What I Drank Last Week from the Pip Wine Shop

Groundwork, Counoise, 2018

Greetings from home. I hope you all are well and staying safe. As promised, here are some wine notes on a Rhone varietal most typically used for blending but made into a delightful single varietal by a fellow in Paso Robles named Curt Schalchlin. I met Curt about 4 years ago when I was managing a small wine bar in Walnut Creek. We would have food and wine pairing events and invite the winemaker to share his wine and story.

Curt is not a traditional winemaker in the sense that he owns a vineyard and makes wine from the grapes he grows. He is a Field Manager and tends vineyards in Paso Robles and the Santa Ynez Valley. He then buys small lots of Rhone varietals that tempt his winemaking skills.

The varietal I chose was Groundwork Counoise, the 2018vintage. Primarily grown in France, but also some good plantings here in California and Washington state. Counoise notoriety comes from its use in Chateauneuf-du- Pape.

The 2018 vintage of this Counoise is a clear ruby red with a slightly peppery nose. It was fresh and crisp on the palate with rhubarb, cherry and dried cranberry. The wine was light plus body and slightly dry at the end of the finish. Alcohol was 12.5% BV. The grapes were sourced from the Central Coast, Rancho Arroyo Grande vineyard.

Visit The Pip Wine Shop and pick up a bottle for $19.00. You better hurry, though. Unfortunately, Curt only made 350 cases of the 2018 and is now sold out. 

Cheers,

Jaque