Woodbridge/Mondavi

[lizardbrains]

I've been looking forward to having a red wine collage that I bought when IK, Mrs. IK, and I went wine tasting in Temecula. When we tasted it, all I could think of was a nice thick steak!

So, last night my husband BBQed that steak, and we popped open the collage. It tasted good, but didn't mesh as coherently as I thought it would. THEN we opened a bottle that my non-wine-drinking husband bought (with a little of input from his some-wine-drinking friend), and it tasted FANTASTIC with the steak!!!!!!!!! I just don't get it?! It was a Woodbridge, Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon. It was wonderful!

Anyways, the reason I'm sharing this with all of you is I'm wondering why "Mondavi" was on the bottle with "Woodbridge". I thought they were different producers. Any ideas?

P.S. IK, a few nights ago Jeff and I had the chardonnay you got for us. Thank you! It was great! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[winoweenie]

Hi LB and since IK mite be off-n-about, I'll answer the question. Woodbridge is Mondavis label for his " Fighting Varietals ". This is made from fruit from the Central Valley and generally comes from his holdings around San Luis Obispo.Lots of production that gets lots of wine out there in the under 10 buck area.WW

[Innkeeper]

Here, and not about. LB you and Jeff are very welcome. The Tobin James Radiance Chadonnay is one of the few American chards I can stomach these days, even though they now subject it to a touch of oak. You and the board have some pictures coming.

[lizardbrains]

Okay, so let me see if I understand this. All Woodbridge wine is made my Mondavi? (Though not all Mondavi wine is Woodbridge?) Is it just a cheaper quality of Mondavi? I'm trying to figure out "fighting varietals". Is "fighting" as in "they're not great, so they're fighting for survival" or "they're so great they fight everyone off"?

P.S. IK, the pictures turned out great! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[Kcwhippet]

LB,

Woodbridge is a town near Lodi and most of the grapes that go into Mondavi's Woodbridge label are sourced from that area. Actually the address for the winery itself is in nearby Acampo. I guess Woodbridge sounds better, because Acampo might sound like one of Gallo's many little labels, like Amapuna (sp?).

[Innkeeper]

Woodbridge is a brand. It is Mondavi's first line. After that comes Mondavi Coastal. After that it gets confusing as there are Mondavi brands from Italy, France, South American, and Oz. Eventually you get to their premium brands, Mondavi Napa Valley and Reserve. Probably left some out.

[zenda2]

"Fighting varietals" is wine-speak for lower priced but decent wine made by 'big wineries' from the main grape varieties (the ones that even beginners have heard of). Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, etc...

These 'fighting varietals' are different from blended wines, which is what the big wineries used to make with the grapes grown in the same space where they now grow this valley merlot and zin. They've replaced a lot of the old jugwine 'mixing' grapes with these noble 'varietals'.

Just between us, I miss a few of the old inexpensive well made blended wines but overall this trend has benefitted the average joe/jane. For instance, Mondavi used to produce a blend of Italian grapes labeled 'BOCCE Rosso' that was a heckuva buy, reminded me of a decent chianti for $5 or so. But Woodbridge Zinfandel at $6 is a really tasty replacement.

P.S. I believe they're 'fighting' for marketshare.


[This message has been edited by zenda2 (edited 04-08-2002).]

[lizardbrains]

You guys are so great! Now I completely understand!!! Thank you.

[Innkeeper]

1997 Maurice Carrie, Temecula, Collage ($12.95). They claim this was only the third version they've been able to make in 13 years, with grapes that meet their "standards." It is 62% cabernet franc, and 38% petite sirah. We picked this up as did LB as the "least worst" wine we tasted at the winery. It's a pretty good example of you get what you pay for.

Popped it tonight with some spicy burgers. It showed very little on the nose (62% franc!!!!). Showed some mild fruit upfront, and little across the palate (no pepper with 38% PS!!!!), and no finish. Sometimes you just screw up. The Woodbridge Cabernet would have been much prefered, and I wouldn't have had to haul it back from California.