Thursday, June 14, 2007

Que Sera, Sirah

Petite Sirah or Durif was recently confirmed by researchers at UC Davis as a true offspring of the Syrah grape. It is prized for it's deep color and intense tannins and has long been used for blending in "Burgundy" styles wines. The vines are sturdy and long-lived and thrive in a wide variety of soil types. It is a prolific producer of tight grape clusters that can be prone to rot in damp conditions. Over 3,200 acres are planted in California where the grape ripens in midseason under optimal conditions.

The 2005 Bogle Petite Sirah has a slightly smoky black pepper flavor that was a home run with the grilled chicken, bacon and swiss ciabatta we enjoyed on Monday.