A vibrant and rhythmic white blend, Big T'ings echoes the exuberant energy of a Jamaican dancehall, both in flavor and in spirit. For this label, we were inspired by the iconic hand-painted signs that once lined the streets of Kingston. These signs were a bold declaration, a visual shout-out to a culture that transformed simple lettering into a powerful form of expression. Like the signs, the wine is a joyful explosion of flavors, a testament to the artistry of blending disparate elements into something harmonious.
The label's design pays homage to the collection of Jamaican film director and producer, Maxine Walters, whose work has been profiled in Vogue and The New Yorker. Walters has collected these iconic pieces of Jamaica's history from light posts, walls, bridges, and down hillsides, documenting her collection in the book, "Serious Things A Go Happen: Three Decades of Jamaican Dancehall Signs." These signs were more than just concert ads; they were declarations of community, celebrations of life, and affirmations of identity. They transformed ordinary spaces into pulsating hubs of music and dance, their lettering imbued with a rhythm and energy that mirrored the music itself. Big T'ings, with its bold red lettering, attempts to capture this same spirit. It's a direct nod to a 2009 Stone Love concert sign found in Walters' collection, and an overall tribute to the raw, unapologetic aesthetic of these pieces of art.
Inside the bottle, the wine itself is as dynamic and captivating as the label art. A blend of Riesling, Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, and Gewürztraminer, it's a testament to the diverse terroirs of California. The Riesling, sourced from the windswept Kick on Ranch in Los Alamos, provides a backbone of acidity and aromatic complexity. The Grüner Veltliner, from North Canyon Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, adds a touch of herbaceousness, and the Albariño and Gewürztraminer, both hailing from McCormack Ranch in Solano County, contribute a burst of floral aromatics and the aptly found tropical fruit character that shines bright at the forefront.
Our winemaking team employed whole cluster pressing and a mix of stainless steel, used French oak, and terra cotta fermentation. The phenomenal result is a wine with a slightly creamy texture and a vibrant, invigorating palate. Aromas of fresh guava and pineapple leap from the glass, reminiscent of the lush vegetation and climate of Jamaica's Blue Mountains. On the palate, the dub rhythms of this wine move to a delicious beat, evoking the flavors of Tropical Skittles, followed by a zesty lime note that cuts through the richness. On the finish, there is a lingering note of white peach, leaving you wanting more.
With its rich texture and bright tropical notes, Big T'ings would be aptly and ideally paired with some traditional Caribbean dishes: West Indian curries, jerk chicken with rice and beans and fried plantain, ackee and saltfish, a Trinidadian roti, or fish escovitch. Don't feel like cooking? You can't go wrong with a classic Jamaican meat patty. This dynamic blend should hold itself up to deep spices and flavors of these dishes, but is also perfect enjoyed on it’s own accompanied by a light warm breeze and your feet weaving through yellow sand.
