Spring Releases ~ Succulento & Arinto
Help us pop the cork on Andis Wines first ever Charmat-method sparkling wine ~ A Brut Rosé of Barbera. Join us for the tasting celebration along with the release of our latest Arinto on Saturday, April 8th.
Our Italian partner, Lorenzo Muslia, coined the name Succulento, which in Italian means 'juicy and delectable' ~ like biting into a red delicious apple.
This inaugural sparkling wine follows up with notes of tart cherry. A combination of 30% barrel aging and partial malolactic fermentation creates warm toasty notes on the finish. The bubbles, created naturally in the traditional Charmat style, are soft on the palate. This sparkling drinks like a French Rosé. Pair with decadent foods from lobster to caviar.
From Master Class
Because Charmat method sparkling wines are bottled directly after secondary fermentation without additional aging, the wines have a fresh fruit character. This makes the Charmat method ideal for wines made from aromatic grape varieties like moscato and riesling. The technique will help retain the grapes’ aromas more than the traditional method, which introduces more nutty, toasty flavors from aging on the wine’s lees (dead yeast cells from fermentation).
Wines carbonated via the Charmat method have two to four atmospheres of pressure, which means that they have softer carbonation than wines made in the traditional method (which have five to seven atmospheres of pressure). Charmat method wines are filtered, so there is never any sediment in the bottle and the wines are crystal clear.
Arinto - Portuguese varietal often used in Vinho Verde (Portuguese white wine blend)
Our co-founder, Andy Friendlander, has been a fan of Vinho Verde for years and was seeking a way to produce it at Andis. Long time friend, Darrell Corti, suggested planting Arinto, one of the six varietals commonly blended in Vinho Verde.
As fate would have it, avid travelers and foodies, George and Wendy Rab, decided to retire in Amador County and purchased property just down the road from Andis Wines. Vinho Verde fans themselves, the Rabs were easily persuaded to plant Arinto on the rocky ridge of their property.
Now known as the Ionian Vineyard, their entire two acre vineyard is dedicated to planting and growing Arinto exclusively for Andis Wines. You can often spot Andy and the Rabs enjoying a glass of Andis Arinto on the winery patio.
A foodies ultimate dream white wine. Bone dry, Arinto’s bright acidity and pops of citrus pair perfectly with richer seafood, scallops, lobster or fresh pasta in cream sauce.
Fun Facts
From Wine Folly, “Arinto: Also called “Pederna,” it is arguably Portugal’s finest white grape. Expect juicy melon and citrus with some bitter notes on the finish. Great examples can age 7+ years!”
Arinto grows in a naturally hilly region in Northern Portugal similar to the terrain of the Sierra Foothills.
Join us as we taste both these wines on April 8th with Cousins Maine Lobster from 11am to 4pm.