White

• Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay
• Dr. Loosen Red Slate Riesling
• Château Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc

Related posts:

1. California Wine Country Day 1 – Napa Valley
2. California Wine Country Day 2 – Sonoma
3. Saying Goodbye to Summer

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:  Chardonnay with a touch of Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  71% California; 29% North Carolina
Cost:  $11 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes:  Yellow/green in color with aromas of tropical fruit, pineapple, peach, persimmon, and mint. In the mouth the wine is fresh and fruity with a touch of butter; a smooth wine with a medium body. Pairs well with seafood, chicken, pasta, and light dishes.

My Review:  I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure what to expect out of this bottle. Not only did I not know what the percentages on the blend were (though I’d make a rough guess that the Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc account for less than 10% of the wine), but blending two grapes not just from different regions in a state, but from different states, seemed odd to me.

The wine was rather dark in the glass, a nice robust yellow and on the nose I got the typical Chardonnay notes of tropical fruit and pineapple. In the mouth I got more of the tropical notes with just a hint of citrus that I’ll chalk up to the “touch” of Sauvignon Blanc in the wine. Some of the wine had seen barrels, but I was pleased by how soft the finish on the wine was, especially given my wife’s distaste for oaked Chardonnay.

Paired with a dinner of grilled chicken that had been liberally seasoned and some asparagus the overall crispness of the wine did a nice job of cutting through the bit of heat on the chicken. After the food was gone it was enjoyable enough to sip on. All in all the wine wasn’t a total disappointment, though I’ll also say it didn’t really grab my attention. I think my wife summed it up best when she described the wine as “not bad” with a shrug.

If you want to give the Biltmore Chardonnay Sur Lies a try and can’t find it in your local store, you can follow this link and order it online.

Related posts:

1. Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay 2009
2. CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
3. Biltmore Reserve Viognier 2010

Well, the end of summer isn’t that far away, so when I was recently sent a mixed case of summer white wines, it seemed a shame to sit on them and try to go through them each individually as I would have quickly run out of summer by the time I was able to get to them all. With that in mind I invited some friends over, opened up all the wines, and tasted them all at once, because let’s be honest, that’s what summer’s really all about. Here’s what I thought.

The first one I tasted was the 2010 La Fiera Pinot Grigio (SRP $8). I got mostly apples on both the nose and the palate with a nice lingering finish with just the right amount of acid. There was a slight hint of sweetness to my palate, but for being the first one I tried, it was a good start and it’s a good value for these kinds of parties.

Next up were two from Tiamo. First was the Tiamo Prosecco (SRP $15) which had a hint of citrus on the nose with medium sized bubbles and a slight bit of yeast on the palate and a mix of crisp fruit. This was definitely not a super-dry Prosecco and it was quickly consumed by my friends.

The other was the 2010 Tiamo Pinot Grigio (SRP $12) which I found to have some citrus on the nose and apple and lime in the mouth. It was nice and crisp with just a hint of effervescence to me, a trait I find I enjoy this time of year.

From Argentina I had some Santa Julia wines, starting with the 2010 Santa Julia Pinot Grigio (SRP $10), which had notes of tropical fruit and banana, which I think added a hint of sweetness on the finish of the wine.

Next was the 2010 Santa Julia Innovacion Torrontes Pinot Grigio (SRP $11). This was actually a 1L bottle and is a Whole Foods Exclusive “Summer Top 10 Wine” and was certainly one I was interested to try given my growing enjoyment of Torrontes. I got notes of orange peel on the nose and floral notes in the mouth with a slight almost petrol note. For the price this is a good value and an interesting combination (90% Torrontes/10% Pinot Grigio) that I think I’d like to see more of.

Finally from Santa Julia was the 2011 Santa Julia Organica Chardonnay (SRP $11), which is made from 100% organically grown Chardonnay grapes. On the nose I got green apple and pineapple, with the pineapple carrying through to the palate. There was a nice finish to it that was at once both crisp and long tasting. This is a stainless steel wine for those that have an aversion to oaked Chardonnay (you know who you are).

The first of three Rieslings that I had was the 2009 Dr. H. Thanisch Riesling Classic (SRP $18) which had a nice minerality with peaches, grapefruit, and a nice crisp, dry finish. There was a subtle sweetness to this one, which at least to my palate was the driest of the three and one I’d be interested to pair with some spicy Thai food.

Next was the 2009 Heinz Eifel “Shine” Riesling (SRP $10) which was slightly sweeter than the previous Riesling and had flavors of green apple. I could still probably drink this one with the right meal, but again I’d want some kind of spicy Asian cuisine to go with it and cut through the sweetness.

The final Riesling was the 2010 Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Noble House Riesling (SRP $12). With an aroma of apple and honeysuckle, petrol, and some minerality in the mouth it was also the sweetest of the Rieslings and featured a lemon/sour note that wasn’t off-putting, but neither was it great.

Up next was the 2010 Biohof Pratsch Gruner Veltliner (SRP $14). This was probably my favorite wine of the night and is a great value considering the bottle was 1L. Made from organic grapes, there was apple on the nose and a fresh, tangy dry minerality in the mouth with just a touch of white pepper. I kept going back to this one all night and was sad to see it gone.

The 2010 Fire Road Sauvignon Blanc (SRP $12) was one I had actually seen in stores a few times but never picked up. Might have to now. Aromas of gooseberry an herbal note were nice, but on the palate I was really intrigued with this wine that was nice a dry with flavors of stone fruit and what was debated as being either nettles, tomato vines, or just “green”. Either way, I really liked this one.

The final wine of the night was the 2010 Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Sauvignon Blanc (SRP $16). Like the Fire Road, it was from New Zealand, and like the previous bottle it featured similar aromas with some grapefruit coming into the mix and some of the nettle/tomato vine/green. A touch of a mineral note on the palate was welcome as well.

All in all this was a great selection of wines. The Rieslings weren’t terrible, even though when I first received the wines I’ll admit I cringed at the sight of three German Rieslings – my memories of growing up in Germany tasting sickly sweet German Rieslings are hard to get over.

I really enjoyed the Gruner Veltliner, this being my first real experience with it, and the two New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs had intriguing aromas and flavors that make me want to see if this is something about that particular vintage in the region or just something those winemakers were doing.

There’s not a single one of these wines that I would tell somebody to avoid like the plague, but if I had to pick one to buy it would be the Gruner Veltliner with the two Sauvignon Blancs closely following.

Related posts:

1. Whole Foods Market Offering Summer Wine Deals
2. Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio Reserve 2010
3. Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Varietal:  77% Sauvignon Blanc; 20% Chardonnay; 3% Marsanne
Region:  Columbia Valley – Washington – USA
Cost:  $14

Winemaker’s Notes:  Bright, lively aromas of ripe pear, grapefruit peel, caramel apple, and orange blossom. The palate is lean, angular, and well defined, emphasizing the virtues of structure and elegance.

My Review:  I don’t think I’ve made any secret to my enjoyment of Sauvignon Blanc over the past few years, which is why when I received a box of samples from Hedges Family Estate, I was happy to see a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, especially since I couldn’t remember having one from the state of Washington. I’m always looking to try new things.

In the glass the wine was somewhere between golden and straw – not really a dark yellow, but not really a light yellow either. On the nose I got light citrus and the orange blossom that was advertised, or at least I associate the aroma I got, a sort of floral citrus note, with orange blossom.

In the mouth the flavors were subtle and, for lack of a better term, lean. Maybe I’ve become too accustomed to South American Sauvignon Blanc, especially those from Chile, but while there was some citrus, I didn’t get that punch of lemon, lime, and grapefruit that I’m used to. Instead I got more of the orange blossom and a bit of the Chardonnay came through both my wife and I in what seemed like an oaked flavor, even though the bottle says it hasn’t been oaked (and I believe them).

Paired with a dinner of seasoned tilapia and some scalloped cheddar potatoes the wine did a good enough job of cutting through the heat of the seasoning we put on the fish. Now, as to the million dollar question of whether or not I would recommend it.

I personally like the big citrus punch I get from South American Sauvignon Blanc. I don’t know if the lack of that hit in this wine was indicative of how the grape grows in Washington, was a result of the blending, or was something else. I didn’t categorically dislike the wine, but it wasn’t my favorite. Now, that being said, if you don’t like the citrus hit of Sauvignon Blanc but are still in the market for a light wine that’s good for the last bit of heat we’ll see this summer, this wine may in fact be what you’re looking for, and at $14 it’s certainly not going to break the bank to give it a try.

Related posts:

1. Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009
2. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2009
3. Charity Case Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Varietal:  100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  New Zealand
Cost:  $11 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes:  Complex aromas of fresh asparagus, zesty green pepper, and sunshine-warmed box hedge are contrasted by lighter, brighter top notes of honeydew melon and juicy lime citrus. Made to be enjoyed while young and fresh; we recommend drinking this wine over the next 12 months.

My Review:  Wow, it almost feels like I haven’t done one of these in forever since I’ve been so busy with formal tastings and the 2011 North American Wine Bloggers Conference, which is a shame because these really are why I started this site. Anyways, I digress.

I’d received the 2010 Nine Walks Sauvignon Blanc as a sample last month and while it had been sitting in my fridge, reminding me that it’s hot as hell outside in Virginia in July and that it would do a great job of taking the edge off the heat, I just didn’t quite get around to it. Finally this week I did.

The wine was darker in the glass than I expected, though that’s not to say it was weirdly dark – more of a dark straw color than anything. The nose was a bit light, with aromas of citrus and a hint of “green”, both of which carried through to the palate where I even got the lingering tease of effervescence.

Paired with a dinner of pesto tilapia and risotto with roasted red pepper and fresh basil it was a nice light, crisp, acidic counter note to the fish and risotto. Was this a life-altering/life-affirming wine? No, not even close. Was it a good value to keep around the house during the hot months for pairing with light meals or just enjoying on the deck? You bet.

If you’re a fan of New Zealand wines or are just looking for an affordable white wine to pour at your house during the hot months, you can do a lot worse than the 2010 Nine Walks Sauvignon Blanc, so it’s worth checking out.

Related posts:

1. Sirius Bordeaux Blanc 2010
2. Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2010
3. Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Varietal:  82% Pinot Grigio; 8% Pinot Blanc; 5% Sauvignon Blanc; 5% Gewurztraminer
Region:  California – USA
Cost:  $11 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Note:  An enticing aroma of fresh ripe pears with appealing peach, vanilla, and spice scents adding complexity. A pretty wine with a round, creamy palate and crisp entry, it has the typical tonic water, pear, and floral grassy notes that culminate into a lush, silk-textured finish inviting pairings with food. Enjoy with crab cakes, California sushi rolls, grilled chicken breasts, pasta primavera, or Caesar salad.

My Review:  Some time ago I drank far more Pinto Grigio than I do now. Part of that had to do with my tastes leaning towards lighter wines than the more full-bodied ones I enjoy now, especially when it came to white wine. Because of that, it’s been some time since I’ve actively gone out and really decided to pick up a bottle of Pinot Grigio – not because I have anything really against it, but more because I tend to gravitate to other white wines first instead. When I received the sample of 2010 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Grigio I was actually kinda excited as it gave me a chance to try a Pinot Grigio that I probably never would have bought on my own.

I had enjoyed the 2009 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc that arrived at the same time as this Pinot Grigio, so I was looking forward to the wine when my wife and I decided to open it up with some dinner last week, especially since it was a blended Pinot Grigio which I found to be intriguing.

On the nose I got peach and a hint of citrus and in the mouth the wine was light and crisp with a flavor that I had a hard time putting my finger on until I was glancing over the tasting notes again and had the “aha” moment when I saw tonic water listed. I don’t drink tonic water drinks so it didn’t quite jump out at me.

Paired with a dinner of grilled chicken basted with a honey-mustard mixture and some roasted red potatoes it wasn’t bad, but to be perfectly honest, I couldn’t stop comparing it to the Sauvignon Blanc I’d had a few days earlier and it just wasn’t as enjoyable to me.

While $11 isn’t a lot to pay for a wine that’s not patently terrible, I feel like that if you’re going to pick a light, crisp white wine from Robert Mondavi, for the price, you’d be better off with the Sauvignon Blanc. That being said, if you want to try this wine and it’s not available at your local store you can follow this link and have it shipped to your home or office.

Related posts:

1. Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2010
2. Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc
3. FlipFlop Pinot Grigio 2010

Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California – USA
Cost: $11 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: Lemon/lime with freshly cut grass and floral notes on the nose. The flavors of the same family with a nice acidic backbone. The acidity leans to the citrus side making for a very food friendly wine. Enjoy this superior Sauvignon Blanc with crab salad, calamari, prosciutto-wrapped pears, and roasted chicken.

My Review: I don’t think it’s any surprise when I say that I really enjoy Sauvignon Blanc, especially this time of year as the weather gets progressively hotter and (at least here in Virginia) more humid and having a nice crisp wine is a near must have.

While I’ve grown particularly fond of Sauvignon Blanc from South America in recent years, I’m certainly always looking to expand my wine horizons, so I was happy to receive a sample of the most recent vintage of Robert Mondavi’s Sauvignon Blanc. Relaxing with my wife this weekend with a lunch of munchies, we opened up the bottle to give it a try.

In the glass the wine was light yellow with almost a hint of green to it when the light hit it just right. On the nose I got citrus and while I don’t know that I would go so far as the winemaker to call it an aroma of freshly cut grass, it certainly had a “green” aroma to it.

In the mouth the wine had a good acidity to it with the citrus from the nose carrying over as well as the sensation of “green” that I got on the nose. Paired with a lunch that included cheese and crackers it was a nice refreshing wine that was as enjoyable with food as without, though I agree with the winemaker’s notes that this would be a great pairing with some crab or calamari.

This time of year I pretty much always recommend Sauvignon Blanc to anybody looking for a white wine that’s light, crisp, and versatile, and while a good part of my heart still belongs to the Sauvignon Blancs of South America, I would absolutely buy this one and recommend it to anybody looking for an affordable Sauvignon Blanc that you can probably find in your local store.

If you can’t find the 2010 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc in your local store, simply follow this link and you can have it shipped to your home or business.

Related posts:

1. Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc
2. Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009
3. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Last night I had the chance to participate in a Twitter tasting of several white wines from Virginia. These wines were geared towards the summer (and if you’re not from Virginia believe me, it’s getting hot), and for those participating from outside Virginia, were a small hint of what to expect in July during the 2011 Wine Blogger’s Conference being held in Charlottesville. Here’s what I thought.

2010 Keswick Vineyards Verdejo

I’d never had a Verdejo before (at least that I remember), and I wasn’t aware that anybody in Virginia was making one. The wine was very light in the glass, nearly clear, with a little bit of citrus on the nose and a nice subtle citrus flavor on the palate with just the tiniest bit of petrol on the finish, though I think I was the only person that got that so maybe I was just hallucinating. I didn’t pair it with anything, but a few people during the tasting recommended pairing it with goat cheese which I could definitely see being a good pairing. This would make a great deck wine thank to how light it is and while $18 is a little more than I usually pay for a wine that I just sip on the deck, it’s not outrageous either.

2010 Veritas Sauvignon Blanc Reserve

As a fan of both Sauvignon Blanc and Veritas Winery I was ready to try this one. Light yellow in the glass with a hint of sweetness on the nose which fortunately did not carry through to the palate. In the mouth the wine was a nice blend of citrus and tropical notes but without the hard acid bite on the finish that I sometimes associate with Sauvignon Blanc. $25 is a bit much for me to pay for a Sauvignon Blanc, but it is a Reserve and it was very good, so it’s certainly not a waste if you spend the money on it.

2010 Boxwood Topiary Rose’

I had the chance to taste Boxwood for the first time back in February at a dinner for Taste of Loudon and so I was pleased to see them in this selection as I enjoyed them in my previous experience. The 2010 Topiary Rose’ was a medium-dark pink in the glass with a hint of an almost orange color running through. I didn’t get too much nose from it, though there was some strawberry and dried fruit. In the mouth the strawberry and dried fruit carried through with a touch of mineralality – a trait in light wines I’m coming to enjoy the more I experience it. This was one of my two favorites for the evening (the other being the Veritas Sauvignon Blanc), and at a price of around $14 it’s a great value for a summer wine.

2010 Jefferson Vineyards Viognier

Our first Viognier of the night was bright yellow in the glass (I mean it looked like a yellow highlighter). I got mostly apple on the nose and in the mouth a lot of honeysuckle and tropical flavors that gave it the feeling of sweetness. Mind you the wine only has .65 residual sugar, but I got that impression either way. This was definitely a wine that I wanted to pair with spicy food to help cut the sweetness of the wine. This was probably my least favorite wine of the night, especially when you factor in that it costs $25 a bottle.

2010 Chrysalis Viognier

Ever since Taste of Loudon I’d been wanting to visit Chrysalis and while I haven’t had the chance yet, I was happy to get to try the newest vintage of their Viognier that I enjoyed so much at that dinner. The wine was light yellow in the glass with a subtle floral aroma that carried through to the palate with a subtle lavender note on the finish coupled with a hint of sweetness. I liked this one better than the Jefferson Vineyards Viognier and it’s certainly what I would call a more “typical” Virginia Viognier. My only complaint is that at $29 it’s kinda pricey.

2010 Lovingston Petit Manseng

Our final wine of the night. The 2010 Petit Manseng from Lovingston was bright yellow in the glass with a waxy, footy aroma that I’ll admit was a bit odd. However, this didn’t carry over into the palate where the wine had notes of pineapple, some effervescence, and a sweetness that wasn’t syrupy, but would have made me guess that the wine had more than 1% residual sugar if I hadn’t had the tasting notes. That said, this would be a good pairing with some curry or other spicy food and is a great value at around $14 for anybody that prefers sweeter wines.

I want to thank John at the Wine Cellar for hosting, and all of the organizers for putting together another great event. This tasting made me even more ready for the Wine Blogger’s Conference in July. If you’re on Twitter and want to learn more about Virginia Wine, you should check out the hashtag #vawine and #wbc11 as you’ll be seeing those pop up more and more in the coming months.

Related posts:

1. Virginia Wine Tasting
2. Virginia Wine Country Day 2
3. Virginia Wine Expo 2010 in Review

Varietal: 50% Semillon; 50% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: France – Bordeaux
Cost: $12

Winemaker’s Notes: An elegant pale yellow colour, green at rim, with a nose of white blossom and citrus fruit, these aromas melting into the ample, supple palate. A discreetly fizzy sensation imparts vibrancy and freshness to rich, fleshy extract. Pairs well with chicken and seafood such as shellfish.

My Review: On a recent trip to my local Fresh Market, there was a small selection of wines (2 wines to be specific) being poured. One was a Malbec blend, and the other was the 2010 Sirius Bordeaux Blanc. Impressed enough with it and the price, I grabbed a bottle to take home to my wife. I’m thoughtful that way.

We actually opened the bottle first on Sunday and enjoyed a glass on the deck while getting some sun and reading, but make sure to save some for dinner the next night to pair with some pesto tilapia with risotto and sauteed spinach from the local farmer’s market. On the first day I got a lot of the Sauvignon Blanc aromas that I would expect, lime and grapefruit mostly, and even in the palate at first I started to question whether the bottle was lying to me on it being a 50/50 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, but instead of the citrusy, acid finish that I’ve come to expect from even the most mellow of Sauvignon Blancs I got a more subtle mineral note that was quite refreshing, especially on a hot afternoon on the deck.

The second day, when paired with dinner, the mineral note was more subdued, but the same citrus notes that I’d experienced the day before came out and made a great compliment to our dinner, adding a light note against the richness of the risotto and and the pesto.

My only complaint with this wine was that the mineral note didn’t carry over very well after the bottle had been open for a day (though properly sealed and stored away). That being said, this was a great deck wine for a hot day and a great pairing for some seafood or light hors d’oeuvres during a cocktail party. If you’re looking for a new white wine to try and you’re already a fan of Sauvignon Blanc I would recommend giving this one a try. If you can’t find it near you, follow this link and you should be able to have some shipped to you.

Related posts:

1. Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009
2. Charity Case Sauvignon Blanc 2009
3. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2009