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Rioja style from central CA valley grapes?

Has anyone here tried blending central CA valley Valdepena (aka Tempranillo) and Grenache? In the last 2 crushes of central valley fruit, the varieties that stood out as the best to me were the Tempranillo (2002) and Grenache (2003). And my recollection is that previous posts to this ng suggested that these two are amongst the best varieties for the central valley.

It occurred to me this morning that the two might go really well together, but unfortunately I don't have any Grenache left to try blending even a small amount (it all went into my GSR "Rhone Style" blend). Then I read in a book that the Rioja wines are generally grenache/tempranillo blends. I'm *really* wishing I'd saved even a litre or two of my Grenache so that I could blend it with some of the Tempranillo I have bottled.

This blend will definitely be at the top of my list to try in the future!

Cheers, Richard

Reply to
Richard Kovach
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I can tonight, I have both in my cellar from 2002. I made the Grenache in very light style though, it is more Rose than red on purpose. I'll get back to you, I have more than enough for an experiment.

I have made both in the past and always liked them unblended, so you surely won't go wrong with either as far as I am concerned. The Grenache has a great 'perfumey' quality that can't go wrong in any blend.

I'm not sure most Rioja's are blended. I thought they made most of them from straight Tempranillo. I do hear central valley 'Valdapena' is Tempranillo though I can't be sure of that. Rioja's are always a great value, I can't figure that one out.

Regards, Joe

Reply to
Joe Sallustio

Richard, I did try blending both of those from 2002 at 50/50 and think mine were better seperate. Remember my Grenache was made in a very light fruity style though. I think both make great wine. The Valdepena overpowered the Grenache in this blend, but that is what I expected. I would follow through next year and blend post fermentation if I were you, you can't go wrong with either of these. The Grenache was made in a Rose style, it does not keep well at all. It matures in about a year and is fading at 2. That year in between is all we care about though, it's a pretty unique wine... Regards, Joe

Reply to
Joe Sallustio

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