house of the dragonthe much hyped prequel too game of Thronescomes to HBO and HBO Max on August 21. The series is based on the book by author George RR Martin. Fire & Blood. It takes place 200 years before the events of game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen.
That’s good news for GOT fans, but even those who don’t see the show can enjoy House of the Dragon wines, a new line of products made and produced by Seven Kingdoms Cellars, a division of California-based Vintage Wine Estates was bottled.
Wines on offer include an Oregon Pinot Noir, a California Cabernet Sauvignon, and a red cuvĂ©e from California’s Lodi appellation. The mark uses a different winemaker for each grape variety and region to create wines that represent each appellation.
This partnership is another collaboration between Vintage Wine Estates and Warner Bros. who have also teamed up for a range of wines game of Thrones Wines released in Spring 2019 ahead of last season’s debut. Here’s what you’ll be drinking if you decide to pair the new House of the Dragon series with a bottle of red wine.
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House of the Dragon 2021 Pinot Noir
A fine example of Oregon’s signature varietal, this Pinot Noir is sourced under the direction of winemaker David O’Reilly in equal parts from four different wine regions – Applegate Valley, Illinois Valley, Rogue Valley and Willamette Valley – and in a fruit-driven style .
The grapes were fermented in a combination of small open fermenters and stainless steel fermentation tanks with selected yeasts propagated from wineries in Burgundy. Pressed in the final days of fermentation, it was aged for eight months in a combination of small French oak barrels and larger stainless steel tanks.
The garnet red wine has aromas of tart red cherry and cranberry followed by subtle earthy and savory notes. The palate is medium-bodied, with silky textures and bright red fruit, slightly darker in profile than the nose. It’s 13.5% ABV.
House of the Dragon 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Nancy Walker commissioned several California wine regions to source the fruit for this Cabernet Sauvignon to create a rich and complex final blend. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for nine to twelve months and finished in ex-bourbon casks for a further three months. This last step gives a bolder and more intense character.
At 14.4% ABV, the wine is dense and jammy, with notes of cherry tobacco and creamy vanilla leading to a long, mouth-enveloping finish.
House of the Dragon 2020 Red Wine
Located just east of San Francisco on the edge of the Sacramento River Delta, the Lodi appellation is known for its Mediterranean climate, distinct sandy soils, and old vines.
To create this red blend, winemaker Tami McKay drew on the classics – it’s a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Verdot and 8% Malbec. It is aged in French oak casks for nine months with medium toast to smooth the rough edges and is bottled at 13.9% ABV.
The wine is velvety and dark in color, with aromas of cocoa, cranberry and blackcurrant. Rich maple, dark red fruit, toffee and creamy caramel follow and coat the palate before ending with layers of dark berries and coffee.
House of the Dragon wines are available online and in select retail locations across the country. The Pinot Noir, Red Blend, and Cabernet Sauvignon are a reasonable $20, so you can sample one or pick up the entire offering.