As the merry month of May is just around the corner, along with the warmer weather that comes with it, we turn more toward white and Rosé wines. Birichino makes a delicious blush wine called Vin Gris that’s sure to lift one’s spirits—something very much needed right now.
“Like the ideal Provencal Rosé,” say Birichino owners John Locke and Alex Krause, “our Vin Gris allies the suggestion of citrus, rosehip, orchard fruits and violet pastilles with the enigmatic imprint of garrigues—the wild herbs which aromatize the Provençal countryside.” An intricate blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle and Mourvèdre, the 2019 Vin Gris “enlivens many a savory dish.”
“The most relevant distinguishing traits of the 2019 are a dramatically increased percentage of old vine fruit,” say Locke and Krause, “specifically Mourvèdre derived principally from a dry-farmed vineyard planted at the end of the 19th century.”
A beautiful salmon pink wine with a delicate minerality, rich berry flavors and an aromatic herbaceous border, the Vin Gris is a delicious bargain at $17, and it comes with an easy-to-open screw cap.
Although tasting rooms are closed, wine is still available for pickup at most places. Birichino’s tasting room is smack in the center of downtown Santa Cruz, so when you’re picking up your dinner-to-go from one of the many downtown restaurants, you might as well stop at Birichino for some good wine to pair with it. They have a fine array of different wines to choose from. And right now they’re doing a six-bottle pack of different spring wines for $140 with ground shipping included.
Birichino Winery, 204 Church St., Santa Cruz. 831-425-4811. birichino.com.
Continuing Support For Local Wineries
Pelican Ranch in Scotts Valley is doing a Corona Wine Case—select three or more from their list and they offer free local delivery. Big Basin has an ongoing promotion of 10% off online orders. Silver Mountain has Spring Shelter Specials—a mixed case of fine wines for $198. Bottle Jack is partnering with Lago di Como Ristorante for advance food purchase and pickup at the Westside tasting room on Saturdays.
Check out our continually updating list of local takeout and delivery options.
