Upper Eden
Upper Eden
GRAPES: Pinot Noir
VINTAGE: 2018
REGION: Santa Lucia, Highlands
ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 13.9%
PRICE: $12.99
As we continue our “ Drink The Rainbow” series on TJ Tuesday, I thought it would be nice for us to taste a Pinot Noir. If you think about the spectrum of red wine, there are SO many options. To be honest, it can be overwhelming unless you know what you like or you are willing to take a chance on an unknown grape variety or blend. During my reading and research, I came across this great graphic that makes deciphering red wine a little easier. Go ahead and give it a save- it will certainly come in handy next time you find yourself wandering down the wine aisles.
For those of you who don’t know me very well, I was a major art history nerd in high school and college. For a brief moment in time, I debated on majoring in art history but then thought twice given that I wasn’t moving to a city with a booming art scene. You might be thinking to yourself, what in the hell does this have to do with wine? This week’s bottle of Upper Eden was selected largely in part due to its label. Not only did the colors catch my eye, but the label is reminded me of one of my favorite graphic artists, MC Escher. I did a little digging around and found that the label was designed by Makers and Allies. Inspired by Steinbeck’s East of Eden, Makers and Allies designed a label that gives us a new way to visual wine country. It’s fantastic, don’t you think?
After a little research, I poured myself a glass and gave it a swirl. I had no idea I was in for such a treat.
TASTING NOTES:
Classic Cork
Pale ruby color
Notes of red fruit on the nose, specifically black cherry and strawberry jam
Medium body; fruit-forward
Very smooth wine and falls on the drier end of the spectrum
Has a hint of acidity but nothing overpowering
Starts out on the tart side but finishes very balanced
Meiomi dupe
Trader Joe’s states that it’s smooth, bright, delicate and extremely versatile
Verdict: I can’t stop talking about how great this wine is. It’s light enough for summer but bold enough to pair with a charcuterie board or even a steak. If you are a fan of fruit-forward, medium-bodied red wines, this is for you. I always see fashion bloggers talking about dupes and it’s safe to say that this is a Meiomi dupe. If you enjoy that wine, you will love Upper Eden.
Until Next Time!