SF Chron: The new, lighter alcohol California pinot...

[Jenise]

...is apparently becoming a reality, with producers like Copain's Wells Guthrie bringing in his next batch in the 13% range and vowing to get in the 12% range in the vintage following. An interesting prospect, since so many California winemakers have stated directly to me that they find the high alcohols disappointing but impossible to avoid without reverting to reverse osmosis or something. But if Guthrie can do it....

Anyway, interesting article, link below, with some interesting tidbits re Siduri and a few others.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/11/FDB11I6Q5P.DTL

[Robin Garr]

Anyway, interesting article, link below, with some interesting tidbits re Siduri and a few others.

Interesting indeed! Thanks for posting, Jenise. Funny, Syrah-like Cal Pinot has been a debate topic around here for quite a while, as you know. It's reassuring to see some sign that rationality might return. Also good to see Au Bon Climat among the good guys ... I've always considered Clendenen's wines among the too-rare exceptions to the rule.

I am really happy to hear this, as the singe-your-palate Zinfandel-wantabees have been a griping point of mine for some years now. Very intersting the last comment, that they can harvest weeks early and still be properly ripe.