Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1011938
{ SOMMjournal.com } 101 pairings. One red selected to represent the New World was Chris Skinner's high-elevation Grenache from the El Dorado Hills' Fair Play sub-AVA: The fruit for this medium-bodied wine is grown on granitic soils, so most of its emphasis can be found on the mid-palate with more restrained fruit. Bonny Doon's 2017 Clos de Gilroy, meanwhile, utilizes Grenache from Alta Loma Vineyard in the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County, as well as Rancho Solo outside Soledad, California. The wine was characterized by Grahm as "the Pinot Noir consumers are seeking—they just haven't discovered it yet." "Garnacha con - veys a message," Ballesteros Torres added. "It's a long-season variety, and I question why producers are wasting the gift of a long, dry growing season on Pinot Noir." Next from Down Under in McLaren Vale came a Yangarra 2014 High Sands Grenache, which weighed in with firmer tannins and deep, black fruit while possess - ing enough acidity to keep things fresh. Ballesteros Torres' observation about aerobic winemaking was evident in the savory orange-zest and brown-spice flavors of the iconic Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe, a Grenache-dominant wine that includes Syrah and Mourvèdre. With an average age of 70 years, the vines grow on the stony plateau of La Crau in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. With global interest in the variety clearly on the rise, Ballesteros Torres' par ting words signaled a note of caution: "Don't flood the world with Garnacha—think of its origins and plant wisely." The summit concluded with a dramatic blind tasting; sponsored by The SOMM Journal, it was led by Global Wine Editor Deborah Parker Wong and SommFoun - dation Director James Lechner. After 30 tasters doggedly attempted to identify the country of origin of six wines, Jay O'Leary from Jay's-Wine-Stop and Susan Meyer of St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery prevailed—winning $1,000 and $500, respectively. When asked how he had differentiated the wines, O'Leary said the noticeably different levels of acidity helped steer him in the right direction. THE CARIÑENA CONTINGENT A prestigious group of wine producers from Cariñena, Spain, attended the Global Garnacha Summit: In fact, The SOMM Jour - nal's alliance with these producers was the impetus for the conference. SommFoundation Director James Lechner and SOMM Journal Global Wine Editor Deborah Parker Wong lead a blind tasting at the summit. Pictured from left to right: Diego Pinedo of Bodegas Paniza; Pedro Fatas of Bodegas San Valero; Bob Bath, MS, Professor of Wine and Beverage Studies at the CIA at Copia; Jose Luis Campos of DOP Cariñena; Pedro Ballesteros Torres, MW; and Antonio Ubide, Ricky Ventura, and Head Winemaker Marcelos Morales of Grandes Vinos.