NORIA Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014
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Nakamura Cellars was formed in 2010 to produce NORIA wines that can compliment wide range of foods, not only the ones that are indigenous to wine producing regions but also the ones that are not normally served with wine such as Asian cuisine, especially Japanese foods. NORIA wines source particular grapes/clones from specific regions to achieve this goal (see wines for detail information).
NORIA means a water wheel in Spanish, which represents positive elements of life such as water, nature, flow, and energy. To them, these elements are also found to describe wine. Wine is indispensable for us to celebrate our special occasions, just like big fireworks. For these reasons, the white dots on the NORIA label expresses water splash as well as fireworks.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.