Page 8 - Grapevine SeptOct 2021
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In The Winery
Olde Tradition Spice after the famous Chateauneuf du Pape reds made
from Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah.
Another favorite is Cuvee Papou, which includes
Mulling Spice Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne. The
for Wine name “Papou” is Greek for grandpa and honors
in Tea Bags! Demetria’s founder John Zahoudanis, a grandfather
who passed away in 2020. Demetria also releases a
sparkling version of the Cuvee, produced at Rack &
Riddle in Healdsburg, California. “We really like the
sparkling wine,” Zahoudanis said, “but it’s not our
forte. It’s too time-consuming. We might as well
“A great way give our grapes to folks who know how to make it.”
to spice your Demetria has recently begun producing a wine
wine on a from the Rhône grape Picpoul, which is gaining
8 Bags in Attractive Box, chilly day!” traction among wine aficionados all over the world.
24 Boxes Per Case.
Beton Blanc (beton means “concrete white” in
Olde Tradition Spice is the perfect addi- French) is 95% Picpoul Blanc and 5% Assyrtiko and
tion for your tasting room and gift shop! is aged and fermented in concrete eggs. “Concrete
The tea bags are all natural with no sugar. is a neutral vessel, so you don’t get flavors like
Olde Tradition Spice - Contact Us Today! you do from oak barrels,” Zahoudanis said. “But
800-977-1117 because it’s semi-porous, you do get oxygenation,
www.oldetraditionspice.com which enhances the minerality that already exists in
a lot of varietals.”
connoisseur, but for the everyday wine lover that According to Zahoudanis, wine can be made
lives in all of us.” quickly in concrete eggs: the Beton Blanc is ready
five months after harvest and can be bottled by
Demetria has achieved that goal. Its wines—and February.
its beautiful Mediterranean-style winery with
panoramic views of the vine-covered hills— Currently, Demetria makes 6,000 to 9,000 cases of
have received enthusiastic reviews from critics wine annually. “We can’t plant more because we’re
and everyday consumers alike. Recent awards limited by geographical constraints,” Zahoudanis
include 2016 Rosé – “Year’s Best Rosé! Wine & said. “We sell some of our fruit, so we could scale
Spirits Magazine; 2014 “Cuvee Sandra” Pinot that back and produce 10,000 cases, but generally,
Noir – 94 points, Wine Enthusiast and 93 points, we’re good where we’re at(sic).”
Wine Spectator; 2014 “North Slope” Syrah, 91 Zahoudanis does envision planting more
points, Wine Enthusiast; 2013 Estate Chardonnay
(Santa Barbara County) – 93 points, Vinous; and Tempranillo, a grape that’s doing exceptionally
2013 “Cuvee Matia” Grenache – 91 points, Wine well on his property. Whatever he endeavors to do,
Advocate. if the past is prologue, the future looks very bright
for Demetria Estate. “We’re just glorified farmers,”
Even with a barrel full of awards, Demetria is he said. “We’re beholden to Mother Nature, and
not resting on its laurels. Since establishing the yes, winemaking requires knowledge and art, but
Demetria Estate, the family has been changing the it’s not rocket science. If you don’t over-manipu-
composition of the vineyard, uprooting much of the late it, you can make very good wine.”
once-predominant Syrah, and planting grapes such
as Mourvèdre to produce more interesting blends. To learn more about Demetria Estate, visit...
A favorite is Cuvee Constantine, a red blend styled www.demetriaestate.com
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