Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Troon Vineyard Druid's Fluid White Applegate Valley 2021
Product Story
Druid’s Fluid, some say the wine that put Troon on the map, was perhaps a mistake. According to numerous sources Druid’s Fluid was born in the 1970s when, one vintage Dick Troon had a stuck fermentation that left some unfermented sugar in the wine. When he shared this slightly sweet red wine with his neighbors it was a hit and Druid’s Fluid was born. We don’t know exactly where the name came from but Fluid Druid, the second album by English rock quartet Druid was released in 1976 — the same year that Troon Vineyard was founded. The current team at Troon inherited the Druid’s Fluid brand and updated it with a new label featuring a Celtic triskele. Troon’s love of red and white Côtes du Rhone wines provided the needed inspiration. The 2021 vintage of the White Druid’s Fluid includes Vermentino, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Whole clusters of Marsanne and Roussanne were gently pressed and transferred to neutral oak barrels for fermentation while the Vermentino was first foot-trod. Fermentation was cool and slow with a natural malolactic fermentation in the spring. The resulting wine is complex while very fun.
Brand Story
Troon Vineyard started quietly over four decades ago when Dick Troon planted vineyards in Southern Oregon. He sold grapes to local wineries but soon discovered that the best business decision was to create his own wines. He converted his barn to a winery and slowly built the brand until he sold the winery to his friend Larry Martin in 2003. Today, Troon Vineyard is owned by Dr. Bryan White and Denise White. The Whites along with Craig Camp, general manager, and winemaker Nate Wall lead the innovative wine making efforts at Troon. Nate has extensive winemaking experience in the Willamette Valley and brings a nuanced, almost Pinot Noir approach to winemaking. Craig is a wine industry veteran with a sharp palate, encyclopedic knowledge of the wines of the world, and relentless energy. Troon offers a wonderfully diverse selection of varietal wines and blends ranging from Malbec to Grenache and Vermentino to name just a few. Beginning with the 2018 vintage the fruit utilized by Troon was farmed 100% organically and biodynamically. All Troon wines were crushed by foot, fermented with only native yeasts with no additives of any kind. If you are seeking unique wines with style and gusto you need to get acquainted with Troon Vineyard.
Tasting Note
Slightly hazy, medium straw color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of jasmine and apricot with supporting notes of orange peel, honeysuckle, citrus zest, and lemon grass. The palate echoes the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of green apple, white peach, quince, and red grapefruit. The finish is long and lingering with refreshing citrus accents. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture.
How to Serve
Serve chilled but no too cold or you will suppress the the subtle nuances abundant in this wine. Pair it with roasted fowl, crab cakes, cream sauces, or smoked salmon.
Price: $ 25
BevX Review: http://bevx.com/wine-detail/?id=4255
