Terra d’Oro California Italians

The California wine industry was founded by Spanish settlers in the 16th and 17th century but it was really given its kick start in 1933 with the end of the alcohol restrictive 18th amendment. Many of the original Italian settlers in the grape growing districts stayed in business during that period by growing other fruits and vegetables. When the chance came to jump back into the wine making business they took it. Names sprang up that became synonymous with wine such as Ernest & Julio Gallo, Louis Martini, Krug (owned by the Mondavi family), Christian Brothers, Trinchero and too many more to mention here. Most of these vineyards produce some wines that stay true to their Italian ancestry, one among them is Trinchero with their Terra d’Oro (land of gold) line of wines.
Terra d’Oro 2011 Pinot Grigio ($12). It would not be a column about Italian wines if there wasn’t a Pinot Grigio mentioned. The grape may be of Italian origin but this wine has California written all over it. This is one of the finest Pinot Grigio’s that we have tasted from this vintage. The aroma is soft, flowery and very intense stressing Bosc pear, white peach and citrus. The flavor is the same, fruity and very pleasant with a good acid background as is the finish.
Terra d’Oro 2010 Sangiovese ($18) Sangiovese is the grape that made Chianti famous. This American Sangiovese is a classically styled wine that encompasses all of the traditional Italian aromas and flavors but in a California incarnation i.e. with plenty of fruit. The aroma is a feast of dark cherry clove, mocha, and hints of vanilla while the flavor heads in a different direction by accenting blackberries and plums, pepper and cinnamon finishing with a blast of fruit. Here is a wine that is worth every penny of its price … and more.
Terra d’Oro 2010 Barbera ($18). Barbera has always been one of Terra d’Oro keynote varieties and this offering shows why. The wine presents a forward cherry and berry aroma with a positive oak background and a slight spiciness. The flavor presents cherry, cola and spice ending an equally fruity finish. This is a glorious wine that can accompany any spicy meat dish and is a standout in a back yard barbecue situation.
Terra d’Oro 2010 Amador Zinfandel ($18). Zinfandel, Italian? It was once believed to be an American grape, born and bred right here in the good ‘ole US of A. Nobody knows when the Zinfandel grape arrived on our shores but DNA testing has proven that the grape is a close relative to the very Italian Primitivo grape; thus, it can be considered an Italian grape, Q.E.D. Since the grape is Italian, the Terra d’Oro winemakers reverted to the Italian style of winemaking to make this wine and thus endow it with an Italian personality.
Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port ($). It seems a bit ridiculous; a California grown grape claiming Italian ancestry being made into a Portuguese style wine that is favored by the British, made by an American winemaker. Ridiculous or not, it is so. If you are unfamiliar with Port, it is a fortified wine that has had some brandy added to it to end fermentation early by killing the yeast while bringing the alcohol level up to about 18%. This wine proudly displays all of the charms of the Zinfandel grape while remaining true to the port wine tradition and displays the aromas of sugared berry fruit, dates, chocolate, caramel and orange peel. The flavor concentrates on raisin, cocoa, coffee and toffee which trail of to a long and luxurious finish. This is a wine that is built to accompany desert, no matter if it is cheeses, berry pie, chocolate or for that matter any of the sweet deserts. If you are a Port aficionado you will find this wine a new and novel experience. If you are however, a novice to Port, you are in for a delightful and memorable experience.