The SOMM Journal

February / March 2018

Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/935769

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 70 of 92

70 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 { appellation narration } The Big B urgundy is not simple to understand, yet it behooves the wine profes- sional to know the differences between a Musigny and a Mercurey or Meursault vs. Mâconnais—both in terms of terroir and sensory ramifications. Why should regions like California's Russian River Valley be any dif- ferent? In recent years, it's become increasingly clear to growers and winemakers in the 160,000-acre Russian River Valley AVA that there are significant climatic and topographical differences in the appella- tion's sub-areas, which are now being referred to as "neighborhoods." The necessity of this shift—stemming from a research-driven initia- tive started by the Russian River Valley Winegrowers organization in 2013—lies in the fact that each of these sub-areas manifests distinct sensory qualities in their Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Hence, the creation of the five Russian River Valley Neighborhoods: Middle Reach, Laguna Ridge, Santa Rosa Plain, Sebastopol Hills, and Green Valley. Read on for the skinny on these neighborhoods, explored in order from north to south. FIVE Big FIVE Big B FIVE B THE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION DELINEATES FIVE DISTINCTIVE "NEIGHBORHOODS" WITHIN THE AVA story and photos by RANDY CAPAROSO

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The SOMM Journal - February / March 2018