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Wine Details
Price:
$18.00 per bottle
Description:
52% Viognier – 48% Roussanne. The most unique white wine in Washington is the 2003 Columbia Valley Snapdragon.The Snapdragon replaces the 2002 Dragonfly. We had to change the name to avoid a trademark issue with Far Niente Winery who owns the trademark for ‘Dragonfly’. Viognier and Roussanne are both native to the Rhone Valley of France and are developing a great tradition in Washington State. The Viognier adds the Pineapple and Asian pear flavors, where the Roussanne adds Mangos, Nutmeg, and Orange Spice Tea. All Viognier grapes were pressed ‘whole cluster’ (no crushing or destemming). The Roussanne grapes were foot stomped for ½ an hour then pressed. Foot stomping of the Roussanne increases flavor extraction. We do not foot stomp Viognier so as to avoid extracting bitterness from the Viognier skin. All the white juice was fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. The Snapdragon has flavors of Pineapple, Mango, Asian pear, Nutmeg, and Orange Spice Tea. Wonderful acidity makes the Snapdragon a perfect match for Thai, Asian Fusion, gumbo, oysters, scallops, and shrimp on the barbecue! Snapdragon tastes drier than the 2002 Dragonfly but has more richness and a longer finish.
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Varietal Definition
Roussanne:
Also known as Bergeron in the french Savoie region. Semi-classic grape grown in the Hermitage-Rhone and southern Cotes du Rhone region of France. Still occasionally incorporated into white wine blends, (e.g: with the Marsanne grape wine), because of its acidity and aroma but finding less and less favor.
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Viognier:
The most acclaimed white wine grape from France's Rhône Valley, Viognier is a highly aromatic varietal, with a flavor profile that could include peach, apricot, nectarine, lichee, musk and flower blossom. The heady perfume of this varietal is one of its trademarks, although its flavors are sometimes problematic in matching with food. However, it does well with lobster, crab and moderately flavored fish. Use it as an apéritif as an alternative to Chardonnay. The "Rhône Rangers" in California have done an excellent job promoting this varietal.
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