Coruce Vineyards and Winery

06/13/2026

Today is "International Drink Chenin Blanc Day". The date changes every year, it is the 2nd Saturday of June. It was first celebrated in 2014 in New York and 10 other cities in the USA, although the date was picked for the northern hemisphere summer, it actually put the spotlight ion the diversity of Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc is celebrated in its home regions of the Loire Valley in France, and dates back to the 9th century and in South Africa, where it is the flagship grape. In South Africa, they call it Steen and they produce over 55% of the worlds Chenin Blanc. It is pronounced "shen-nin-blonk". This is a highly versatile grape variety known for producing a wide range of wine styles, from dry and sparkling to sweet and luscious. It has flavors and aromas of melon, green apple, honey, citrus blossom, ginger, tarragon Meyer Lemon, pear, chamomile and mineral notes, It pairs well with roast chicken, spicy dishes or creamy cheeses and Thai or Vietnamese dishes. This grape varietal is prone to "noble rot" (botrytis cinera), which concentrates sugars and acids. This allows producers to make legendary, decades-aging sweet wines in appellations like Coteaux du. In the 1970's and 1980's, it was one of the most planted white grapes in CA. It was mostly used as a workhorse, blending juice for everyday "Chablis" or California sparkling. It's signature high tartaric acid gives Chenin Blanc immense aging potential. The Chenin Blanc Association & Wines of South Africa started to promote it in 2016. According to the Wine International Association.org, and Wine Folly they celebrate it annually on the 3rd Saturday in June which will be June 20th, 2026.(WineIntlAssociation.org)(Winefolly)(crushedgrapechronicles)(SiltwnineCo)(PleasethePalate)

06/13/2026

According to Wine Folly and Wine Int'l Association.org, they list National Rosé Day on June 13th. It is celebrated on the 2nd Saturday of June every year. This National Rosé Day is a different celebration from the "International Rosé Day" that was on Feb 16th, 2026. Internationaldays.co celebrates it on June 27th, 2026. Wine Int'l Assoc.org says that it was started by Swedish Rosé house Bodvár to pay homage to this glorious summertime drink. At Travelengcorkscew.com, they state that this day was created by Valérie Rousselle, owner of Châteaux Roubine and Sainte Béatrice in Provence, France in 2018. Rosé is a refreshing and versatile wine, usually light, fruity and easy to drink. The best thing about Rosé is its versatility. It can be paired with many foods, from grilled meats to spicy dished. Rosé is probably the oldest known type of wine, dating back to 600BC. Rosé wines are generally made from red grapes. The pink color depends on the time the grape skin stays in contact with the juice. They also can be made into semi-sparkling, or sparkling , with different intensities of sweetness levels and dryness. Rosé versus blush wines, and many confuse them both. Rosé wines are often some of the driest wines produced, yet blush wines are always sweet. Rosé wine has been enjoyed for centuries, with the Greeks and Romans. However, it wasn't until the Phocaeans brought the grapevines to Marseille during the middle ages that rosé gained in popularity. It is called Rosado in Spain. In 1975, Sutter Home Winery was the first to attempt to produce Rosé, but their initial result was too sweet and had an unpleasantly aftertaste. Despite this, setback, the winery persevered and eventually perfected the recipe. There are many different techniques that are used to make delicious Rosé wine. One of the most popular involves red grape varieties being pressed early, typically only around 12-24 hours after maceration. (Wine Int'l Assoc.org) (daysoftheyear.com)(nationaldaycalendar.com)

06/12/2026

Today is World Verdejo Day, the date changes every year as it is celebrated on the 2nd Friday of June. Wine Int'l Association.org says it is on 6/11/26. The date honors Verdejo, a crisp and aromatic white wine grape native to Spain, particularly the Rueda region. This holiday was started in 2013 by wine enthusiasts from four cities in the US. Within 5 years it grew to and international celebration of Verdejo le by D.O. Rueda in partnership with D.O. Ribera del Duero . Its main goal is to raise global awareness of Verdejo wines and the Rueda region. Verdejo is pronounced "vurr-day-ho". The name Verdejo refers to the grapes' faint green-blue color on the vines, as well as the subtle greenish hue of the finished wine. It is know for its bright acidity, fresh citrus and herbal notes and is a thin-skinned grape. This grape is typically harvested at night (lower temperatures means less oxidation and lighter-colored wines). It boasts flavors of lime, Meyer lemon, grapefruit, grass, fennel, and citrus blossom. It is often likened to Sauvignon Blanc, but really deserves its own category. Verdejo continues to improve over several years of bottle-aging where it gains a rich texture and flavors of toasted Marcona almonds, supported by sparkly acidity. It pairs well with any dish that has lime in it, like Lime chicken, carnitas, fish tacos, and cheeses like Manchego, Pecorino, Feta, and Ricotta. It is believed to have originated in North Africa despite being one of Spain's well known whites. (Wine Folly)(thegrapegrind)

06/12/2026

Join is at the Coruce tasting room tonight: Thursday, June 11th from 5-7 PM!. Listen to Joei Strader, a season 18 semi finalist on "The Voice"! Feel free to bring your own nibbles. 🍷🥖🥂🧀🍇
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06/10/2026

Today is National Durif Day, also known as Petite Sirah, it is celebrated every year on 6/10. This holiday was put together by the Riverina Winemakers in Australia. There is also an organization called "PS I Love You" to promote Petite Sirah. It is pronounced "duh-rhif". This grape is a bold, full- bodied red wine varietal that is often associated with Australia, but also found in California, Washington, Brazil, Mexico and Chile. This grape was discovered by Francios Durif, a French botanist who worked in Eastern France in the late 1800's at his experimental vineyard. The crossing of Syrah(Shiraz) and Peloursin was resistant to downy mildew. When it was imported to the Linda Vista Winery in the San Jose region of CA, it was accidentally called "Petite Sirah" (There is some confusion if this was for marketing purposes or mislabeling, but don't get this confused with "Syrah" which is a different grape varietal completely!) This wine often needs time for the tannins to mellow. Durif and Petite Sirah are the same grape variety, but Durif is the original French name, while Petie Sirah is used in the US. It is deep and dark in color and tends to have higher alcohol. The flavor profile boasts of dark fruit like blueberries, blackberries, dark cherries and tea, dark chocolate, to***co and black pepper. It pairs well with grilled steak, lamb shank, or beef casseroles. lasagna, aged gouda and blue cheese. Durif has thicker skins and smaller berries, leading to higher tannins and color intensity. Shiraz is more fruit forward, with brighter red berry and spice notes, while Durif leans towards black fruit, dark chocolate and earthy flavors. Durif's higher acidity gives it great aging potential, often 8-10 years or more. Durif is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon with both being tannic and structured with dark fruit flavors, or a Malbec with both having similar deep color and full bodied character, and also like a Zinfandel with both can be higher in alcohol, with bold fruit notes. (debortoli.com) Durif Day Sirah

06/06/2026

Today is "National Bubbly Day". The date changes every year, its always the first Saturday of June. Established in 2017, it was founded by America's leading cava brand, Freixenet, this holiday represents not only the sparkling wine the company is famous for but also the happy effervescent feeling that this month (aka summer). This day celebrates all things sparkling and bubbly - from champagne, to prosecco, to sparkling water. Sparkling wine, affectionately know as "bubbly" is the perfect beverage for celebrations - particularly because of its cork-popping goodness. The grapes used to make sparkling wines or Champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier. Glera is used to make Italian Prosecco. Macabeo, Xarel-o, and Parellada are used to make the Spanish Cava. Riesling used to make Sekt in Germany. Other regions use Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Petit Meslier. For sparkling Rosés, winemakers use grapes like Garnacha, Monastrell and Pinot Noir. Crisp, fruity flavors combine with delightful bubbles to create a celebratory drink that is perfect when enjoyed alone or when paired with appetizers or a meal. (Winecountry.com) (WineFolly)

06/03/2026

Every year since 2013, we celebrate "International Sommelier Day" on June 3rd. This day was established in Mexico by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), the global organization that represents sommeliers worldwide. This date was chosen to commemorate the foundation date of the International Sommelier Association established in Reims, France on June 1969. The day celebrates all wine stewards worldwide. The term "sommelier" comes from an ancient Latin word 'sagma', meaning "packsaddle", and 'sauma' meaning (a load on a pack animal). A sommelier is trained to help you find the right wine for your meal in fine restaurants across the country in the hospitality industry. The history of a sommelier dates back to the 14th century, when a sommelier was entrusted with the orderly transport of precious commodities (like food and wine) when royalty traveled, a task rooted in responsibility and trust. However, it wasn't until the late 18th-century in Paris, that the sommelier's genuine character emerged, casting them into the role of passionate stewards of wines, an evolution that continues to shape their identity today. To be recognized as a sommelier today, one must complete a rigorous educational program in the field or undergo years of apprenticeship and training. A sommelier's expertise involves relentless research, dedicated study and daring experimentation. So raise a glass of wine and toast to all sommeliers! (daysoftheyear.com)(Wineinternationalassociation.org)

05/31/2026