White Wines for
Warm Weather…my favorite ABC Wines!
Special to the Wichita
Eagle, Summer 20023
I drink lots of Chardonnay year round; my recycle bin will document that. But sometimes, especially when it starts to warm up I am in need of an ABC wine, ABC meaning “Anything But Chardonnay.”
There is more than one hundred different grape varieties
cultivated in California alone. You
are probably familiar with the “Big Six” – Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir
for reds, and of course Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling for the whites.
You owe it to yourself to discover some of the others, especially this
time of year.
What we Americans lack in wine history and tradition, we
more than make up for in our exuberance for new and different wines.
We like to experiment with different flavors and textures and there are
lots of choices. You won’t find
the vast array of labels on wines other than the big six, but there are some
great ones, and you will be doing your part by purchasing some of these lesser
known varietals to ensure there continued production.
Following is a brief description of a few of my favorite ABC
grapes and some of the aromas and flavors you can expect from each.
I have listed them below by body style, from light to full.
Depending on wine maker technique and growing region you can find a vast
array of style variance, all part of the fun.
Chenin Blanc: A grape that has spent much of its
American life in jugs or blended with others, Chenin Blanc has historical roots
in Frances Loire Valley. Some of
the French regional names you may remember are Vouvray (Voo-Vray) or Coteaux (Coh-Toe).
Chenin Blanc from South Africa is known as Steen.
While still used in blending jug wines, there are a few west coast
producers making some enjoyable wines with Chenin.
Look for aromatic floral aromas, with hints of ripe melon and tart green
apple, honey and pear. Light bodied
with a finish from dry to sweet depending on region and style.
Pinot Gris: Also
known as Pinot Grigio in Italy, where it’s bone dry and high in acid, this
grape, while grown in several west coast regions, has found an American home in
Oregon. Usually fermented in
stainless steel with no oak, Pinot Gris tends to have vivid fruit character with
subtle hints of pear and light citrus aromas.
Light to medium bodied, usually with balanced acidity and a crisp dry
finish, a great aperitif or seafood wine.
Semillon: Often
blended with Sauvignon Blanc, especially in the great whites of Bordeaux,
Semillon is able to stand alone with winemaker care.
Can be made in a rich almost Chardonnay like style with barrel
fermentation. Washington state
produces some of my favorite Semillon. Aromas
of light toasty oak with hints of rich honey, melon and apple pear flavors.
Viognier: The
premier white grape of the Northern Rhone Valley, Viognier makes the prestigious
wines of Condrieu and Chateau-Grillet. Viognier has gained popularity on the west coast in the last
decade. Often characterized by
exotic fruit aromas with a rich honey suckle nose, some will display decided
tropical notes of peach and apricot often enhanced with subtle oak.
Pinot Blanc: An ancient mutation of Pinot Noir, known in Italy as Pinot Bianco and made most famous for me, in the Alsatian region of France; Pinot Blanc from the west coast is often likened to a lighter version of Chardonnay. Many years ago it was even bottled in California as “Pinot Chardonnay.” The perfect ABC wine, similar chardonnay characteristics but often silkier and lacking pronounced oak, you may encounter notes of baked apple, caramel, toasted grains and a finish with melon and flinty mineral tastes.
Invite some friends over and have each bring one of the wines listed and make a tasting party. All of these wines are perfect for warm weather and great with lighter seafood, mussels, chicken and seasonal herbs. Make a light wine sauce with the one you choose and let The Good Life roll!
When you next visit your local wine merchant, bring along the side bar list I have included and get off the beaten path. I have added a couple of fun blends as well. As you have heard me say before, so many wines so little time – Enjoy.
2000
Hogue, Columbia Valley Chenin Blanc - $10
2000
Erath Vineyards, Oregon Pinot Gris - $14
2000
L’Ecole No. 41 Seven Hills Vineyard l
Walla Walla Valley, Estate Semillon - $21
2000
Bonterra Vineyards, Mendocino County Viognier (Organic) - $20
1999
Wild Horse, Monterey Pinot Blanc - $16
2001
Pine Ridge, California Chenin Blanc/Viognier - $12
NV
– 6th Edition Sokol Blosser “Evolution”, Dundee Oregon - $14
(A unique blend of 9 different varietals;
off dry with a lush tropical nose and crisp finish)
Can you name all nine?
Email guy@goodlifeguy.com with questions or comments