North America | California | Two Shepherds | Centime

Centime

VARIETALS
80% Vermentino 20% Picpoul

NOTES

VINEYARD: Windmill Vineyard, certified organic. This large ranch is not the typical grapevine monoculture, but instead is planted with a variety of production such as organic fruit trees, providing a healthier bio-diverse growing environment, on alluvial, gravelly soils. While this region has a hot climate, it enjoys a 40 degree diurnal shift at night, making it possible to pick in August at low brix with great acidity, flavor, and depth.

VINIFICATION: The grapes were crushed and then left to ferment on the skins, instead of being pressed off immediately. The time on the skins can impart a slight orange color, thus the name. It also imparts tannins from seed contact, as well as texture and flavor. This release was on the skins for twelve days in an open container, until primary fermentation was complete via native yeast, and 1- 2 punch-downs/day. Once fermentation was complete, the wine was very lightly hand pressed into a neutral French oak barrel where it aged for 10 months, and completed ML. Racked twice then bottled.

TASTING NOTES: Clear, with a bright orange, ripe cantaloupe flesh color. Aromas of citrus peel, tangerine, and spice. On the palate, ginger, grapefruit, citrus peel, with soft tannins. Fleshy texture mid-palate. The finish lingers with spice and vibrant acidity. A complex wine, that changes over time as it opens, and will continue to develop in the bottle. Drink now or cellar 1-3 years. Best served with food.
‘Centime’ is French for penny, borrowing the idea of the copper color. Two Shepherds has been making skin fermented Rhone white grapes since 2011 (prior to this vintage using grenache blanc with vermentino), in small lots. This has been part of an ongoing quest to make a specific style of orange wine, made from white grapes, yet vinified like a red wine.
Though made for 800+ years, Orange wines are quite the rage right now, but many can be difficult to drink, being often bitter and tannic. With this wine, Two Shepherds has made an orange wine which is approachable and can be enjoyed by all levels of wine enthusiasts.