Monday, June 25, 2007

Three "WOW" Whites

Change, it's so darn interesting. Given a choice, red wine usually fills our glasses. But, over the past few years, and especially in the summer, we tend to reach for a chilled white.

Here are a few distinctly different bottles to try.

2005 Occhio a Vento Vermentino. This 100% varietal dry white wine is grown in the Rocca delle Macie's vineyards in Maremma on the SW coast of Tuscany. It is an aromatic straw colored wine that is slightly frizzante. Drink as an aperitif or with fish or vegetables.

2006 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This wine has classic characteristics of gooseberry, pink grapefruit and grassy herbaceousness. As the winner of the international aromatic wine competition, it is mouth filling with good texture and finish. It is ideally suited to asparagus, oysters and summer salads. Sealed with a screw cap, this is a perfect picnic wine.

The final white wine is the 2005 Raptor Ridge Pinot Gris from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Pinot Gris is a mutant clone of Pinot Noir. The color is pale straw with aromas of white flower blossoms, citrus, lychee and hints of honey. This wine starts fruity on the palate, then finishes with racy minerals. Pair with seafood, salmon with fennel, pork or chicken.

Embrace change and have your own "WOW" moment.