The Cellar: Great Summer Sippers

Friday, August 21, 2015

Steffen Rasch, GoLocalWorcester Wine Writer

It is hot out there! And if you are anything like me you have been sipping white wine like water this past week. The following two wines are great thirst quenchers I urge you to seek out.

I have said it before, and I will say it again – the Portuguese make some of the best values in wine, period! Whether you are talking about their rich and luscious fortified wines, their earthy and rich reds or their fresh and delicious whites, you can always count on Portugal. A great example is this week’s first featured wine – a delicious, inexpensive white from the northernmost Minho region. This region is named after the river Minho that not only serves as the border between Spain and Portugal, but has been a crucial water source, trade and transportation route for centuries. The regions location close to the Atlantic coastline ensures a climate well-suited for agriculture, including viticulture.

Quinta da Lixa’s 2013 Alvarinho named ‘Pouco Comum’ is absolutely delicious – not mention a great value at $15ish. This is a lush and tropical wine; on the nose as well as on the palate with exotic fruits like star fruit and cantaloupe coming into mind. Thankfully the alcohol is restrained and the citrus fruit on the long finish is high enough making this wine well-balanced and inviting another sip. Chill, open and enjoy.

This week’s second recommended wine is a Sauvignon Blanc based white blend from Napa Valley’s Franciscan Estate. They have been making wine at this iconic Napa based estate since 1975. Should you be in the area consider visiting the gorgeous winery which is open for tastings all summer long. While especially well-known for their reds, Franciscan also makes some stellar white wines; among them the well-priced Equilibrium.

The exact makeup of the Equilibrium depends on the growing condition of the vintage. The ’14 vintage is made from 72% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from Franciscan’s Oakville based Estate vineyards with 17% Chardonnay and 11% Muscat. Not only is this wine a blend of grape varieties, it is also a blend of winemaking techniques as 83% of the wine underwent fermentation in stainless steel tank with the remainder having undergone barrel fermentation. The resulting wine is a delicious, complex mouthful of ripe peaches, nectarines and pears wrapped in a gorgeous, medium-bodied frame. There is a distinct and mouthwatering zip to the finish of this wine with long-lingering peaches and citrus. This wine is a definite crowd pleaser as it offers something for every white wine lover. You can probably find this for around $20.

If you love wine and want a wine experience a tasting out of the ordinary, consider attending this Sundays blind tasting at the Providence Wine Academy. The theme of the evening is Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rosé with participants tasting 10 wines from all over the world. Visit the Providence Wine Academy website for more information.

Cheers,

Steffen Rasch is a Certified Sommelier and Specialist of Wine. Feel free to email him at [email protected] with any wine-related questions.

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Hardwick

Hardwick Vineyard & Winery

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Westport Rivers

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

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417 Hixbridge Rd, Westport, MA. (508) 636-3423.

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Coastal Vineyards

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61 Pardon Hill Road, South Dartmouth, MA.

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Amherst Farm Winery

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529 Belchertown Road, Amherst, MA. (413) 253-1400.

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Nashoba Valley WInery

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100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, MA. (978) 779-5521.

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Mill River Winery

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498 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, MA. (978) 432-1280.

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Black Birch Vineyard

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155 Glendale Road, Southampton, MA. (413) 527-0164.

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Taylor Brook Winery

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Obadiah McIntyre Farm

Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery

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44 Old Worcester Road, Charlton, MA. (508) 248-7941.

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Puttney Mountain Winery

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8 Bellows Falls Road, Putney, VT. (802) 387-5925.