Well, we’re coming into that time of the year when the long weekends and (hopefully) good weather combine to make time for family and friends even more enjoyable. A good glass of wine
always come in handy; try any of the following to add to your summer enjoyment!
Banshee Rose, 2017, Mendocino, Sonoma,California, ($23.99),
This is what Food and Wine had to say:
“You’ll be hard-pressed to find a blend of Grenache, Grenache Gris, Barbera, Syrah, and Pinot Noir in a rosé format anywhere in the world. Bright and aromatic thanks to 100 percent whole-cluster pressing, with very limited skin-contact, each variety is tank-fermented separately under cool conditions to retain its steely freshness. A mélange of stone fruit and white floral notes mesh well with the tension and salinity found on the back end of the palate.”
This is an unusual Rose in that it has strong red wine flavor with a white wine texture; you’ll be able to enjoy it with grilled steak or salmon and everything in between.
On the French end of things, from one of Provence’s top producers, comes the 2017 Chateau Routas Rosé, Provence, France, ($18.99). I think you’ll love it; have a chilled bottle of this Routas and enjoy a platter of assorted charcuterie, some French Picholine olives, and crusty bread with a couple of disks of Cabecou de Poitou cheese. Some days, that’s all we need. If you’re not hungry yet, it’s a delicious apéritif, all by itself. If you’re in the mood for more, the lovely ripe fruit, floral notes and perfect minerality of this Provencal treasure pairs deliciously with grilled shrimp, roast pork, fish, salads and even roast turkey! This Chateau Routas is terrific with a light meal of tarragon grilled shrimp over a composed salad. Throw on some grilled asparagus and a lemony vinaigrette and you can’t go wrong. Grilled pork tenderloin with an apple-ginger chutney will bring out its fruit like a pro. If you didn’t start with the delicious Cabecou de Poitou, it is a wonderful close to what will surely have been a memorable meal. Venez nos amis! Buvons un peu de Rosé!
Located on the Northeast coast of Spain, just north of the Portuguese border, Rías Baixas is home to the famed white grape varietal Albariño. These deliciously refreshing whites typically offer aromas of peach, apricot, and melon, backed by a steely minerality and a lean, crisp finish. It’s a wine that I’ll be writing more about as we go through the summer, because it’s not only a value, it’s also more available in the U.S. in both original Spanish and California versions.
It’s been said that people in Spain’s Galicia region sometimes have oysters and wine for breakfast. If you’re ever in that part of Spain, skip the toast and orange juice and go for some bivalves and an Albariño from Palacio de Fefiñanes, ($22.99). Based in the seaside town of Comados (the birthplace of Albariño), this is one of the oldest wineries of the region, and their experience shows. Made from grapes grown near the Atlantic Coast, the wine tastes of the sea and has a lovely streak of salinity. It’s bright, refined, and sharply focused with a gorgeous wet-stone minerality and notes of pear, white peach, and lemon.
As I mentioned earlier, although Albarino is a white grape traditionally grown in Spain and Portugal, it’s been gaining in popularity in California as a refreshing, crisp, and fragrant “alternative” varietal. It’s well- suited to growing in moderate to warm climates and produces a delicious accompaniment to Mediterranean cuisine.
Vineyards in Arroyo Seco are subject to strong afternoon winds and early morning fog. These cooling influences create one of the longest growing seasons in North America, yielding grapes with fully developed flavors and bright acidity. The fruit for the 2017 Morgan Albarino, Monterey, California, ($22.99), is sourced from the Mission Ranch vineyard in the Arroyo Seco AVA. Here, daytime temperatures reach the mid to upper 80’s but are mitigated by fog and wind drawn south from Monterey Bay. The moderate days and cool evenings extend the growing season, resulting in fruit of superior flavor and balance. The 2017 Albarino displays a beautiful straw color with aromas of lime blossom, honeydew, and guava. On the palate, these elements are joined by flavors of lemon and lime. This is a medium- bodied white which is delicious as an aperitif, or for pairing with your favorite pasta, seafood, or grilled chicken dish.
-Talk to THE WINE GUY at jdris8888@gmail-
