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Archive for category Whites

Wine of the Day – Viura

Jan 25

Posted by greatWineSource in Spain, Whites, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for January 25, 2010

Viura

Viura grape

Origin

This grape grows well in hot climates, and because of that is believed to have originated in the Middle East. However, since others also believe it originated in Aragon, Spain, it is included in Spanish week.

Style

This white grape prefers to be grown in dry, warm climates (hmm, I wonder if it would do well in Arizona), and in southern France is often made into a fortified wine (similar to Port). Viura itself as a wine should be drunk young.

Characteristics

Viura produces a light, dry and easy wine with floral bouquet and light straw color. Isn’t this image of the grape amazing? It is a beautiful picture all on its own!

Pairing

Whether you find a Viura varietal or a blend of white Rioja, enjoy this
Wine with yogurt, garlic dip, tapas and grilled fish.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Albariño

Jan 24

Posted by greatWineSource in Spain, Whites, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for January 24, 2010

Albariño

Starting out in a new week of grapes, I think I’ll focus on the Spanish originating grapes. Why? No special reason, other than I can live vicariously through my blogs since I haven’t had the opportunity to travel to these regions myself … yet!

Albarino

Origin

Albariño is called “wine of the sea” because it originates in northwest Spain in the Rías Baixas region, along the Atlantic coast of Spain. It is also grown extensively in the Monção region in northwest Portugal.

Style

Albariño is a white wine grape that thrives in the cool climate of the northern region of Spain and Portugal. This small green grape is thought to be related to Riesling.

Unlike many other European wines which are labeled after the region in which they are grown, Albariño is labeled as the grape (e.g. tempranillo grape creates Rioja wine and is labeled in Europe as Rioja).

Characteristics

This grape produces a golden color wine, with aromas of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle similar to Viognier and Gewürztraminer, along with strong floral notes and a crisp acidity.

Pairing

Enjoy this wine with fried chicken, seafood pastas (lighter sauces) and tilapia.

Bunco party

As I mentioned in the post yesterday, I had a Bunco game at my house last night: lots of food (yummy sushi from Koreanas in Appleton), beverages and of course, we did play Bunco. I opened a Pinot Grigio, Muscat and Cabernet Sauvignon instead of the Misti Bianco, so I’ll have to let you know at a later date (after 1/28) more about the Misti Bianco.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to play Bunco, find a game. It is great fun and gives you a chance to win a little money too!

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Friulano

Jan 23

Posted by greatWineSource in Italy, Whites, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for January 23, 2010

Tocai Friulano

In my wine club this month, I received a wine called Misti Bianco, a blend of Tocai Friulano, Pinot Grigio and Arneis, all white grapes from northern Italy. So, in the spirit of Italian week, I thought I’d continue the theme with a bit of information about Tocai Friulano.

Tocai Friulano grape

Origin

Tocai Friulano, originates in the Friuli region of Italy and is now called simply Friulano inside the European Union. To avoid confusion with the Hungarian dessert wine, Tokaji, Italian exports must now remove the Tocai from its labels. This grape is also known as Sauvignon Vert out of Chile.

Style

Tocai Friulano is a white grape producing wines similar to Sauvignon Blanc and has been confused with Sauvignon Blanc because of similar leaves and clusters of the vines and its susceptibleness to noble rot. However, where is more aromatic with strong herbal notes, Tocai Friulano is softer, with more floral flavors.

Characteristics

You will find this wine with the color of straw, aromas an flavors of almond, apples, nuts, sweet herbs. It has soft acidity with medium body and balanced flavors.

Pairing

Enjoy with lighter foods such as braised vegetables, fish, antipasto, brie or havarti cheese.

I have a Bunco game at my house tonight and will be sharing the Misti Bianco. I’ll let you know tomorrow how it goes.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Trebbiano

Jan 18

Posted by greatWineSource in France, Italy, Whites, Wine of the Day | 1 Comment

Wine of the Day for January 18, 2010

Trebbiano

Trebbiano grapeGood Monday morning everyone! With the beginning of a new week, we may be yearning for the weekend again, so I’ll start out the week on a light note (with a light Trebbiano), giving us time to warm up to working again. :)

Origin

Trebbiano originated in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and likely gets its name from the river Trebbia and is the most planted grape in Italy. This same wine has migrated to France where it is known as Ugni Blanc. In the U.S., you may find this style in California wines, but you will more likely find it as a blend of white wines than on its own.

Style

Trebbiano has high yields and unremarkable qualities and can be fresh and fruity, but should be enjoyed while young. This grape is also the dominant grape used in the production of high quality Cognacs.

Characteristics

Trebbiano produces a dry, very pale wine with high acidity and a clean finish. You may notice aromas of citrus and an unassuming light almond finish.

Pairing

If you are enjoying Trebbiano on its own, you will want to pair it with light foods, such as fish and light pastas. Cognac can be enjoyed on its own in small sips after dinner.

In ancient times, Trebbiano was thought to be a lower class wine by the upper class, and was popular with the Roman army, likely because of its availability (being the most planted grape in Italy).

The wonderful thing about wine is the opportunity to try and find so many different styles, and to be able to share the experiences. So, whether try this wine itself with its light, dry style or whether you try it as a Cognac, I hope you enjoy it with friends!

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Sauvignon Blanc

Jan 15

Posted by greatWineSource in California, France, Whites, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for January 15, 2010

Sauvignon Blanc

White Chicken Chili — that’s what I made for lunch today. At my full-time job at Alternative Solutions in Sheboygan, we had “soup week” where each day someone brought in a different soup. Today, a co-worker and I brought in Chili: she brought in red chili and I brought in White Chicken Chili. So, as I was making it and putting the ingredients together, I was thinking of what wines would pair well with it (I happen to have a few bottles in my overhead bin at work).

Sauvignon Blanc grapesWell, Chenin Blanc will actually pair nicely with White Chicken Chili, and so will a nice light Sauvignon Blanc. Read on for more info on this elegant and adaptable grape and follow through to the end to see what wine will pair well with your red Chilis.

Sauvignon Blanc is an earthy wine, commonly generating aromas of grass, and as mentioned in previous blogs, is used as a blending wine with Sémillon to create a Meritage or Sauterne wine.

Sauvignon Blanc originated in Bordeaux and its name refers to “savage white”, so when you drink a Sauvignon Blanc, you can picture yourself as enjoying a wild white wine, which is one of the reasons I’m going to enjoy it with the White Chicken Chili. Researchers have recently discovered, and this is amazing to me, that Sauvignon Blanc – a white grape – is a parent grape along with Cabernet Franc to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wines from this widely-planted grape should be fresh and crisp, with grassy aromas and citrus flavors. Other foods you can pair with this bright wine are shellfish, summer salads, Havarti cheese and I like it with green olives.

Alternative Solutions is a fantastic company, developing software solutions for small to medium property and casualty insurance companies. They are so supportive of my wine business and have often had wine tastings in the office. When we have food weeks or festive lunches, we crack open a bottle of wine or beer (wine for me, thank you, even with a last name of ‘Brewer’). I will be enjoying a Sauvignon Blanc with the White Chicken Chili and those who will enjoy the red Chili could pair it with Zinfandel or Sagrantino de Montefalco. What is Sagrantino di Montefalco you ask? You’ll just have to check back on another day.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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