Varietal:  22.7% Malvasia Bianca; 15.9% Gruner Veltliner; 15.7% Sauvignon Blanc; 9.2% Gewurztraminer; 7.9% Riesling; 7.3% Chenin Blanc; 6.1% Muscat Canelli; 5.2% Viognier; 4.5% Verdelho; 4.4% Albarino; 1.1% Pinot Gris
Region:  California – USA
Cost:  $10 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes:  Big House wines are a rebellious mix of non-traditional grape varieties destined to give the imbiber a new experience. To wit this year’s prisoner is a captivating blend of aromatic whites that span the distance of the Alps themselves. With a nose that carries the vibrancy of spring and white flowers and lychee fruit that surround the senses. The palate opens up to tropical fruits, dried apricot, and white peaches. This wine finishes strong with a cleansing citrus zest that lingers. Pairs with fresh fish, Asian cuisine, or even Sunday morning fruit salads.

My Review:  I’m a big proponent of tables wines, and I feel as though that’s a niche that Big House wines has embraced and possibly even tried to make their own. Looking at the list of wines that are put into the bottle it’s almost disappointing to not see one labeled “kitchen sink”. There are times when a wine can try and do too much and end up falling flat, and while I’m not going to go so far as to proclaim the 2010 Big House White an amazing wine, for a $10 table wine, you can do a lot worse.

On the nose I didn’t get much, though some of the white flower aroma did come through. In the mouth there were competing flavors of citrus and honeysuckle and dried apricot that gave this just overarching tropical fruit flavor that was light and somewhat refreshing. Paired with a dinner of chicken and cheesy potatoes the wine was a nice counterpoint to the bit of heat that was in the seasoning on the chicken and to the thickness of the potatoes.

I’d be lying if I said this was a life-altering wine, but as $10 white table wines go, it’s average at worst. If you’re looking for a light white wine with tropical notes and a hint of some of the sweeter varietals you’d be remiss to at least not consider the 2010 Big House White.

Related posts:

1. Big House “The Birdman” Pinot Grigio 2010
2. Big House Unchained Naked Chardonnay 2009
3. Big House Cardinal Zin 2009

Varietal:  White Table Wine (Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Moscato)
Region:  California
Cost:  $9.99

A light white with bright flavors and a soft, subtle, floral finish to it that will pair well with most any white meat.

Recommendations:  My father gave me this wine as my mother and he have become fans of both this and the red partially due to the price, and also because of the versatility of the wines.  I’d seen it in stores before, and even talked it over with my boss (whom blushes at even the thought of ordering it), but had yet to order it myself.

My wife and I paired this light white with a meal of honey-lime pork cutlets and bacon-cheddar risotto.  The sweetness of the honey on the pork was a nice compliment to the floral finish to the Menage a Trois, as was the richness of the risotto.

I’m not going to claim that the Menage a Trois white is an amazing wine that everybody should rush out and buy a case of, but as white table wines go, it’s actually very functional and versatile, which is what you want from your table wine.  If you’re looking to be blown away, you won’t be.  If you’re looking for a light wine that will pair with a Thursday evening dinner or out on the deck, you can’t miss with this inexpensive white.

Related posts:

1. Alandra Red Table Wine
2. Tarara Winery Long Bomb Red Table Wine
3. Ingleside Blue Crab Blanc