We couldn't believe our eyes; a Pineau D'Aunis from California. Less surprising was the fact it is one of Matthew Rorick's 'Rare Creatures.' Matthew's 'Forlorn Hope' wines feature pretty regularly in this Blog. They are right up our street. Matthew has gor our number; he finds unusual varieties in old Californian vineyards and makes always delicious but small quantities for those of us who don't want just another Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or God forbid Pinot Noir. However, this comes from the Rorick Heritage Vineyard so is presumably something that Matthew planted there.
Part of the excitement is how to get our hands on Forlorn Hope wines. Les Caves de Pyrene were importing some of them. A Dutch company did so too. No one was taking any interest in ths Pineau D'Aunis called 'Valentin.' So a challenge. 'What to do?, what to do?' as Mel Brooks might have said.
By chance a close family member was planning a trip to the Santa Cruz area so we were able to buy a bottle of Valentin (mysterious choice of name !) and have it sent to him there.It all worked out well and he was able to bring it back to London in his luggage - no tax payable.
We'll need to find a good opportunity to open it and will report back with our impressions when we do.
Note: Valentin was the code name the Nazi's gave to the submarine pens and factory in Bremen. Matthew worked on US submarines when in the navy, but this is not a likely reason to call his Pineau D'Aunis Valentin
The meaning of Valentin (from the Latin) is 'worthy, strong or powerful.'
Goethe's Valentin is the vengeful brother of Margarethe in 'Faust.' Also in Gounod's opera of course but not in Schnittke's 'Historia von D. Johann Fausten' and in Busoni's Doktor Faust is only called The girl's brother, a soldier.'
The drawing of a (big cat?) skull with flowers growing out of it is also enigmatic.
Doesn't ring any bells really.
Valentin is a synonym for both Vermentino and Roter Veltliner. That can't be it.
Then there is St. Valentine of course. Maybe this?
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