Toad Hollow Sonoma County Dry Rosé of Pinot Noir 2011

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Hot, humid and miserable has given way to breezy, cool andwonderful, at least for this morning anyway. Hey, I’ll take whatevercomfortable weather I can get. Forecast temps of 104 degrees by the end of thisweek has me questioning, “What happened to our beautiful, cool mountain air?”The heat and humidity in the afternoon are like Florida temps. Can’t complain too much, wedeal with it for about two and a half months while they deal with it for ninemonths.

I will tell you this; the heat has me opening more crisp andrefreshing wines than I can shake a corkscrew at. My latest, Toad Hollow’s 2011 Sonoma County DryRosé of Pinot Noir “Eye of the Toad” provided much needed relief from the heatbut has the ability to warm my heart as well.
Floral, strawberry and peach aromas. Flavors of acidicunripe white peach and strawberry with a long and pleasing finish.
Varietal: 100% Pinot NoirAlcohol: 11%
TA: 0.74 g/100ml
pH: 3.61
RS: .117%
SRP  - $11.99

The Pinot Noir grapes for Eye of the Toad are sourced from Sonoma Countywhere cool evenings and mornings give way to warm sun filled days. The grapesare able to ripen slowly allowing for the full flavors to develop.

I’ve written a lot about Toad Hollow (click here) and the passion and drivetwo friends shared. Dr. Toad aka Robert Todd Williams and The Dancing Badgeraka Rodney Strong started the winery in 1993 after retiring. The premise was tomake fine wines at affordable prices.
It’s said Dr. Toad’s larger than life personality overshadowed his famous brother Robin Williams. Maybe that’s why Robin is so zany,just trying to get his share of the attention. 
Dr. Toad aka Robert Todd Williams passed away in 2007.According to his obit, his goal was to discount wine snobbery and make wineinteresting. Hmm, I hope that’s what I accomplish with my posts to all of youeach week too.
The Dancing Badger aka Rodney Strong, was an early pioneerof Sonoma County’s wine industry.  Strong was a successful dancer beforeretiring and taking on the title, winemaker. In 1959 he established Sonoma County’s13th bonded winery in 1959.
Toad Hollow not only speaks to the kid in me with theirwonderful illustrations and story but also speaksto me as a wine lover. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, wine is forsharing. Whether it’s a glass celebrating friendship, a wine to share over ameal with family or just a way to end your day; wine makes everything special.
Speaking of special, I’m so excited about my upcoming tripto the Wine Blogger’s Conference in Portland, OR, I can hardly contain myself.I’ve booked my hotel for an extended stay at McMenamins Crystal Hotel and will be stayingat The Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, another McMenamins hotel.
Not a plug forMcMenamins, just love staying at off the wall, boutiques versus the corporatemainstream names and these both look like places I’ll have a really good timeat. After those two, I will be heading to a corporate national chain generichotel for the conference but at least there will be wine!
As always, cheers to Toad and Badger!
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