Trivial Facts About Wine
Text by Gene Betz • Photography by Jim Wells
Some useful…some not so much…You decide.
1. I’m always amazed at how particular many people are about what they drink and what they refuse to drink. For many years our serious wine enthusiasts refused to drink any of the great dry rose’s we offer. “I don’t drink pink wine” they’d say. White Zinfandel ruined the rose’ market for many years. Luckily for all of us, Branjoli managed to convince us that rose’s can be pretty darned good with the right meal/weather.
Now, where was I going with this? We have so many clients that shy away from sparkling wines and I always wonder why. A good sparkling wine is an amazing accompaniment to all sorts of foods and there’s really no good reason to avoid them. Those that come from Champagne can legitimately be called Champagne but don’t discount those from other parts of the world that are made in the same method. They can be spectacular and are generally offered at a much better price. Come in and let us show you a few of our favorites.
2. The Dog Days of Summer Wine: You know, when it comes to drinking wine, I’m no slouch. As a matter of fact, hardly a day goes by that I’m not tasting some wine, drinking wine with my dinner, or sipping that last glass on the deck or veranda (oh, how I love that word). I love red wines the best. But, when we get into the dog days of summer, red wine can be too much weight and alcohol. Even white wines high in alcohol and heavily oaked can be too much when the mercury hits triple digits. This is the time of year when I often head towards a well-iced beer and for me, the colder the better. But if I’m really in the mood for wine, I don’t think any whites out there hold up to being well-chilled better than a great, crisp Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
I’ve read that, when really cold, all white wines taste like Riesling. And, while I don’t actually subscribe to that philosophy myself, I do believe the bold New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs hold up better at lower temperatures than most of the other whites we have available. At 28 degrees New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs will still deliver a stellar nose and intense flavors. They will be concentrated and complex, with vivid citrus flavors. Vibrant minerality and tangy lime juice acidity keep thumping through the finish.
So, if you’re looking for something to try this summer with a crisp chicken salad or grilled fish, don’t hesitate to give New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc a try. I call it a white wine for red wine lovers.
3. And, when I’m just plain thirsty, I will drink New Age white over ice with a splash of lime all day long.
