“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your
life”. Omar Khayyam
PERHAPS THE BEST RECOMMENDATION I’LL EVER MAKE Is that you
don’t let summer expire before trying this wine (“Celita’s Vino Blanco) from
Fenn Valley Vineyards. The winery’s own
literature refers to it as being modeled after Portugal’s Vinho Verde, though I
somewhat disagree with the comparison.
Like Vinho Verde, Celita’s Vino Blanco is young wine. Like Vinho Verde, it is crisp and tangy
fresh, light and refreshing. Like many a
Vinho Verde, Fenn Valley’s “Celita’s Vino Blanco” is slightly spritzy. And like Vinho Verde from the Minho region in
northwest Portugal (the coolest and wettest region in Portugal), growing
conditions in Fennville (a sub-ava within the Lake Michigan shore AVA) shares
some similarities. Fennville too is advantaged by its proximity to a large body
of water as is the Minho region in Portugal. But you won’t find a drop of Alvarinho,
Arinto, Avesso, Azal, Batoca, Loueiro or any of the other grapes permitted in
the production of Vinho Verde. What
you’ll find is Seyval. And I like it better. And I’ve had gallons and gallons of Seyval
over the years. But what Fenn Valley
does with it in this rendition is amazing.
Apparently,
I’m late catching on to this. Celita’sVino Verde from Fenn Valley Vineyards won Silver at the 2015 Indy International
Wine Competition. Where have I been? Maybe wrapped up in stodgy
traditionalism. The wine comes in cans,
after all. And Seyval is a
French-American hybrid, not of the vitis
vinifera prestige. Then again, it’s
what’s in the glass (or in this case: the can) that counts. I’ve already said
it’s crisp and tangy fresh, light and refreshing. Let me add that the nose is light and offers
a hint of green herb. On the palate,
expect to enjoy refreshing lemon-lime and just a whisper of pear that balances and
softens it all. And it’s made even more
refreshing with a gentle touch of carbonation.
I
panel tested this wine with three other tasters. People liked that it was
available in aluminum cans. Chills
quickly. Lightweight. No breakage. Perfect at the boat yard or pool (where
glass may not be permitted) or at summer outdoor concerts and picnics. Convenient in the cooler. Recyclable. Another
taster particularly enjoyed the slight effervescence in the wine. I poured my contents into a glass (said I was
a stodgy traditionalist) but even I could appreciate the convenience of having
it available in cans. Another
appreciated that it was dry but not drying; instead crisp and light and a
perfect summer wine.
Less
grassy than Sauvignon Blanc, people compare Seyval to Chenin Blanc, Chablis and
even unoaked Chardonnay. Among the other
statements I keep repeating here is that I’ve had gallons and gallons of Seyval
over the decades. Comparisons can be
misleading. Seyval can be made dry to
dessert sweet and as a sparkling wine also.
Different producers make different styles. You may enjoy one over the other.
FennValley’s style (for Celita’s Vino Blanco) is unique and eminently enjoyable for
me. In the winery’s own literature, they
state it “is a fun wine, not to be taken seriously.” I would (again) disagree. Poured in a glass,
I defy anyone to know it came from a can or deny the wine credit on its own. Grapes are intentionally picked about two
weeks early of ripeness making for juice that becomes wine with exquisite
acidity in cool climate Michigan yet is balanced and delightful. Then again, sometimes just really good is just
that: really good with no apology necessary. There are moments, as Omar Khayyam
suggests, that need simply to be enjoyed. These moments that are your
life. A wine that doesn’t require you to
abandon all else and ponder deeply upon producing a treatise for your Master of
Wine post nominal. Just fun. This wine is that. Don’t be embarrassed for liking it, because
you will.
Cheers!
……………
Jim
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TECH SPECS & OTHER INFO:
Fenn Valley Vineyards
6130 122nd Ave, Fennville, MI 49408
ALC: 10.5% (11.75%)
TA: 7g/L
pH 3.16
R.S. 1.22% (12.2 g/L)
PRICE: $14.99 for a 4-pack of cans
$9 for a 750 ml bottle (still wine)
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