Wine Talk by Art of the Table
September 8, 2010
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...Not that we are complaining by any means. Typically this time of year, we see a decline in white wine sales. People seem to think it's becoming fall. Fall!!! It's still summer y'all. As I'm typing this, the sun is shining brightly through the window, the buzz from the air conditioner still finds it's way into my ear, and I know when I leave tonight, it will still be light outside. It's summer, at least for a little bit longer.
The kids may be back in school, but a cold and refreshing bottle of delicious, mouthwatering white wine can still be in the fridge just waiting for your enjoyment.
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Domaine Des Cassagnoles
Gascogne, France
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| This is refreshing redefined. The nose is first hit with ripe peaches and grapefruit, then melon, fresh herbs and faint fresh cut grass. The palate is quite different. Mouthwatering green apple with peach, mineral and a faint whisper of smoke...wait, smoke? Yep, it's subtle, but we all noticed it and loved it. Besides, the salmon are going to start their run here in Michigan soon, and I can't think of a better wine than this for fresh caught salmon cooked over a campfire with potatoes, wild rice and fresh herbs.
$10.75
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Legado del Conde Albarino, Spain
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Spain has been an unintentional theme on our wine racks here at Art of the Table this year. There are so many great Spanish wines lately, we just keep getting overly excited about them. This white wine was no different. It blew us away. The problem is, we forgot to do a good job of telling you about it this summer.
Going through the shelves today, I had a memory of how great this wine is. Beautiful yellow-gold
in color, and hues of lemon zest, pear and honeysuckle on the nose. Citrusy, but mineral driven in the mouth, we
find juicy citrus, bitter fruit pits, dusty minerality and a super clean and
dry finish.
Shellfish dishes with
minimal butter will really highlight this great wine. Instead of butter all together, use something like the Olio Verde olive oil for flavor. It's a really peppery olive oil that will do wonders combined with this wine.
$19.75
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Honig Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, CA
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| I was really not excited to try this wine the first time it was presented to me. But I was sitting across the table from the winemaker himself, Michael Honig. I've always really enjoyed his Cabernet Sauvignon and his story of being a young man (22 years old) turned winemaker to save the family vineyard has always resonated with me.
All that said, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc isn't usually something that interests me. But graciously, I stuck my nose in the glass and was blown away! This was good wine from the get-go. Sharp aromas of grapefruit and blasting herbs came billowing out, but the balance was that of a French Sancerre. It was acidic, but it had a big mouth feel. It was citrusy, yet it was balanced by a touch of spice and well structured herbal tones. All in all, the wine was...and is outstanding. It is something I could just sip on at the end of the day, when the chores are done, and you get those desired 15-20 minutes in your favorite chair, with your favorite slippers and something in your glass that will make you take a deep breath, sigh and smile.
Shocking to me...but this wine is just that good.
$18.25
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