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Writer's pictureThe Bluebird. A Midtown Eatery.

June is officially Idaho wine month, for those who are members of our wine club we found some great wines from right here in Idaho. Watch out-Idaho is doing some pretty great things right now. Before prohibition threw a monkey wrench in the system, Idaho was on track for serious wine production. We border two amazing wine growing regions, it's nice to be part of all the action. We will be featuring two tasty selections for a while, both of them from Cinder winery in Garden City (NW of Boise).


Did you know that Idaho had grapes planted way before Washington and Oregon? Two French and one German immigrant were responsible for the first grapes planted in Idaho, way before Washington and Oregon. Before prohibition gutted the Idaho wine industry, Idaho was producing award winning wines. Prohibition in Idaho lasted from 1916 to 1933, the damage was done. Fast forward 40+ years, grapes were planted again in what is now know as the Snake River AVA (American Viticultural Area). It wasn't until 2007 that the Snake River AVA was recognized. Idaho vintners insist that southern Idaho has ideal growing conditions-four distinct seasons, the cold winters are conducive to allowing the vines to go dormant to prepare for the coming season, and the winters help with the bugs. Warm summer days and cool nights helps balance acids and sugars.

Idaho is in its infancy in the wine world. Boy is that changing fast. In 2008, there were 38 wineries in Idaho, currently there are more than 60 wineries with over 1,300 acres planted. I can only imagine that winemakers and growers are still learning as they go, in the meantime I hope they continue to produce great wine.

We have a couple of wines right now on special that I think are amazing representations of what Idaho can do. The wines come from our friends at Cinder. CINDERWINES.COM

Melaine Krause and Joe Schnerr are the masterminds behind this winery. The Cinder name and label design are inspired by the volcanic soils of the Snake River Valley. A little after we opened our first restaurant syringasushi.com, they were pretty much going door-to-door and sold us wine. Way before they had a local rep to sell their wine. It has been really exciting to see the evolution of their wines. I was even more excited to taste through the line-up with Joe recently and discover they have been busy with making some really unique varietals.

The first wine we are featuring is the 2022 Verdejo.(verr-day-ho). This varietal is normally grown in Spain in a dry hot climate, aaaand now it's grown in Snake River Valley AVA Emerald Slope. (Technically speaking the vineyards are just across the Snake River in Adrian, OR, but made in Idaho.) This wine won a Gold Medal in the 14th annual Idaho Wine Competition, recently and for good reason. This light bodied white, is a refreshingly different wine wine. If you are a fan of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris give this baby a try. Right off the bat floral notes and peaches lure you in, on the palette its medium body has hints of lime and the finish has plenty of acid but it is so nicely balanced it just keeps you coming back for more.

Try the Cinder Verdejo with our Salmon dish (King Salmon, mushroom risotto, grilled asparagus and miso butter.) Pairs perfectly with a hot summer day on the patio.


Our next wine is the 2021 Cinder Rosé of Grenache. This wine screams summer days on patio. Some winemakers might not appreciate the term "porch pounder" but with the recent weather and long winter we've had, the thought of cold Rosé on a hot day....yes please.


 

"Like choosing your wardrobe for the day, sometimes when choosing your wine, it's best to check the weather. We find this Rosé of Grenache, like a woman's beautiful sundress or a gentleman's dapper Panama hat, is best enjoyed in the sun. Remember, as long as you can see the sun, a Rosé fits perfectly. -Joe Schnerr, Founder


 

I've been on a Grenache kick lately, so this wine just makes me happy. This wine starts out with ripe summer strawberry aromas on the nose and slight hint of green pepper on the voluptuous pallet 🤤 This wine is perfect for any one of our small plates.







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Writer's pictureThe Bluebird. A Midtown Eatery.



Remember back in February we had France month. There was a map of the 42° parallel and France and Washington were on the same line. I had to check with Rioja and the Snake River AVA. Rioja is on the 42° and Lewis and Clark AVA is on the 46°. Pretty darn close. Tasting the two Tempranillos side by side was educational. This months Peacock selection is the 2018 Macán Clásico, 100% Tempranillo.

Vega Sicilia has been a winery a little longer than Idaho has been a state. It was founded in 1864 and was planted with various grapes(Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) from the Bordeaux region of France-some of which are being used in the wines today. About 10 years ago Vega Sicilia and Benjamin de Rothschild began acquisitioning multiple vineyard plots from small farmers. They quietly built up about 120 hectares, whiting the village of San Vincente. They purchased only the best terroir and deep-rooted Tempranillo vines with ages ranging from 25-80 years old.

Wine Enthusiast (97 points) called it a: "dark garnet-colored wine has a nose of black currant, raspberry and milk chocolate. {I completely agree with the raspberry and milk chocolate} "Deep fruit flavors of cassis and dark plums fill the mouth, joined by notes of cocoa powder, tobacco leaf and espresso bean." Needless to say this wine is layered and very complex. Robert Parker chimed in with a 94-point review and called it "one of the finest vintages for this wine."

This wine, I suspect has good aging potential, but you could probably crack this on a random weekday night without too many regrets.




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Writer's pictureThe Bluebird. A Midtown Eatery.

I've mentioned probably a couple of time how exciting it is to be on the sideline of Idaho's wine scene. What's pretty cool is I've been one the side lines watching Cinder winery evolve. Way, way, way back in the early days of Syringa, 15+ years ago. Joe Schnerr and Melanie Krause went pretty much door to door selling their wine. They came into Syringa and sold us on their wine, working hard ever since, they have made a name for themselves and the Snake River Valley AVA.

Melanie grew up in Boise, studied agriculture at WSU and worked in the vineyard for Cht. St. Michelle. It was about 2006 when they made the move. At the time, Joe was working as a chemist......


...I'm working on a conspiracy theory that chemists make the best wine makers. In my research of the past couple months, I've noticed a theme. Joe with Cinder. I didn't mention it but Mike Pearson with Colter's Creek was an electrical engineer turned chemist, Wynne Peterson-Nedry with Ridgecrest Wines, chemist. Its definitely NOT a bad thing, just something I've noticed. Now back to your regularly scheduled blog...


It was probably 2008-2009 when they came into Syringa. I remember being excited back then that Idaho was making wines/had a wine scene. Since then they went through a couple of different wine rep locally, they've landed on great representation now and I was able to sit down with my rep and Joe and taste through their line up. Have I mentioned what an exciting time is in Idaho for wine right now. Ok my heart is about ready to explode.


This is from an a tri-fold brochure, maybe from the 40's/50's, with more than several fun facts on Idaho. The above passage is the back page. I saved this because of the syringa and bluebird pictures, but scored a reminder of why I live here.

Whoa I've really digressed. How about the Sapphire selections for June? Let's start with the White. I think if I didn't know anything about The Bluebird and stumbled in and decided to join the wine club I would join the Sapphire for white wines. Imma be honest this is the level with the least subscribers. I'm ok with that, 😔 Don't worry though, if my guilt trip worked I ordered extra bottles this month, so you'll can imbibe this baby on the patio.


The Cinder 2021 Dry Viognier, I'm going to let Melanie talk about this wine,


If you get wine from this level of the wine club I already know you have good taste 😉, but since you all appreciate white wine you probably know that not all Viognier's have to by rich and syrupy. This wine is so beautiful layered, there are tropical hints hit right up front, mango flavors exploded on my pallet, followed by juicy peach. The comes around and knock you out for lots of acid on the finish, it finished kind of hot, 13.5% but it a full bodied white with lots of complex flavors. So glad this wine is out there representing Idaho.


I had a really hard time picking between the reds with this level too. Ultimately I tried to get something that you might not be able to get unless you visited their tasting room in Garden City. Then it came down to can I get it?, and do I want to do Another Tempranillo for June re:Indigo Red and Peacock level. After factoring in all that I pretty much went with my heart. I went with the Cinder 2020 Malbec, when I tried it I remember thinking "Damn, this is from Idaho?" I recently tasted through a cadre of Paul Hobbs wines and tasted Uh-maz-ing Malbecs from Argentina and France, places that have been doing wine for longer than Idaho has been a state! Then there's this little Malbec from the Emerald Slope and Sawtooth vineyards in the Snake River AVA. There were elegant layers of exotic teas, and layer of rich dark fruit and woodsy vanilla tones. I'm finishing this up right around dinner time and I am starving thinking about all the good food to eat with this wine. The winemakers like grilled brats and scalloped potatoes with this wine. I was thinking the Bad Dad Burger, or better yet the 32 oz. Tomahawk.

This is it for Idaho wines, we'll maybe not. I'm trying to line up some Verdejo from Cinder, yah I said Verdejo. Cinder bringing a little Spain to your backyard. We should be getting a case this week 🤗...it's so good. I would love to get feedback in the comments below of your thoughts on Idaho wine.



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