27 Dec Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Ramble Wines 2021 Valdiguié/Barbera, Buddha’s Dharma Mendocino

Back in the 1940s, Valdiguié, then known as Napa Gamay, was one of the dominant grapes in California. Today there are less than 225 acres planted of this grape so when I can find a bottle that says Valdiguié on it, I grab it. As I picked up the Ramble Wines 2021 Valdiguié/Barbera, I was even more intrigued by the varietal combination. Two very different grapes from different origins (France and Italy) together? I had to try it.  And I liked it so much that the Ramble Wines 2021 Valdiguié/Barbera, Mendocino is the Please The Palate wine of the week.

About Ramble / Billy D. Wines

Billy Davies was born into the wine business. Sparkling wine is part of his DNA as he is the son of Jack and Jamie Davies who founded Schramsberg in the mid-1960s. He grew up working at Schramsberg. After studying liberal arts in college, he went to work for Southern Wine and Spirits and then Berringer Wines and found himself on the sales and marketing side of wine. He also taught wine business at Cal Poly.

With an independent, entrepreneurial spirit, Billy was an early-adaptor to the organic world. He worked with the California Certified Organic Famers, helped build an organic rice venture, and worked with grass-fed beef. But if there is one business Billy knew better than any other, it was the wine business. Wine connects people; wine elevates the conversation; and, according to Bill, “wine with food makes an ordinary day more significant.” He knew there was a story still to be told and returned to this wine roots when he started Billy D. and Ramble Wines.

Both Ramble and Billy D. Wines are innovative brands. The bucking goat on the back of the Billy D label represents Bill’s bucking the norm. The wines are made from unique varieties, such as Chenin Blanc, Valdiguié, and Carignan, sourced from Northern California certified organic vineyards and made at a custom-crush facility. Ramble Wines, are vibrant, low-alcohol wines made with minimal intervention. Sustainability is reflected in the use of ultra-light glass and a plant-based, fully recyclable cork.

Tasting Notes

The Valdiguié and the Barbera, as well as Chenin Blanc (which Billy makes) are sourced from Buddha’s Dharma Vineyard. Planted in 1944, the vineyard is dry-farmed and organic. Bill first co-fermented Valdiguié and Barbera for his rosé. He liked how the Barbera added acidity so he decided to try it for the red wine. The grapes, some destemmed and some whole cluster, were fermented separately. There was some carbonic fermentation. Billy played with different percentages and ultimately liked 77% Valdiguié and 23% Barbera. The wine is a translucent garnet color and has brambly, dark red fruit, and white pepper aromas. There is a lovely savory character and textured tannins in this energetic and fun wine. 

Food Pairing

Add a little chill to this wine and enjoy it on a warm afternoon. Low in alcohol with earth and fruit notes, this light red wine is a food friendly wine to enjoy with a charcuterie plate, grilled salmon, barbecue chicken, and slow cooked ribs. Or try it with a watermelon and feta salad! I enjoyed the wine with steak cooked in a cask iron skillet with rosemary and garlic.

Where To Purchase

The Ramble 2021 Valdiguié/Barbera retails for $32 and can be purchased directly from the Billy D. Wines website.