Fogarty Monterey County Gewurztraminer 2006
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After considering several options (including Kiwi farming), Dr Fogarty was convinced by some older Stanford physicians to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the lean soil of the cool untested northern Santa Cruz Mountains. As he learned about grape growing and winemaking he was introduced to a number of people recommended to him as experts. Among this group was Michael Martella. Martella, a fourth generation grape grower, impressed with his knowledge and his down-to-earth approach to the entire process of wine growing, from the vineyard to the bottle.
Michael became the first employee of Thomas Fogarty Winery in 1979 and directed the winery for almost thirty years, developing the vineyards and the wine. Martella’s practical knowledge and hard work along with Fogarty’s business instincts and “Midas touch” built, over nearly forty years, what we have today.
Gewürztraminer, an expressive and aromatically distinctive white grape variety, is considered a noble variety in the Alsace region of France, and produces wonderful wines in the mountainous Alto Adige region of NE Italy. Generally this grape grows well in cooler regions and its natural intensity makes it a great ally for flavorful cuisine such as Indian, Middle Eastern or Moroccan. Somm Secret—Because of a charming perfume and tendency towards slight sweetness, Gewürztraminer makes for an excellent gateway wine for those who love sweet wines but want to venture into the realm of drier whites.
A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.