50 in 50 #1: Oklahoma — Nuyaka Creek Winery
By Lenn Thompson
When you think of Oklahoma, what do you think of? I think about college football, the New Orleans Hornets (who played most of their games in Oklahoma City this season) and the musical that shares the state’s name.
I don’t think about wine. Do you?
Maybe we should, there are over thirty wineries in the Sooner State, including Nuyaka Creek Winery, which is located in the town of Bristow in northeastern Oklahoma.
Owners Dianne and Pete Jones make wine from a variety of fruits, including apples, pears, chokecherries, elderberries and peaches, but also from classic vinifera grape varieties like merlot, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.
The Nuyaka Creek name is well known in wine blogging circles, especially for those who have visited the . It’s run by Pete and Dianne’s son, Thomas.
When Thomas had his folks send me a couple bottles of their non-vintage merlot, he told me via email, “Although (I’m) not a real wine taster, I find the lighter body of dads merlot to be awesome!” Thomas’ contention that he’s not a “real wine taster” is another topic for another post, but his dad’s merlot is one of the most unique I’ve ever tasted.
“Lighter” is a great way to describe this wine, which is made 100% from estate-grown grapes. Looking at it in the glass, I’d never guess it was merlot. Slightly opaque and medium-light ruby color, I’d peg it for a pinot noir if you held a gun to my head.
Instead of the typical merlot scents of blackberry, black currant and black cherry, this wine offers intense but simple strawberry jam aromas.
The palate is light-bodied, extremely low in tannin, with a subtle effervescence. The straightforward strawberry character that reminds me of the strawberry soda I used to love in my youth is joined by faint grapey notes on a medium-short finish.
Clearly, this wine hasn’t spent much (if any, which is my guess) time in oak and is meant to be enjoyed young and fruity. It could probably also handle thirty minutes or so in your fridge for enjoyment with chicken BBQ.
This isn’t a wine to brood over and take copious notes about. It’s simple and beyond unique. Charming in a way.
Visit the website or the to learn more about wines from the Sooner State.
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