Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Union Sacre Dry Riesling has notes of pear, granny smith apple, citrus, and lilies.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Very dry, with scents of lemon blossom and bee pollen, this has a racy palate driven by lime and lime zest flavors, ending austerely with a whiff of petrol. Pair at the raw bar.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2021 Union Sacre Wines Dry Riesling is aromatic and bright with a sturdy palate presence. TASTING NOTES: This wine excels with aromas and flavors of smashed apples and light floral notes. Pair it with a seafood stew. (Tasted: August 15, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.