I can’t believe that we have reached Day 12!
I’m a little sad. But never fear, there is so much more wine to taste and you will continue to see us bring you great wine suggestions into 2022, just maybe not every day.
We hope you have enjoyed this joyful tasting in the holiday season!
But on to today’s wine! The holidays can be stressful and as we get to the big day, this wine kind of embodies my favorite way to celebrate Christmas. In your pajamas! At my house we do no fancy gathering, we curl up in our PJ’s open presents and enjoy the day, Christmas lights are on all day, and holiday music playing. It’s joyful and laid back…just like this wine.
This Piquette is from Carhartt Family Wines in Santa Barbara County. It’s under their Venture label where they explore different varieties and style.
Day 12
Carhartt Family Wines Venture 2020 Fhuquette Rouge, Santa Ynez Valley
Piquette is known as frugal farmer fizz. It’s a way of making a delicious light alcohol sparkling beverage from what would have been leftover grape skins. It was popular in 19th century Europe. The idea is to take the pomace, that’s the leftover skins, seeds, stems, and pulp, from after pressing the grapes for wine and adding water. You let the mixture undergo a natural fermentation and bottle just before fermentation is complete with a crown cap to hold in the light bubbles. It only gets to about 7% abv.
The name comes from the French word for prickle, referring to the slight fizz. Over the past few years, Piquette has taken off. Chase figured he might as well try it! I mean, he had leftover pomace (all wineries do), so Fhuquette, why not? (Hence the name).
What does it taste like?
I get strawberries and raspberries, dried strawberries and a bright fruit sweetness that reminded me of jolly ranchers.
These are joyful bubbles! The juice is a deep rose color, the slight fizziness is fun. It’s tasty and it doesn’t take itself too seriously!
I mentioned before that they were out of this wine, but you should let them know you want to taste it (and you can tell them that I want more of it next year!) Head to the Carhartt site https://www.carharttfamilywines.com/ Or better yet, head to their tasting room in Los Olivos, where the back patio is truly one of my favorite places on the planet. Feel free to pick me up one of their amazing Adirondack chairs made from barrel staves!
Popcorn with Herbs, Dried Cranberries and Parmesan Cheese!
To stay in line with the joyful, unpretentious feel of the wine, our last pairing doesn’t take itself too seriously either! We did popcorn with fresh & dried thyme, fresh rosemary, dried cranberries and grated parmesan.
I’d love to tell you about my artisan popcorn, that I popped over the stove, but who are we kidding, it’s the end of the 12 days of wine and I was tired! This is simple microwave popcorn. Add the rest of the ingredients while its hot, straight to the bag and shake!
At this time of year, this pairing is best served while wearing fluffy slippers and PJ’s, curled up on the couch watching holiday movie!
Carhartt Family Wines
We just visited Carhartt and I am sad to tell you that you cannot currently get this wine. But…I encourage you to contact the winery and tell them that you want to try it so that Chase will continue making this!
A little bit about Carhartt family Wines. Mike & Brooke Carhartt planted a vineyard on the family’s historic property in Santa Ynez. Mike had grown up on this property purchased by his father Jack Carhartt back in 1954. He grew up there raising cattle. In 1996, he and his wife Brooke planted a vineyard. Brooke then took to making wine (she’s kinda genius at it). Today, their son Chase has taken the reins and makes the wines, with Brooke’s help. He traveled the world learning to make wine and now brings some of that diverse knowledge to his winemaking here, trying new things with the Venture label. New things like Piquette.
We’ve written about their wines before (full disclosure, we are members of the wine club, we like them that much!)
Happy Holidays Everyone! I hope you have enjoyed our 12 Days of Wine 2021!
Here’s to an amazing 2022!
Popcorn with Herbs, Dried Cranberries and Parmesan Cheese
Sometimes you just need a snack to curl up on the couch and munch while watching great movie. Or sometimes you need a quick and easy hors d'oeuvre that you can make look fancy that will make people smile! This simple dressed-up popcorn fits the bill. I would suggest pairing it with a Piquette! Don't know what that is? You should! Head to Crushed Grape Chronicles to find out!
Ingredients
- Freshly popped popcorn
- Dried cranberries
- Fresh herbs (thyme or rosemary)
- Dried herbs (thyme or rosemary)
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn your way (microwave, in a pot, in an air popper, whatever)
- Chop up your dried cranberries into smaller pieces
- Chop your fresh herbs
- While the popcorn is still hot, toss with the cranberries, fresh and dried herbs, and grated parmesan.
- Serve in a big bowl if it's just for you, or in small hors d'oeuvre spoons to make a fancy presentation for a party!
Robin Renken is a wine writer and Certified Specialist of Wine. She and her husband Michael travel to wine regions interviewing vineyard owners and winemakers and learning the stories behind the glass.
When not traveling they indulge in cooking and pairing wines with food at home in Las Vegas.
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