WINE
SIPS BY THE GLASS
New blooms for June These summer wines are light, bright and white.
by RANDA WARREN MS, CWE, AIWS, CSS*
M
Many things bloom in June — weddings,
gardens, parties, lake activities, picnics, and on and on. All of these blooms flourish with the onset of June’s beautiful weather and picturesque backdrops, but they truly come alive when enjoyed with crisp, refreshing summer white wines. Those include the first featured wine: Muscadet. Not to be confused with Muscat, Muscadet hails from the Nantais area of the Loire Valley in northwest France. Also called Melon de Bourgogne, it is the perfect seafood wine, especially with mussels, clams and oysters. Muscadet is bone dry with high acidity and sometimes a slight spritz — a sheer delight. Vermentinu comes from Corse Calvi in Corsica. It is simply mind-blowing in its pure fruit expression, high acidity and seductive nature. Corse Calvi is grown on a high-altitude plateau exposed to hot daytime temperatures, which contributes to ripeness in the grapes, and cool nights, which add verve and freshness to the wine. We have all experienced Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris as it’s often referred to outside of Italy. But have you ever blessed your tongue with the savory mineral flavors a Pinot Blanc delivers? It’s a little less intense and less spicy than Pinot Gris, but it has more stone (think chalk or slate) characteristics. It’s absolutely delightful and doesn’t get the recognition its siblings do. tþ
DIFFERENTLY DELICIOUS
MUST HAVE
WHERE’VE YOU BEEN?
2012 Domaine Maestracci Vin de Corse Calvi E Prove Blanc, Corsica, France — $19.99
2011 Eric Chevalier Domaine de L’Aujardiere Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu Sur Lie, Loire, France — $16.49
2012 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley, Oregon — $18.99
A menage à trois of lemon, pear and apple dance on your tongue with a slight hint of hazelnuts. Pure, freshly cut summer in a glass.
Savory mineral notes, plus This may be one of the driest creamy lemon and baked pear white wines you’ll encounter fill your palate and make you this summer. Think of this beg for more. It’s nice to have a wine as your squeeze of lemon blooming new wine to munch when savoring it with seafood. on this June. Very refreshing. Editor’s note: Prices current as of April 2014.
*Wine columnist Randa Warren is a Master Sommelier; Certified Wine Educator; Associate Member of the Institute of Wines and Spirits; and is a Certified Specialist of Spirits.
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