For The Love of Lodi Wines: Ten Whites to Try

Lodi, which was named the Wine Enthusiast 2015 Wine Region of the Year, is predominately a red wine growing region. But an abundant and diverse selection of white wine grape varieties is also grown in the region.

Aside from the more well-known white wine grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, the region’s diverse terroir and vinicultural practices support the growth of high-quality Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, and Southern Rhone varieties.

There is even a winery, Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards, that is focused exclusively on crafting white wines!

Here are 10 wonderful white wines that showcase the incredible diversity that Lodi offers:

2015 Acquiesce Picpoul – This is crafted from Picpoul Blanc, an ancient Rhone white wine grape from Southern France. It’s a refreshing wine with orchard fruit, wet stone, and floral aromas. On the palate exhibits a sleek texture, and lively acidity with juicy peach, pear, and a hint of spice flavors.

2014 Acquiesce Roussanne – This wine is crafted from another white wine grape variety from France. It’s a full-bodied wine with promising honeysuckle, almond, and mineral aromas. On the palate it’s fresh and dense with apricot, apple flavors, and an appealing minerality.

2014 Bokisch Verdelho – Verdelho is a grape variety with roots in Portugal. This wine offers aromas of peach, green apple, and citrus. On the palate it’s medium-bodied and zesty with great mouth feel and peach, green apple, key lime flavors with a tropical fruit undertone.

2014 Bokisch Albariño Terra Alta Vineyard – Albariño is a grape native to Spain. This wine opens with aromatic melon, kiwi, honey, and floral aromas. On the palate it’s crisp, dry, and refreshing with melon, kiwi, and lemon flavors.

2015 Borra Vineyards Fusion White – This wine is an intriguing blend of (mostly) Viognier and Gewurztraminer with unique herbaceous, slightly musky, peach, citrus, and spice aromas. On the palate it’s light bodied, and dry with a mélange of orchard fruit, melon, citrus, and spice flavors.

2014 Borra Vineyards (Markus Wine Co) Nimmo – A fascinating blend of Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Bacchus with petrol, green apple, lime, and wet stone aromas. On the palate it’s dry with bracing acidity and green apple, lime, and an appealing wet stone minerality.

2014 d’Art Chardonnay – This wine opens with pear and green apple aromas. On the palate it’s medium-bodied and charming with generous pear and apple, and a hint of barrel spice.

2014 McCay Tres Blanc – An enchanting blend of Vermentino, Verdelho, Muscat, and Pinot Noir with appealing stone fruit and white flower aromas. On the palate it’s bone dry with lively acidity and inviting apricot, green apple, and citrus flavors.

2013 McCay Muscat – This wine is crafted from Muscat, one of the world’s oldest grape varieties, believe to have origins in the Middle East. It’s a delightfully dry expression of the grape with effusive orange blossom, and orchard fruit aromas. On the palate, it’s light-bodied, fresh, and dry with very palatable apricot, peach, and a hint of lychee flavors.

2015 Van Ruiten Pinot Grigio – pear, melon, and citrus aromas. On the palate it’s light–bodied, with zesty acidity and delicious apricot, peach, and lime flavors

So the next time you think of Lodi, especially with summer around the corner, think outside of the red wine ‘box.’ Lodi offers a vast portfolio of diverse, vibrant, and enticing white wines.

Click here for a list of Lodi wineries.