "Red Earth". This vermillion-colored soil is one of the hallmarks of our region. Our vineyards are in soils that are largely granite and volcanic-based. The TERRE ROUGE portfolio is composed of wines made from Rhone varietals grown in the rugged and varying terroirs of this region: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne. High elevation sites up to 3200' contribute to the complexity of our wines. Our winemaker, Bill Easton, puts his family name, EASTON, on our non-Rhone varietal wines. The wines are crafted from varietals new to the Sierra Foothills: Grenache Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc."

Tasting Notes:

This Roussanne is straw gold in color with quince, honey-nut, and beeswax aromas and rich, silky mouth feel.

Winemaking Notes:

This grape is planted with a clone of the Roussane grape that originates from a Chave family parcel on the hill at Hermitage. It is a difficult variety to grow, as it ripens unevenly, so it must be harvested selectively (not all at the same time). Unfortunately it is also susceptible to powdery mildew. The fruit in 2007 was fully rip at harvest in mid-September, resulting in class Roussanne characteristics. 

Sebastiani, 2009 Roussanne, Carneros.

Sourced from the ranch affectionately known as "Green Acres" in Carneros, this Roussanne was conceived as Sebastiani's best attempt to make a White Rhone style. Because of the lighter soils and the judicious use of crop thinning, they were able to tame it into making a more refreshing, earthier style of white wine. Roussanne is an important grape for both White Chateauneuf du Pape and producing the famed "White Hermitage" wines from Northern Rhone Valley. Here, Sebastiani is expressing a California Rhone style wine by planting in the Carneros climate. The fog and wind of Carneros mimics that of the mistral in the Southern Rhone Valley, though if you have ever spoken with someone who has lived through a few mistrals, they'd be sure to tell you that nothing is as bone chilling as that wind. 

From the website, "Sebastiani's first century in Sonoma winemaking began when Samuele emigrated from the Tuscany region of Italy in 1895... He worked long hours and saved carefully to buy land in Sonoma County, from which he could make wine for the Sonoma community and San Francisco's restaurants. The winery was the only one in Sonoma County to continue operations through Prohibition, making a small amount of sacramental and medicinal wines. It has been joked, and perhaps with some grain of truth, that during this time there was a resurgence of people's becoming very religious... Shortly after Samuele's death in 144, his son, August, and August's wife Sylvia purchased the winery from the estate and began the expansion of the facilities and the product line, adding new varietal wines and proprietary blends... Today, Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery advances its record of acclaim under the guidance of vintner and entrepreneur Bill Foley, who acquired the winery in 2008. As part of Foley Family Wines, Sebastiani will maintain its commitment to producing singular wines from the appellations of Sonoma County." 

Tasting Notes: 

This Roussanne is a pale straw color. It has complex citrus fruits of white peach and white grapefruit, with hints of green apple and white pepper. The acidity is balanced due to no malo-lactic, and is cold fermented to preserve the fruity aromas and flavors. Pair this wonderful white wine on a warm summer day with roasted vegetables or frito misto. 

Vintage: 2009

Wine Type: White Wine

Varietal: Roussanne

Appellation: Carneros

PH: 3.48

Alcohol %: 14.2