Two from J. Lohr

[wondersofwine]

These were open for tasting Saturday at Grapes and Hops. I'm not recommending them although the second one was somewhat interesting.

2007 J. Lohr Riesling, Monterey County (unless I got the vintage mixed up and this was the 2008)
Semi-sweet. Not my type.

2008 J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguie' Arroyo Seco, CA (unless this was the 2007)
Bright purple color like Easter egg dye. Flowery aroma. Unusual flavor. I looked up the Valdiguie' grape on the Internet and learned that it is most often found in Languedoc-Rousillon and also known as Gros Auxerrois in France. Typical fruit descriptors are raspberry, strawberry, cherry. Typical aroma descriptors are violets and rose petals.
Wikipedia says that it is a high yielding vine that is farily resistant to oidium (powdery mildew.) Valdiguie' produces dark-colored wines that are low in alcohol. The wines tend to be of light to medium body and are frequently made in a style similar to the true Gamay of Beaujolais. Some producers (such as J. Lohr) utilize carbonic maceration in order to produce a wine with a deep, purple-red color and fruity taste, with flavors of berries and black cherry. Valdiguie' in France has a reputation as a workhorse variety grown to attract grants from the European Union, who promptly turned it into industrial alcohol.