19th May 2022

An Introduction to Conundrum Wine

  • Red Wine
  • White Wine
  • Wine
An Introduction to Conundrum Wine

The Conundrum History

Here we are again- realizing just how small the wine-making business is. It seems like Caymus Wine is connected to just about everything. No really, everything- Conundrum Wine being part of that everything.

Conundrum Wine started as an experiment. Charlie Wagner Sr., the man, the myth, the wine-making genius started this experiment 25 years ago. The idea, back then, of mixing wines hadn't become a thing yet. At dinner, Wagner and his wife and son would mix wines to find the perfect pairing for their dinner. This blending dinner time experiment began in 1972. Conundrum Wine was born in 1989, all because of some dinnertime fun.

Conundrum Wine keeps it pretty simple. They've got two categories, White or Red.

The Conundrum White was the first release in '89. It wasn't until 2011 that the Conundrum Red made its first appearance.

Now, Charlie Wagner II, the grandson of Charlie Sr., is the man in charge, and he's the perfect man for the job.

What's better than quality wine at an affordable price?

Conundrum White

White Wine Winemaker

John Bolta is the Conundrum White winemaker. When he graduated from college, he started working for Caymus Vineyards. He was on the bottling line but later helped Chuck Wagner with wine-making. In 1988, he became the winemaker for white wines. A year later, Conundrum Wine had launched.

Varietals & Region

With a blend of five different varietals, the Conundrum White is a combination of exotic and playful, but it's also balanced and approachable. Straight from the luscious wine-growing regions of California, The Conundrum White is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscat Canelli, and Viognier. These Californian regions include Napa, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Solano Counties. Each varietal gets treated differently to help preserve its individual qualities.

Taste & Pairings

With flavors of apricot and pear and notes of pineapple and mandarin orange, Conundrum White is crisp and fruity with a dry finish.

Conundrum White pairs well with just about anything you can think of! It's a rare occurrence when a wine pairs well with everything. It's balanced and versatile. Bolta's favorite Conundrum wine pairing is Thai food or anything that comes from the sea.

Conundrum Red

Director of Winemaking

Charlie Wagner is the man behind Conundrum Red and the director of wine-making at Conundrum Wine. As we already know, Charlie comes from a long line of Napa Valley farmers and winemakers. In 2003, he took over production for Mer Soleil Chardonnay. In 2011, Conundrum Red was launched. He's an avid believer that the perfect grape doesn't make the perfect wine. Complexity does.

Varietals & Region

The Conundrum Red Blend is a blend of several varietals, including Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Much exploration had to take place for the team to find the California regions for the job.

Taste & Pairings

The flavors in the Red Blend are decadent. They include chocolate cake with coconut shavings, nutmeg and clove, and smooth tannins. The scent carries a background of toasted oak and combination of fresh fruits, including plum and a subtle touch of nectarine.

The Red Blend pairs exceptionally well with Asian and Indian food. It also pairs well with Mexican cuisine and anything that's tossed on the grill. Charlie Wagner's favorite food pairing with the Conundrum Red is a little different. He thinks a Bánh mì, a Vietnamese sandwich, and its spiciness goes well with a chilled glass of Red. Order delivery and enjoy a relaxing night with a glass of wine.

Liquorama

Looking for a bottle of Conundrum Wine? Well, what's better than quality wine and store shipping?

Check out our liquorama website to check out our availability and wide selection of other wines and spirits!