Archive for the ‘white table wine’ Category
Odds are pretty good that while in your wine shop you’ve seen wine labeled as table wine. What does that mean though? Is it a generic term or are there requirements? What’s a good use of table wines and how do you pick one out? Can things not labeled as “table wine” be used for the purpose?
What Is Table Wine?
Depending on where you live table wine can mean a lot of different things. Here in the United States it’s a wine made from grapes with a maximum alcohol by volume content of 14%. Other than that there’s not much that determines what is or isn’t a table wine and it’s somewhat left up to the vineyard or winery to determine whether or not they want to label their wine as a table wine.
In Europe the standards are a bit more stringent with different categories of table wine existing within the overall “table wine” genre.
The holidays are upon us and if you’re anything like me you’re about to enter into a heady mix of family, friends, and other relatives for dinners, parties, and just to catch up. Times like these call for wine. Lots of wine. Thanksfully, Cheapism.com did some research to come up with a list of the best budget reds, whites, and sparkling wines that are perfect for this time of year. Here’s the list they came up with:
White
- Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay
- Dr. Loosen Red Slate Riesling
- Château Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc
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.
Varietal: Pinot Grigio
Region: California – USA
Cost: $6
Winemaker’s Notes: Light-bodied, crisp white wine with aromas of pear, lemon, and honey.
My Review: While doing some grocery shopping with my wife recently, we walked down the wine aisle at our local store, as we are wont to do, and the line of Naked Grape wines caught my eye. Priced under $10, I thought I would give it a try if for no other reason than to see what the newest sub $10 wine tasted like
Varietal: 98% Chardonnay; 1% Muscat Canelli; 1% Malvasia Bianca
Region: California, USA
Cost: $11 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: The nose reveals lemon blossom, pineapple, and peach aromas with smoky oak nuances along with enticing vanilla spice and toasty brown sugar flavors. The creamy, mouthfilling palate creates a lush impression and is balanced by a rich, lingering finish. Enjoy this delicious wine with rich seafood, poultry, pork dishes, white-sauce pastas – like fettuccini Alfredo, or flavorful, softripening cheeses.
My Review: I’m always wary when a Chardonnay sample shows up at my house as my wife has a distaste for oaked chardonnay, whereas I enjoy them – it makes buying Chardonnay tricky in the house. While she’s willing to try pretty much anything I pour into a glass for her, I prefer to give her things I know she’ll enjoy, so with her out of town, I took the opportunity to open the bottle of 2010 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay since I knew it had spent time in oak and didn’t want to trouble my wife with it.
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Charlottesville – Virginia – USA
Cost: $14
Winemaker’s Notes: Aromas of honeysuckle, pineapple and citrus herald this clean crisp wine. Notes of caramelized pear, melon and peach are followed by a smooth, subtly sweet finish. Aged 5 months in French and American oak.
My Review: I don’t think it’s any secret by this point that I’m a fan of the wines produced by Blenheim Vineyards and their winemaker Kirsty Harmon. Because of that, during the Virginia Wine Expo back in February, my wife and I made sure to grab several bottles of wine from the Blenheim booth, and last night we opened up one of them to go with our dinner.
