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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/123667
down-to-earth approach shown by the region's producers have all served the Central Coast well, according to operators. The "Sideways" effect of the 2004 movie hasn't hurt the region's appeal either. "Guests that do prefer the Central Coast wines prefer them for the great prices and the broad range of varietals and winemaking styles," Jason Sherman, the "wine guy" from Brennan's in Houston. The Texas Creole restaurant carries 33 wines from the Central Coast. It's also a region where winemakers can experiment and make a new start, Sherman adds. DAVID TURNER VIBRANT VARIETALS The Central Coast is known not only for the great diversity of grape types that grow well there, but as a region that has also been successful in producing single-varietal wines as well as blends. Some of the region's top varietals on-premise include many of the Rhône whites, such as marsanne, roussane and viognier, according to Sherman. Central Coast chardonnays and syrahs are also attracting a lot of attention. "I love the way that they pair with food, and they have a style that is uniquely their own," notes John Wright, sommelier at 550-room InterContinental hotel in San Francisco. "They are obviously California [wines], but have a nuance that is often lost in other AVAs." Wright carries 20 to 30 wines from the region on his hotel's wine list, which is home to Italian restaurant Luce. The bulk of the Central Coast wines are hand-sells, he notes. "They have an acidity that is often lacking [in other wines], a vibrancy of fruit that is refreshing." VALUE AND PRESTIGE The expansive Central Coast has been both a great source of value wines for operators as well as home to a handful of emerging expensive, cult brands. "The most expensive are wines from vineyards like Bien Nacido, Sanford, Pisoni, Cargasacchi, Sea Smoke, etc.," says Jeff Gregory, general manager of seasonalcuisine inspired restaurant FT33 in Dallas. In general, he says, "the quality is excellent for the price if you know who and what to look for." Some of the cool-climate wines are outstanding, as well as many of the appellation's Rhône and Bordeaux blends, Gregory notes. Wines from the region also offer a great variety of by-theglass options. FT33 carries four wines from the Central Coast, primarily the single-varietal wines, Gregory says. Most operators tend to list the wines these appellations produce by varietal, as they find few consumers are shopping their lists by region, other than Napa and perhaps some subregions of Sonoma, like the Russian River. "In most cases, they are very well priced," Sherman says of the Central Coast wines. But Syrah from Paso Robles "has reached some staggering prices as of late," he notes. As the prices of wines from other California regions increase, "customers are finding and searching out wines from alternative areas like the Central Coast," says David Jabour, president of www.cheersonline.com Arthur Hon, wine director at Sepia restaurant in Chicago, which carries about 15 wines from California's Central Coast region. the 75-location, Austin, TX-based chain Twin Liquors. The chain carries about 175 Central Coast wines, priced from $7 to $85. The top varietals are chardonnay, pinot noir, zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon, Jabour says. San Francisco-based, three-location K&L wine merchant currently carries 44 wines from the region, price from $13.99 to $60. "The Central Coast will continue to improve over the near and long term and offer our customers fantastic wines," says domestic wine buyer Mike Jordan. THE HORIZON The Central Coast offering brings a uniquely diverse perspective to the California winemaking scene, according to Sepia's Hon. Other operators agree. "A continued focus on great farming, varietal correctness and wines that are honest representations of their site will continue to push things forward for the region," says Gregory. "I see more and more wine drinking turning to the Central Coast wines each year, and I can't see that changing any time soon." The independent character of many of the producers has also helped to set the region apart. "It is a vibrant area with cutting-edge winemakers that are willing to make the best wine possible, not make the best wine that critics tell them they need to make," says Wright. In another 20 years, he notes, the Central Coast "could easily rival or surpass Napa." CLICK FOR MORE For more information about California wine region, please visit www.CAWineCentral.com, or use your smart phone to activate this QR Code. MAY 2013 | 25