“Drink wine, and
you will sleep well. Sleep, and you will not sin. Avoid sin, and you will be
saved. Ergo, drink wine and be
saved.” ……. Medieval
German saying
From Lodi (see map)
California, comes “Petite-Petit” red wine; a blend of 85% Petite Sirah (not to
be confused with Syrah/Shiraz) and 15% Petite Verdot. Lodi is an AVA (American Viticultural Area)
akin to the Italian DOG/DOGC or French AOC, and is located within the larger
Central Valley region. Although Lodi is
about seventy miles east of the coast (San Francisco Bay), its rivers provide
it with a more Mediterranean climate than might be expected.
Petite Sirah (aka Durif) is a
black skinned grape and this comes through in the glass by the wine showing as
dark purple. Petite Verdot is often used
in blending the magnificent wines of Bordeaux, though in a smaller percentage.
It is unfruity, offers earthy tastes and is also dark in color. Each of these
varietals is available as a stand-alone and are (for me) excellent “winter
wines” offering a chewy full bodyness that goes well with the heavier dishes of
cold weather.
Looking at Petite Petit in the
glass, one anticipates a bold, teeth staining dry wine. But the nose instead
reminded me of chocolate covered blueberries, with emphasis on the blueberry.
The taste is fruit-rich with jammy plum and blueberry, a hint of sweetness from
the fruit. I would prefer more acidity
for a crisp finish, but know that many people will enjoy the fruit and softness of the wine,
particularly newer wine drinkers. Aerate
the wine in your mouth while making a sucking sound (OK, do this alone) and the
blueberry pops. Michael David winery ages the wine for 16 months in French Oak
which smoothes the edges of Sirah and you should expect to taste some vanilla because
of this, though I didn’t find it out of balance. “Petite Petit” (for me) had a
short finish that fell off quickly with a slight taste of black pepper spice; a
contribution I suspect from the Petite Verdot, and a very slight hint of earth. 
This is not a complex wine
that has layers of flavor, or has tastes that develop and progress and change significantly
in the mouth. But given that it is
commonly available and at under $17, is easy drinking and “backyard food
friendly,” it offers good value. It’s
often described as a wine that goes well with pizza, but I see it as a better
accompaniment to baby back ribs thickly sauced.
I poured this wine at an
event. People liked it, told others, and
they appeared asking for “the elephant wine.” From my experience, its best advertisers were
people who had already tasted and liked the wine. Michael David also makes (I
was asked) “7 Deadly Zins” (a Zinfandel blend with Petite Sirah) as well as
“Gluttony,” “Sloth” and “Rage,” and other wines with names and labels that
apparently capture peoples’ attention. I’ve
always been more motivated by what is inside the bottle. But judging from the
reaction of people at the tasting, Michael David seems to have a thorough understanding
of the American market
Cheers!
………………… Jim
** Follow me on facebook for tips on wine
& food pairings, Facebook.com/winemizer
Tech Specs for Petite Petit
Ph: 3.54
Alc: 14.5%
TA (total acidity): 0.59
Robert Parker 87
Points, Oct 2012
Michael
David Winery
http://www.michaeldavidwinery.com/
4580
West Highway 12
Lodi CA
95242
Tel:
209-368-5801
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