2013 Blue Plate rosé, Lodi

We've done quite well with the wines from Picnic Wine Company over the past year or so, particularly the Chenin Blanc, their first commercial release. Later additions to their line up included a Grenache and a Grenache rosé. Today we got a sneak peek at their 2013 rose; scheduled for release later this spring.

Unlike the 2012 rosé which was 100% Grenache, the 2013 Picnic Wine Company Blue Plate rosé, Lodi is a blend of Grenache and an unspecified amount of the obscure Flora grape. A genetic cross between Gewürztraminer and Semillon, Flora delivers a distinct floral spiciness on the nose as well as a mouth-coating waxiness on the palate. From what I understand, Schramsberg and Picnic Wine Company are the only two wineries who get fruit from the one vineyard still planted to Flora in California. Combined with the crushed raspberry and herb of the Grenache, this blend produces a stunning dry rosé with wonderful acidity and an long, minerally finish. I really can't wait to get this one in the warehouse and then get it circulating throughout Kansas! Quite a nice little summer sipper for $12, this should accompany all forms of salads, cold seafood and light pasta dishes as well as a sunset on the back porch.

Disclaimer: I am the wholesaler for Picnic Wine Company in the State of Kansas.

2011 Groundwork Grenache

Been working hard and selling lots of wine as of late. After listening to all the nay-sayers tell us that January was going to be a horrible month, it turned out to be pretty damn good. In fact, our gross sales in January were about the same as November and December. Granted, we put a lot of wine on sale in January so our net might not be as good as it was late last year, but we certainly didn't mail it in like others suggested we do. So I've mostly been drinking leftover bottles of wines I've tasted on retailers and restauranteurs. As well as a lot of new samples from wineries that I'm not at liberty to reveal yet. But when my wife told me she bought some salmon for dinner tonight, I thought it would be a good reason excuse to pick up a bottle of red.

The wines of Sans Liege are relatively new to the Kansas market. I saw them start to pop up here last summer or so. I actually wanted to bring them into the Amphora (now StemTime) fold at one time, but I was a little scared off by some of the higher price point wines. They have since signed on with another distributor here who has a done a good job in placing them throughout the market.

Tonight's bottle of 2011 Sans Liege Groundwork Grenache, Central Coast has a rather transparent color; much lighter than the Grenaches I'm used to seeing from Paso Robles and Santa Barbara. Offers up some nice strawberry, tart cherry, licorice and cola notes on the nose; most of which follow through on the palate. Tart and tannic in the mouth, I was hoping for a little more richness here. Long, acidic, tart red fruit on the finish with just a hint of charred oak. Overall, I wasn't terribly disappointed by this wine, but I wasn't thrilled, either. Normally priced at $20, I'm glad I only paid $14 for it at one of my retail accounts. Although it was a bit tart and acidic on its own, it paired quite nicely with tonight's broiled salmon with mashed sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus with Parmesan cheese. If you're tempted to try one of these, I would definitely recommend it with food.