24 Jul Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Terah Wine Co. 2023 Vermentino, Clement Hills, California

With temperatures in the 90s and 100s this past week, there is no doubt that summer is here. And when it is so hot outside, the perfect wine should be crisp and refreshing. Zippy and fresh, the Terah Wine Co. 2023 Vermentino from the Clement Hills in Lodi, California, hit the spot, which is why it is the Please The Palate wine of the week.

About

Terah Wine Co. was started by Terah Bajjalieh in 2202. After studying finance and business, Terah worked briefly in mortgage lending and trading commodities. In 2010, she started studying wine at the French Culinary Institute. After finishing the program, she worked at the school, as well as at wine bars and for sommeliers as a way to gain experience and build a network. In 2012 Terah worked harvest in Mendoza, and then vintage hopped for five years. In 2015, she got her Master’s Degree in winemaking and viticulture in France and finished her studies in Spain. She returned to the U.S. in 2018 to work for a large wine company but in 2020, Covid hit and she started her own project.  At Terah Wine Co, Terah sources grapes from organic vineyards in San Benito County, Santa Clara County, Amador County, and Lodi to produce low-intervention wines.

Tasting Notes

The Vermentino is sourced from the Bench Vineyard in Clement Hills in Lodi. The grapes are direct-pressed and natively fermented in stainless steel for 5 months. The wine goes through full malolactic fermentation (a secondary fermentation that converts the citric acid to lactic acid). The wine is unfiltered and unfined. The finished wine is vibrant and bright with bold citrus notes and zippy, tingling, lingering acidity. The Vermentino does not lose its acidity after going through malolactic fermentation, but the malolactic fermentation gives the wine its textured midpalate.

Food Pairing

Vermentino is a versatile wine to pair with food. Of course, this Vermentino is delicious on its own on a hot day, but you can also enjoy it with seafood, vegetable dishes, and light meats, especially with citrus or herbal sauces.

Where To Purchase

The Terah Wine Co. 2023 Vermentino, Clement Hills retails for $28 and is available at www.terahwineco.com.