Big House Bootlegger White Blend 2008
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Big House wines are a rebellious mix of nontraditional grape varieties destined to givethe imbiber a new experience. This year'stipple is reminiscent of the Franco-Italianbattle for the '06 FIFA World Cup. Theflamboyant Italians represented by Malvasiaand Muscat Canelli and the much moreaustere and serious French led by Viognier and Rousanne.
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Continues the solid trend of this label producing some of the best values in California. Dry, crisp and delicious, with mineralinfused flavors of oranges, honeysuckle and buttered toast. A blend of Malvasia Bianca, Muscat Canelli, Viognier and Roussanne.
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2009-
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Prohibition shook America’s foundation. It turned men into mobsters, drove ladies to lawlessness and transformed bootleggers into heroes. Big House wines are inspired by these bootleggers who helped bring Prohibition to an end and paid their dues in the Big House. Established in 1990 in Monterey County California, Big House Wine Co. receives its namesake due to the close proximity to the Soledad Correctional Facility, A.K.A. “The Big House.” Their wines are crafted to deliver a fruit-forward style with an unrestrained full-mouth character that is big, bold and unapologetic. Just like their wines, the bootleggers of the roaring ’20s had big personalities, bold character and a rebellious spirit. And now, nearly a century after the start of the Prohibition Era, Big House Wine Co. pays homage to the giants of the era with wines that live up to their legend.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
The largest and perhaps most varied of California’s wine-growing regions, the Central Coast produces a good majority of the state's wine. This vast California wine district stretches from San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara along the coast, and reaches inland nearly all the way to the Central Valley.
Encompassing an extremely diverse array of climates, soil types and wine styles, it contains many smaller sub-AVAs, including San Francisco Bay, Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley.
While the Central Coast California wine region could probably support almost any major grape varietiy, it is famous for a few Central Coast reds and whites. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are among the major ones. The Central Coast is home to many of the state's small, artisanal wineries crafting unique, high-quality wines, as well as larger producers also making exceptional wines.