Winemaker Fred Scherrer discusses how different levels of alcohol affect Pinot Noir, and how he perceives alcohol in wine. This question was supplied by Steven Rigisich of Pinot Days.
Author: Judi Scherrer
What affect do wood barrels have on Pinot Noir?
Winemaker Fred Scherrer discusses how wood influences Pinot Noir. This question came from Steven Rigisich of Pinot Days.
Pinot Noir: The Russian River Valley vs. Sonoma Coast
Winemaker Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery discusses the terroir of the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast Appellations in California, and talks about how the two can taste different.
Blended Pinot Noirs vs. Vineyard Designates: Is one better than the other?
Pinot Noir producer Fred Scherrer discusses the difference between blends of Pinot Noir and Vineyard designates in response to a question from Steven Rigisich of Pinot Days. Fred goes on to discuss how he decides to blend or label a wine as a vineyard designate.
What should I eat with Pinot Noir?
Winemaker Fred Scherrer talks about why Pinot Noir is easy to pair with food and gives a few examples of what he likes to eat with Pinot. This is one of a series of questions asked by Steven Rigisich of Pinot Days.
Another Drop in the Bucket
This marks my thirtieth vintage at a commercial winery. It seems like a larger number than it feels, but I did the math three times and got the same answer, so it must be true. The thinning of the hair on top as well as the increasing gray in what remains provides supporting evidence of this. Fortunately, these years of experience made 2008 a fairly easy vintage to deal with those curve balls that nature threw in this year.
Deliciousness
When asked about when to consume a given bottle, I have often said that ‘as long as the wine gives pleasure, it succeeds, so drink it when it tastes good to you.’ But the notion of deliciousness seems so implicit in the evaluation of wine to me that I also forget to discuss it in my own type of propaganda.
Happy St. Patricks Day
As you have probably noticed, we tend to adjust release dates of our wines according to their developmental needs rather than simply following an annual schedule. This re-shuffling of mailing list releases to match bottling schedules, shipping weather windows, etc. have yielded an embarrassment of riches with this release. It is the result of fine-tuning sources, advances in technique and better understanding the consequences of choices made during the growing season and vinification… probably a good dose of luck factors in as well. One of my favorite sayings is that ‘it is better to be lucky than good.’
Gimme a Break!
Our low tech newsletter got a much needed face lift with a look that mirrors the more elegant brand image. And just as the new label didn’t change what’s in the bottle, the format changes won’t change the content of the newsletter – it will just be more appealing to the eye.
The Price of Freedom…
…the choices we make and their long-term consequences have moved to a more prominent position in my own thoughts. I reflect on my self-employment, the creative freedom it allows and the cost as it exacts time from my kids. These reflections inspired me to look back at the wineryhistory…particularly for the many of you who are relatively new to us.