What Makes Certain Wines So Popular?
This month’s top picks from the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center
complied by MICHAEL PERRY
The Lodi Wine and Visitor Center carries over 150 different wines from 80 wineries in the Lodi Appellation. Each day, customers come in, ask for, and purchase certain wines even if the wines are not available for tasting. These wines represent some of the top selling wines at the Visitor Center and clearly satisfy a set of criteria that consumers look for. So what is it about these wines that keeps people coming back for more and keeps them in the top seller category?
- Quality: First and foremost, a wine must be well-made and taste good.
- Availability: The wine has to be available for purchase and not just at the Visitor Center, but in the marketplace.
- Value: The wine is fairly priced.
- Consistency: Consumers do not like surprises, when they select these wines they are confident they will get the wine they remember.
- Package: While not critical, a nice looking wine label and bottle package helps.
- A Story: Consumers like to relate to the winery.
Klinker Brick 2007 “Old Vine” Zinfandel
Klinker Brick Zinfandel is a Lodi classic. Aromas and flavors influenced by jammy fruit and a hint of sweetness up front are followed by a long, spicy oak finish. Klinker Brick Zinfandel has a nice mouth feel, rich, with a hint of tannin to add complexity. This wine is well balanced, fairly priced, consistently good, and available in the market place. ($18) www.klinkerbrickwinery.com
Macchia 2008 Mischievous “Old Vine” Zinfandel
Macchia is well known as a consistent producer of high quality Zinfandel. Each of Macchia’s wines has a name, an adjective ending in “ous” including Generous, Oblivious, and Outrageous. Mischievous has bright berry aromas complimented by smoky oak and a hint of spice. While not as viscous as Klinker Brick, it is smooth and well balanced with a lingering bright berry and spice finish. Fairly priced, readily available, and consistently good are the hallmarks of Macchia Mischievous. ($18) www.macchiawines.com
Peltier Station 2007 Viognier
This wine is popular because it offers tastes and flavors that everyone can relate to. Peltier Station Viognier has a pleasant floral aroma augmented by citrus and mineral. It has a clean, fruity, and slightly sweet taste with the right amount of acidity to keep everything in balance. A safe bet for just about anyone, this wine is fairly priced and readily available. ($15) www.peltierstation.com
Mettler Family Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
You will not find high quality Cabernet Sauvignon this good, at this price point, very often. Layers of flavors starting with dark cherry, chocolate, and oak are enhanced by medium body, soft mature tannins, and a long finish of smoky oak and red and black cherry fruit. This Cabernet Sauvignon will age for several years but is very approachable when bottled. Mettler Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent value, very well made, and consistent year in, year out. ($22)
www.mettlerwine.com
For more information: Visit the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center, and taste from a selection of over two hundred award-winning Lodi wines. 2545 W. Turner Rd., Lodi, (209) 367-4727, www.lodiwine.com
