The Art of the Blend
“Soie is art without artifice. A silken blend deftly wrought from sun and earth and vine.” - Winemaker, Jeff Hinchliffe
When naming our new red blend, we were inspired by its silky tannins and elegant mouthfeel—qualities that led us to Soie, the French word for silk (pronounced “swah” in English). True to its name, Soie is a polished and nuanced, non-vintage wine crafted from 11 different varietals spanning four vintages.
At Hanna we are incredibly fond of blends. Ask Jeff or Marti (our winemakers) what their favorite wines are at any given time, and you’ll likely hear “Titan” or “Alchimie” as the response. Marti notes, “When assembling a blend there is so much freedom of expression. It’s fun to play mad scientist and trial different, crazy combinations.”
The composition of Soie – a multi-vintage blend from all of Hanna’s appellations – might prompt you to ask why. There is, however, a method to our madness. The Soie blend was assembled as such:
- 2021 Bismark Moon Mountain District – Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot – serve as the base notes of the blend. This dry, warm vintage produced complex and structured fruit from the mountain-top vineyard.
- 2022 Alexander Valley – Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Nero d’Avola, and Saint Macaire – contribute juicy, ripe fruit and a plump mouthfeel.
- 2023 Dry Creek Mountain – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese – contribute high notes and freshness.
- 2024 Russian River Valley – Sauvignon Blanc – this parent of Cabernet Sauvignon is an unexpected component of a red blend, but it’s exactly what’s needed to make this red blend chillable. It contributes brightness, softness, and highlights the floral notes. There is a long history of winemakers using white grape varieties in red wines. The famous Rhone wine Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a meaty red that adds white wine grapes to soften the tannins, boost the fruit flavors and add natural acidity.
The Blend
Tasting Notes“This chillable red blend has aromas of violet, Darjeeling tea, raspberry and blackberry. Juicy flavors of raspberry, blackberry and licorice follow. It’s the perfect summer red!” – Winery President, Christine Hanna |
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We think Soie tastes delicious at or below cellar temperature. It’s juicy and round enough to be served chilled, but still has the depth of flavor and structure that you red wine lovers crave. We recommend serving it at the same temperature as a Chardonnay, around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, but we’ve also loved it colder, especially when pairing with the salmon recipe below.
Pro Tip: If you store the bottle in a standard refrigerator (typically around 37°F), we recommend pulling it out 30-45 minutes before serving to let it warm slightly to 45-55°F. If you store your wine in a wine fridge, they are typically set to 45-55 degrees.
That said, feel free to enjoy this wine at any temperature you prefer. You might experiment and find your ideal temperature, and if you do, please drop us a line and let us know. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Pairing Recommendations
Christine Hanna’s Miso Roasted Salmon with Shiso
During the summer months, I roast this salmon on the grill. We grow shiso in the winery garden, but you can substitute any other fresh herbs. I love this dish with our new chillable red, Soie.
Ingredients
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In a shallow dish, stir together miso, mirin, soy, oil, lemon zest and juice and garlic. Add the salmon, coat and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to cook, heat the grill or your oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil and place the salmon fillets skin side down. Drizzle with marinade and scatter herbs over the fillets. Close the grill cover or oven and roast 7-10 minutes depending on your doneness preference.
Pairings Continued:
- Cheeses: Gruyere, San Joaquin Gold, Dry Jack, Aged Gouda
- Charcuterie: Prosciutto, Soppressata, Journeyman Sonoma Bianco
- Appetizer: Roast beef, gruyere, and arugula crostini with horseradish cream sauce
- Christine Hanna’s Lamb Burgers on Potato Rolls with Aioli – The Winemaker Cooks (Page 79)
Purchase Soie