Explore Oregon Wines: Wineries | Varietals | AVAs | Cellar 503 Selections
Grochau Cellars 2015 Melon de Bourgogne
Loire Valley Inspiration...
For John Grochau, making great wine is all about getting out of the way. As he says, “it’s simple really – don’t screw it up. Resist the urge to do too much.”
By that, Grochau means that he avoids the manhandling that some winemakers do – special enzymes, oak bombs, fussing around with technology.
And as a result, Grochau Cellars as become known for wines that are delicate, subtle, and pure expressions of the grapes and the terroir. Or as one wine writer put it, “he’s a purist winemaker interested in finesse, nuance, and what can admiringly be called a certain tenderness.”
So, how did we get here?
In his restless 20s, John spent years racing bicycles with a French cycling team. Up and down the hills of the Loire Valley, John soon discovered a love for the local wines. Even now, the Loire Valley serves as his inspiration in winemaking, with fresh, crisp flavors and fruitiness.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Grochau Cellars, Amity, Oregon
2015 Melon de Bourgogne
The Loire Valley is famous for its Melon de Bourgogne, and this 2015 edition from the Willamette Valley is a worthy homage.
You’ll notice an initial aroma of both citrus and crushed stone, followed by a crisp and bright taste of green apple and herbs. As a sommelier at Portland’s Higgins restaurant, John Grochau always wants his wines to stand up nicely with food – which means bright acid to create structure and open your palate.
The French believe that Melon de Bourgogne is the best wine in the world to serve with seafood, so uncork this wine right as you’re putting the fish on the grill this summer. Fantastic!
A Cellar 503 selection in June 2016, Old World Wines, New World Style Willamette Valley | Melon de Bourgogne
