Flora

Flora photos, charts, maps, and wines.

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The appropriately named Flora, a cross of Gewürztraminer and Semillon, was developed by Dr. Harold Olmo, UC Davis’ legendary geneticist, as an aromatic varietal suitable for the hot growing conditions of California’s prolific Central read more...Valley. The grape succeeded on the aromatic side of the equation, but has largely proven unsuccessful in warmer climes due to its inability to retain acidity in these conditions.

Ultimately failing to prove its worth as a suitable grape for the blended jug wine industry, Flora has demonstrated its potential as a varietal in the cooler conditions of New Zealand, where it is known to have produced some critically applauded and stylish wines in the 1970s. Unfortunately, Flora’s aromatic and full bodied wines seemed out of place with the popular market taste of the day. Failing to meet with widespread appeal Downunder, the variety was largely forgotten about until it resurfaced more than two decades later.

In the state where it originated, beginning in the early 70s, Schramsberg Vineyards utilized Flora to excellent success for an aromatic and soft sparkling labeled as Cremant – one of the preferred bubblies of former presidents Reagan and George Bush Sr.

In the new millennia, with a renewed enthusiasm for matching grapes to the appropriate climate, there is great potential and growing opportunity for Flora in appellations with moderate climates such as Mendocino’s Yorkville Highlands.

Miss Flora you’re a pretty California girl who’s inherited the best attributes of your famous parents – the spicy floral perfume of Gewurztraminer and the full curvaceous body of Semillon. But remember to mind the hot Central Valley sunshine, my dear, for over indulgence does turn those attractive curves into flab.

Trotting the globe in the seventies, you found yourself in New Zealand where the cool clime befitted your gregarious personality. But it seems that your aromatic headiness and lush figure were far too expressive for the Kiwi taste of the day and you slipped into obscurity. An eventual return to your home state would see you acknowledged by California’s wine elite with a sparkling performance in Schramsberg Cremant – a celebrated ensemble piece. At the end of the day, Miss Flora, it would appear that you do have the potential to become a star on California's cool coastal stages.

Varietal Character by Sue Courtney
New Zealand Wine of the Week    (hide)

quaffable reviewed Flora Springs Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005:

November 2009

quaffable

A serious bang for your buck cab from napa. dark cherry and cassis flavors with elegant tannins and a nice vanilla and spice note from the oak. not the kind of wine you cellar for 2 decades but it is drinking great right...

Flora Springs Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Starting at $26^.49 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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VegasOenophile reviewed Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards Trilogy 2005:

November 2009

VegasOenophile

- Tasted at Lee's Wine Experience 11/7/09

Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards Trilogy 2005

Starting at $38^.97 Snoothrank: 4/5

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VegasOenophile reviewed Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Wild Boar Vineyard 2005:

November 2009

VegasOenophile

- Tasted at Lee's Wine Experience 11/7/09

Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Wild Boar Vineyard 2005

Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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VegasOenophile reviewed Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Rennie Vineyard 2005:

November 2009

VegasOenophile

- Tasted at Lee's Wine Experience 11/7/09

Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Rennie Vineyard 2005

Snoothrank: 3/5

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spun69 reviewed Flora Springs Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2006:

November 2009

spun69

Flora Springs Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2006

Starting at $17^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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dmcker wrote in the forum topic: Best and worst names for wines and wineries

October 2009

dmcker

Some more cool (or not) names for wineries. Marketing is a bizarre menagerie of ... to blur borders between flora and fauna. Also seems like frogs are one of the more popular critters, so maybe I'm in the minority in not...

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Stratego wrote in the forum topic: I like Italian wines best!

October 2009

Stratego

Welcome to Snooth! I'm a big fan of Italian wine as well. Last year I felt in ... di Montepulciano. Corte alla flora produces, to my opinion, the best of the best at a very raisonable price. See you aroun

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spun69 reviewed Flora Springs Soliloquy 2001:

October 2009

spun69

Had this in the cellar for a while. Really enjoyed it with turkey dinner. Notes of grapefruit. Quite tasty.

Flora Springs Soliloquy 2001

Starting at $28^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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Lindy Hemsley reviewed Zenato Lugana Villa Flora 2008:

October 2009

Lindy Hemsley

Lives up to its name with a floral fruit nose and palate (possibly jasmine?) Perfectly dry with a slightly bitter refreshing finish. Different and highly appealing.

Zenato Lugana Villa Flora 2008

Snoothrank: 3/5

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chefmama reviewed Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora Victoria 2006:

October 2009

chefmama

I love this wine. It is like drinking nectar. Soft, deep, honey and orange scents. Every time I go out of the US to a country that has this wine, I buy and bring it back. Wish it were available in the US.

Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora Victoria 2006

Starting at $20^.57 Snoothrank: 2.5/5

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