There comes a point in every intrepid wine lover’s life when the well-traveled road must be left behind. One can only drink so much Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. But finding one’s way out of the multitudes of these bottles to something more exotic and interesting takes some effort.
Which is where the folks behind the Seven Percent Solution come in. These wine producers have organized themselves behind the fact that 93% of Northern California’s vineyard acreage is planted to eight major grape varieties, leaving a mere seven percent for all the others.
Of course, since we’re talking about statistics, only about twenty percent of wine lovers probably ever stray away from those eight dominant grape varieties anyhow, which is why California’s acreage stands where it does.
But you, dear reader, are certainly among that twenty percent. You are a fearless wine consumer, ready to drink Tinta Cao, Trousseau Gris, Ribolla Gialla, or Colombard at a moment’s notice, right?
If so, then you need to mark your calendar for May 8th, 2014 for the second annual version of what could be dubbed California’s Most Interesting Wine Tasting.
The participating vintners are: Arnot Roberts, Bedrock Wine Co., Broc Cellars, Dirty and Rowdy, Donkey and Goat, Edmunds Saint John, Forlorn Hope, Idlewild Wines, Jolie-Laide, Leo Steen, Matthiasson, RPM, Ryme Cellars, Sandlands, Stark Wine, The Scholium Project, Two Shepherds, Unti Vineyards, Wind Gap, and Nico Wines.
For those less familiar with the names on this list, it’s a veritable Who’s Who for many of the hottest small wineries in California. And by hottest, I mean those who are known and loved by wine geeks for pushing the boundaries of California wine.
These wineries and their beloved obscure grapes will be descending on the Folsom Street Foundry in San Francisco for a public tasting. Thankfully, the venue seems to be a bit larger, and may be less of a squeeze than the first version of this tasting was purported to be.
Go forth and electrify your palate!
The Seven Percent Solution Tasting 2014
Thursday, May 8th, 2014
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Folsom Street Foundry
1425 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tickets are $68.27 and well worth it, in my opinion. Buy yours in advance online, as this event will probably sell out.
For those up in Wine Country, the event will be repeated on May 10th at Bergamot Alley, the site of last year’s inaugural tasting. Make sure you’re selecting the correct venue when you purchase your tickets.
