America's Oldest Winemaking Family Shares How Pinot Noir Came to California.MODESTO, Calif. -- Pinot Noir: Life Before the Movie "Sideways" Sales of premium Pinot Noir year to date are up 41 percent versus year ago(1), thanks in part to the Oscar-winning movie "Sideways'" ode to this high-maintenance grape. Many California winemakers are thrilled that the movie has finally given Pinot Noir the attention it deserves, especially the Mirassou family, who introduced the varietal to California in the 1800s. "When Pinot Noir is done well, there's nothing like it," said sixth generation David Mirassou of Mirassou Winery The Mirassou Winery founded in 1854 by Pierre Mirassou had been a long standing icon of the agricultural heritage of the Santa Clara Valley, in what is now known as California's "Silicon Valley." The name "Mirassou" was purchased by wine industry giant Gallo in 2003. . "Aromas of spice mingle with bright cherry flavors, creating a smooth medium-bodied wine that is incredibly versatile for pairing with food. It's so rewarding and worth the extra effort working with this elegant and finicky fin·ick·y adj. fin·ick·i·er, fin·ick·i·est Insisting capriciously on getting just what one wants; difficult to please; fastidious: a finicky eater. grape." In 1854, David Mirassou's great-great-great grandfather Pierre introduced Pinot Noir to Santa Clara Santa Clara, city, Cuba Santa Clara (sän`tä klä`rä), city (1994 est. pop. 217,000), capital of Villa Clara prov., central Cuba. County by planting his prized grape cuttings he'd brought from his native France. It took some creative thinking to survive the journey. When the captain told Pierre he could no longer use up water for his grapes, Pierre negotiated to buy the ship's entire supply of potatoes. By inserting the grape cuttings into the potatoes to keep them moist, he was able to keep the grapes alive, and become the first to import the classic French varietal. Pinot Noir is the "diva" of wine grape varieties This is a list of varieties of cultivated grapes, whether used for wine, or eating as a Table grape, fresh or dried (raisin, currant, sultana). Single species grapes While some of the grapes in this section are hybrids, they are hybridized within a single species (for example, because it only makes great wine in a handful of places around the world. In the early 1960s, the Mirassous became the first to plant a major vineyard in Monterey County. They chose this region because of its cool climate and longer growing season growing season, period during which plant growth takes place. In temperate climates the growing season is limited by seasonal changes in temperature and is defined as the period between the last killing frost of spring and the first killing frost of autumn, at which , which was remarkably similar to the finest wine regions of France France is divided into 26 regions or régions (in French), of which 21 are in continental metropolitan France, one is the island of Corsica, and four lie overseas. Régions in mainland France are further subdivided in between 1 and 8 départements. . Today, Monterey is recognized as one of the world's great growing areas for Pinot Noir. Mirassou Winery recently released its 2003 Monterey County Pinot Noir. It displays intense fruit flavors of cherry and plum balanced with delicate floral notes and hints of smoke, and is a bright reflection of the family's heritage as the pioneer of California Pinot Noir. The Mirassous continue to take pleasure in crafting this smooth and elegant varietal, and look forward to contributing another 150 years to the American wine American wine production in the United States wine has existed for over 300 years. Today wine production exist in all fifty states, with California leading the way in wine production followed by Washington State, Oregon and New York.[1]. industry. (1) (C)Information Resources Incorporated, TTL (1) (Time To Live) A parameter in a network packet that sets a time limit to its validity. In order to prevent an IP packet from propagating endlessly through the network, the value in the TTL field is reduced by each router. US FD&DG, Vol Sales % Chg YA, YTD See Year-to-date. YTD See year to date (YTD). wks ending 2/20/05, TTL Premium Pinot Noir The Mirassou family has been growing grapes and crafting superior wines since 1854, earning them the proud distinction of being America's oldest winemaking family. The family has always been known as innovators - introducing Pinot Noir to California and pioneering commercial grapevines in Monterey County. Today, David Mirassou of the sixth generation carries on the legacy for Mirassou Winery, dedicated to continuing the family's more than 150 years of excellence in winemaking. To obtain historical images or wine samples or to interview David Mirassou, contact Melinda McRae at 916.492.5331. |
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