SUMMER WINES
Risata Moscato d’ Asti
A steal at Costco for under $10!
The moscato grapes are hand piced and then gently pressed, filtered, stored and chilled to near freezing to prevent immediate fermentation. A favorite Italian white sparkling wine that is great with desserts or simply by itself. Slightly sweet, this gem has hints of peach, brioche and citrus. The low alcohol content at only 5.5% makes it a wine you can enjoy without fear of getting tipsy.
2005 Luna Vineyards “Freakout” Proprietary White Blend
$24.99 (If you can find it!)
This is Luna’s answer to the Caymus Conundrum: a white blend made up of oddball grape varieties, that somehow all comes together as a coherent, delicious whole. Grapes in question include Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Tocai Fruilano. It’s the wine equivalent of the jock, the brain, the popular girl and the weirdo all hanging out together and finding that they actually have something in common. This has zip, character, fruit, and a touch of nutty smoothness to finish things off. Plus, we can’t resist that disco tune rolling through our heads as we sip this…awwwwww, Freakout!
Caymus Conundrum 2005 $23
Conundrum is a refreshing white table wine for an afternoon picnic or late afternoon by the pool.
Aromas of peach/apricot and honeysuckle; flavors of apricot, green melon and pear backed by notes of tropical fruit and spicy vanilla; a lush, creamy texture; and a crisp, balancing finish with lingering notes of citrus.
The decision to bottle Conundrum with a twist-top has had a very positive response. Caymus believes this closure is the right tool to protect the aromas and flavors that developed in the vineyards, were preserved in the winery and bottled – an artistic creation.
Food Pairing: Goes well with shrimp, salmon and avacado.
Nora Albarino 2005 – $10
Bodegas Nora is a small 48-acre jewel of an estate that specializes in the prized Albarino grape, Spain’s most exciting and expensive white varietal. Nora is one of two Albarino wines from this sequestered estate; at Nora no lesser varietals need apply. Nora is a wine that springs from the banks of the Miño River, Galicia’s mighty waterway, which flows swiftly on the last leg of its journey through the mountains of northern Spain to the Atlantic Ocean. This is the real Galicia, a handsome rugged country that is known for its fine food as well as its wine.
Tasting Notes: The 2005 Nora Albarino is classic Albarino: highly aromatic, dry with balanced, medium body. An enchanting bouquet of peach, pear, and dried exotic fruits tantalizes the nose. And on the palate, this wine offers an even sharper image of Albarino, offering up a beautiful taste of exotic fruit, followed by a long, deep down mid palate that bursts with citrus and minerals with a refreshing finish.
Food Pairing: The 2005 Nora Albarino is best served with fresh seafood or fusion cuisine. Calamari, lightly sautéed or fried in a tempura like batter; Sautéed scallops; Spicy Crabmeat Salad; Thai spices pork or chicken, Vietnamese spring rolls and difficult to pair foods, such as asparagus.
