The 1960s who so wickedly said of her favorite cocktail:
“I love Martinis
Two are the most –
Three I’m on the table
Four I’m under the host.”;
Actually, we didn’t drink all that wine alone. We had plenty of help from the Wine Butler (Michael Pigeon), his wife (Judy) and some splendid neighbors and friends.
Here is the “Best of My White Summer Wine List”;. Next week we’ll do the reds. Salute@
Chardonnay
Franciscan Chadonnay: creamy texture
1. 2007 Franciscan Cuve; Sauvage, Napa Valley, $34 – A luxurious taste of mild hazelnut, lemon, and creme brulee. Velvety, elegant. Think Grace Kelly glamour.
2. 2009 Chateau St. Jean (Robert Young Vineyard) Sonoma, $25 – Aromatic, peach. Creamy vanilla taste and texture. Lovely finish.
3. 2009 Chateau St. Michelle (Indian Wells), Washington, $18 – Zesty fruits flow smoothly. Sumptious with Wine Goddess’ penne ala vodka and lobster.
4. Louis Jadot Bourgogne Chardonnay, France, $17 – Wonderfully clean and citrusy.
Sauvignon Blanc
1. 2009 Cloudy Bay, New Zealand, $22 – Wow, acidic but not stringent. Pears, lemon, grapefruit. Cool, refreshing, lingering finish. Pre-dinner delight!
2. 2010 Kim Crawford, New Zealand, $18 – Not a bad fill in for Cloudy Bay. Lemon, lime and grassy. Good balance.
3. 2010 Graziano, Mendocino Valley, $15 – A Tutto Bene spectacular! Very appealing with an orange trace finish. Had with scallops.
4. 2009 Sancerre, France, $24 – Steve (at Tewksbury’s Wine & Spirits) was right! Burgundy-style SB has a clean, brilliant taste. Scintillatingly fresh. Wish I had some oysters!
Riesling
1. 2010 Eroica, Columbia Valley, Washington, $19 – My, my, my… I can’t believe how good this is. Cool grapefruit, lime. Where do all the flavors come from? Divine.
Cloudy Bay: Sauvignon Blanc at his best
2. 2010 Dr. Loosen, Mosel Valley, Germany, $11 – Semi-sweet, lush fruit flavors. Great value.
3. 2011 Pacific Rim Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington, $10 – A Wine Goddess favorite, it enhanced a spicy Asian noddle-and-shrimp dish.
4. 2010 Hogue Cellars, Columbia Valley, Washington, $7 – Sweet and fruity, a treat with tangy BBQ ribs.
Other Top Whites
1. Zocher Gruner Veltliner, Edna Valley, California, $19 – Pears and peppery. Unique fruit taste. A keeper!
2. Avelda Fonte Vinho Verde, Portugal, $10 – Clean, apple, melon taste. Tiny bubbles but not fizzy. Paired well with goat cheese.
3. J Vineyards Pinot Gris, Sonoma Valley, $13.50 – Straw colored, crisp, whole range of citrus flavors. Enjoyable to the last drop.
4. 2008 Swallow Gewurztraminer, Oregon, $10 – What a steal! A white floral scent; a standup citrus taste. Ate with wedge salad and roasted chicken.
Read more at http://blogs.lowellsun.com/winenovice. Follow Jim Campanini on Twitter @suneditor.
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