Really loving this Sauvignon Blanc from the Touraine AOC in the Loire Valley of France. With my wine study, I try and taste varietal wines from different parts of the world to see and taste the differences.
Wow…what a really pretty wine. Nice lemon citrus notes with a hint of apricot and green grass. Love the lush mouthfeel combined with zippy acidity. I prefer this style Sauvignon Blanc over the more grassy, tart New Zealand styles.
Cheers!
Breaking all-time summer heat records is getting old. But I am surviving with some great crisp, dry and refreshing white wines. Tonight, I tried, for the first time, the 2010 Lucky 7 Sauvignon Blanc from Maule Valley in Chile. Unlike last week’s New Zealand number, this one does not hit you upside the head with grassy, herbaceous notes.
You get LOTS of lemon and lime citrus on the nose and palate, with a touch of tropical, honeysuckle flavors. It’s smooth, creamy and a bargain at less than $15. This is my lucky night (you know that was coming….).
The good folks from Nine Walks Wines from Marlborough, New Zealand recently sent me a bottle of 2010 Sauvignon Blanc to taste. Being a white wine girl, I was delighted to check out this wine.
It’s very much a New Zealand-style Sauvignon Blanc, with lots of citrus, some green apple and grassy notes, but it surprised me with a pleasantly sweet touch on the tip of my tongue and a rounder mouthfeel than I expected, yet it finished dry and crisp.
For $11, a great value wine. I’m not a huge fan of the big green, grassy notes on a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but I would keep this wine handy for my friends who can’t get enough of it. It’s perfect for summer and Lord knows, I don’t see summer ending anytime soon here in Austin, Texas.
I love it when out-of-towners go Texan and buy boots or a cowboy hat. Now, that’s the spirit.
At the kick-off reception for TEXSOM, I met the owner of Mercer Estates, Rob Mercer, who had just purchased a new pair of cowboy boots when he landed in the Lone Star State. Mercer Estates is a family-owned Washington State winery making outstanding wines. I enjoyed both their Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay (both under $20). In fact, I tasted so many great Washington State wines during TEXSOM that I think it’s time to plan a visit.
Below is Rob (in the cowboy hat) and his buddy Ron Harle with Renaissance Wine Marketing.
Other wines I enjoyed at the Pappas BBQ reception include these two Chardonnays from Australia’s Yering Station (Yarra Valley). Both had notes of citrus, with nice minerality and a crisp finish. I really dug these wines.
I can hardly lift my arms tonight thanks to @DavidGarza1 who kicked my a$$ tonight during Total Conditioning at Lifetime Fitness. But I have managed to take a few sips of Cameron Hughes Lot 217 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
Classic citrus fruit with a nice softness that makes this wine feel so good in the mouth as it finishes dry. The best part of this wine — under $15.
Cheers!
A look at wines -- including many Texas wines -- as well as restaurants that serve regional wines. I am a Certified Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine.
For my day job, go to www.deniseclarkePR.com
