Sauvignon Blanc is one of the Northwest’s best wine secrets I
n the world of wine, Sauvignon Blanc is a noble grape, especially in its native France. In the Pacific Northwest, it is little more than an afterthought, which is too bad because the grape can produce deliciously crisp white wines that pair beautifully with regional dishes, especially seafood. Sauvignon Blanc is thought to have originated in either the Loire Valley or Bordeaux. Today, it is well known in both regions. It is often blended with Semillon for dry white Bordeaux as well as Sauternes, the famous — and expensive — dessert wine. The grape is equally famous for being a parent (with Cabernet Franc) of the king of wine grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon. More than a century ago, the grape was introduced to California, where it suffered from a poor reputation. In 1968, Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi renamed it “Fumé Blanc” purely for marketing purposes — and it took off in popularity. In recent years, Sauvignon Blanc has become most famous in New Zealand, where it produces a dry, crisp and wildly flavorful white
Exercise
Continued from page 4 best at this point in time. “Very little is understood regarding the molecular processes that contribute to enhanced brain health with exercise, or the impact that greater brain volume has on cognitive function,” said Dr. Kirk Erickson of the University of Pittsburgh, who worked on one of the studies. But he also pointed to some immediate implications. “Our findings suggest that the aging brain remains modifiable, and that sedentary older adults can benefit from starting a moderate walking regimen,” he said. Walking, not for the purpose of exercising but as a normal daily function, was the subject of another
NW Wines By ANDY PERDUE and eric degerman
wine. Alas, in Washington, Sauvignon Blanc has never been more than a minor player. Last year, about 4,300 tons were harvested, making it a distant No. 4 white wine grape behind Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Some also is grown in Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho. It’s too bad that Sauvignon Blanc has yet to catch on in the Northwest because it can produce a food wine that is superior to Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, especially when paired with salmon, halibut, oysters, scallops, chowders and grilled or steamed vegetables. Despite its rarity, finding a Northwest Sauvignon Blanc should not be too difficult, as some of the region’s largest producers (Covey Run, Columbia Crest and Chateau Ste. Michelle included) make the wine. Here are some Sauvignon Blancs we have tasted recently. Ask for them at your favorite wine merchant or contact the wineries directly. n Claar Cellars
study presented at the conference. It found older people’s slower gait could also be a symptom for mental decline. A reduced pace has always been considered as a natural part of aging. But the results of this study seem to indicate that being less swift and steady on one’s feet may be a sign that cognitive functions are suffering as well. This is potentially a new perspective for health care professionals who treat older patients with mental health issues. “People who are focused on cognition largely never watch people move,” said Dr. Stephanie Studenski, a geriatrician at the University of Pittsburgh who did not take part in the study. She was interviewed by the New York Times July 17. “The tests
2011 White Bluffs Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15: The Claar family harvested this lot on Sept. 28, and it hints at grilled peach, dried apple and pear with hints of honeycomb and toast. There’s a bit of weight to the drink and frothy acidity that makes it virtually bone dry. n Covey Run Winery 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $9: Aromas feature gooseberry pie, Meyer lemon, lime, peach and river rock. There’s delicious acidity to the drink that brings Key lime, lychee, more wet stone and some grapefruit tartness. Those who enjoy dry Riesling will also appreciate this. n Indian Creek Winery 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Snake River Valley, $12: The nose is filled with pleasing lemon/ lime aromas, backed by tropical notes of lychee and grapefruit. That grapefruit sets you up for the flavors, which include delicious fresh lime juice and a bit of slate. It’s nicely balanced and a bright expression of the variety that includes some citrus pith bitterness ideal for summertime fare such as ceviche.
n Cedergreen Cellars 2010 Spring Creek Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $14: This reveals aromas of green apple, vanilla and spice. What follows are flavors of papaya, apple and a touch of lemon on the crisp and lingering finish. n Bateaux Cellars 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $10: This wine would pair well with seafood, featuring aromas and flavors of gooseberry, Asian pear and quince. n Spangler Vineyards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Southern Oregon, $18: Aromas offer gooseberry, honeydew melon, pineapple grassiness, slate and a whiff of smoke. The palate comes loaded with star fruit, lime juice and yellow grapefruit pith, and its assertive acidity lingers. Enjoy with white asparagus soup or pumpkin bisque. n Kestrel Vintners 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $17: This opens with elegant aromas of sweet herbs, fresh hay, lemons and limes, followed by bright flavors of citrus and fresh herbs, all backed with lovely acidity. — Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman are the editors of Wine Press Northwest magazine.
are all done sitting down.” Simply by observing how older people walk could provide doctors with an additional tool for diagnosing impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease. Although the studies reported at the conference have yet to undergo peer reviews before being released for publication, they have already generated a considerable buzz in the medical community and beyond. The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference is the world’s largest of its kind and is sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, the world’s leading health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. — Read clinical dietitian Timi Gustafson’s blog at http://blogs.pnwlocalnews. com/timigustafson.
Friday, July 27, 2012
kitsapweek
page 5
‘Footloose: The Musical’ at Kitsap Forest Theater BREMERTON — Through “Footloose, The Musical,” Kitsap Forest Theater and its family audiences will explore familiar topics: family, community, morals, values and self-expression. The popular music of the 1980s film and new songs created for the musical adaptation will come to life on the forest floor of this outdoor amphitheater just west of Bremerton. The Mountaineers Players will present this toe-tapping show each weekend at 2 p.m. July 28 to Aug. 19. Synopsis: When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. “Footloose, The Musical” celebrates the wisdom of
Ren (Mike Bowers) and Ariel (Miranda Boulden) hang out in the small town of Bomont in ‘Footloose: The Musical.’ Kitsap Forest Theater
listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind. The production is suitable for all ages. For directions and tickets, visit www.foresttheater.com or call (206) 542-7815. Kitsap Forest Theater is one of the oldest outdoor theaters in North America and is owned by The Mountaineers, a 501c(3) outdoor recreation, education and conservation group based in Seattle. The theater is surrounded by a 460acre Rhododendron Preserve owned and maintained by the Mountaineers Foundation, a separate entity from the Mountaineers.
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