From time to time I am the fortunate recipient of a unique opportunity to explore wines. A couple of years ago I attended the California Wine Fair 2022 that was held at the Vancouver Hyatt Regency. It was a very well organized event with educational seminars and wine tastings. The tasting rooms were separated into wine regions which is where I happend to meet Joseph Lange, International Sales Director and fifth-generation family member Lange family of LangeTwins Family Vineyard and Winery in Lodi.
It was through this chance meeting and some chat over a few pours of the LangeTwins wines that resurfaced in the past week as an invitation to join Randall, fourth-generation Lange family member, and Charlene Lange for lunch and a pairing of their wines. What a delight and unexpected pleasure to meet both Randall and Charlene as well as their Canadian representative Pablo Sanz of Renaissance Wine Merchants.
We enjoyed a casual lunch at Homer St Cafe in Vancouver. We started with a glass of the LangeTwins merrill Chenin Blanc which was fabulous. Just the perfect wine as an aperitif, or, as we did, paired with Burrata and Focassia bread starter. Moving on we next tried the Chardonnay which also paired well with the starter dish. Just as an aside although the Foccacia bread was delicious the starter would have benefitted from the addition of a splash of good quality olive oil to enhance the flavour of the Burrata. The Chardonnay is an excellent starting point for those still slowly exploring this grape. We each chose a different main to pair with Thirty eight Cabernet Sauvignon. It worked with every dish, from a liver parfait, oddly served on a waffle, to a hearty burger. Nevertheless the highlight was definitely the three wines.
If I had to pick just one most important word to describe the wines, the LangeTwins vineyard and winery it would be “sustainable”. Randall Lange makes it clear that his family is committed to the best practices that respect the land and the principals of the family traditions in all that they do and all of the wines they produce. An ongoing commitment that goes back generations.
For more LangeTwins Family Vineyard and Winery features on MyVanCity, click here to read.
2022 LangeTwins merrill Vineyard Chenin Blanc
This lovely wine makes a wonderful aperitif but also pairs very well with cheese, poultry, seafood and lighter fare. Scents of fresh citrus fruits tease the nose.
The citrus follows the nose to delicately touch the palate, a fresh, slightly light and fruity wine that is smooth and soft. A very nice level of acidity keeps this an interesting wine that feels clean and fresh with each sip.
2021 LangeTwins merrill Vineyard Chardonnay
The Chardonnay is an oak influenced wine fermented in French or American neutral barrels, using only well-used barrels, producing just the lightest touch of oak on both the nose and on the palate. Predominately influenced by seents of tropical and stone fruits.
These desirable scents transform the Chardonnay into a well balanced, flavourful, yet approachable, expression of the grape. The slight oak density of flavours carry the day. For those who may be hesitant to embrace a more oaky Chardonnay you will find this one a pleasant and worthy alternative.
Traditionally the Chardonnay will come alive when paired with oysters on the half shell or a creamy Coquille Saint Jacques.
2019 LangeTwins Thirty eight Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine speaks to the tradition of fine winemaking as ripe fruit scents assail the nose with delight. Deep and rich it foretells of what is to come when you take your first sip.
Flavours of red plum, blackberry and ripe, wild strawberries. Expressive influences of dark chocolate, leather and tobacco and a lingering, ever so slight, oakiness to the finish. A medium + body with very light, almost unnoticed, tannins. In a word, this wine, “wow”.
If you are attending the Vancouver International Wine Festival over the next few days, be sure to stop by the LangeTwins Family Vineyard and Winery booth to taste their delicious wines. These wines are available at select, fine wine shops.
About LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards
For five generations, the LangeTwins family has been a sustainable grower of premium grapes in the Lodi Appellation of California. In 2006, LangeTwins opened a winery in Acampo, CA, just 90 miles east of the San Francisco Bay Area, to showcase their passion for growing superior wine grapes and creating sustainably farmed, quality wines. Today, LangeTwins farms over 7,000 acres in both the Lodi and Clarksburg Appellations. The vineyard and winery operation is owned and managed by twins Randall and Brad, their wives Charlene and Susan, and fifth generation LangeTwins family members Marissa, Aaron, Philip, Kendra and Joseph. The LangeTwins family is committed to sustainable winegrowing, restoration projects and using renewable energy. For more information visit: http://www.langetwins.com.
My wine notes (in italics). Lunch was complimentary and hosted by Randall and Charlene Lange. I received complimentary wine to facilitate future reviews. Images: MyVanCity
