This is my happy time of year. The days are long, the weather is warm, and I’m including more white wine in my sipping rotation. Today we have five white wines from around the world that are perfect for summer. You may enjoy them so much you’ll want to sip them all year long like I do. We received these wines as tasting samples.
2017 August Kesseler R Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau — pale yellow in the glass with slight effervescence. Generous aromas of petrol, pineapple and dusty minerality are followed by flavors of ripe stone fruit and pineapple. The slightly sweet (off dry) finish is clean thanks to good acidity. 10% abv. SRP $15
What began as a small, six-acre vineyard established by August Kesseler’s parents in 1924 has expanded, under his guidance, to 80 acres scattered over some of the best sites in the Rheingau.
Riesling for this wine is grown in estate vineyards in Lorch, Rüdesheim, Hattenheim, Erbach, and Eltville. Each lot is vinified separately in stainless steel to maintain individual character.
2017 Gradis‘Ciutta Pinot Grigio, Collio — straw-blush color in the glass with aromas of stony minerality and dried herbs along with a hint of ripe pears. Flavors of melon, stony minerality, damp earth, hints of spice finish with a grating of citrus zest. The flavors, while not overly fruity, are interesting. Best on day one. 13.5% abv. SRP $21.99
Collio DOC is a crescent-shaped region on the eastern edge of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The region lies adjacent to Slovenia and has a long history of quality white wine production.
Robert Princic, together with his parents Isidoro and Ivanka, have accumulated 62 acres of vines in the villages of Dolegna del Collio, Capriva del Friuli and Gorizia all in the province of Gorizia.
Pinot Grigio (100% in this wine) is grown is various vineyard locations and vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel with aging on the lees until bottling.
2016 Domaine Delaporte Chavignol, Sancerre — straw color in the glass with aromas of dried hay and ripe pears. Flavors of stone fruit, dried hay, hints of cedar and citrus zest finish with a tart sensation. Elegant and refreshing. 13.% abv. SRP $33.99
Domaine Delaport has passed from generation to generation since the 17th century. The family farms 80 acres of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir in the village of Chavignol in the heart of Sancerre.
The Chavignol range of wines are blended from the domaine’s various plots planted on flint and limestone soils. Fermentation took place in stainless steel followed by aging on the lees for three months.
2016 Tenuta di Fessina Erse Bianco, Etna — dark straw color in the glass with earthy, smoky aromas along with dried hay. Complex flavors include smoke, minerals, grilled stone fruit and pineapple. This wine has nice weight in the mouth and texture too. Very interesting. 12.5% abv. SRP $24.99
Tenuta di Fessina is located on 17 acres of vineyard in the village of Rovittello on the northeastern side of Mt. Etna. Additional vineyards are located between Santa Maria di Licodìa, to the south of Etna and Milo to the east. These various vineyard sites take advantage of the varied soil types and growing conditions around Mt. Etna.
This white blend consists of 90% Carricante and 10% Catarratto & Minnella, all indigenous to the region. Vinification took place in stainless steel before aging 6 months in the bottle.
2018 Reyneke Vinehugger Organic White, Western Cape — straw color in the glass with intense aromas and flavors that include white flowers, apricots, pears and other stone fruit. The flavors finish with citrus pith and nice acidity. 13% abv. SRP $14.99
Reyneke has distinguished itself in South Africa as the first wine farm to be certified Biodynamic by Demeter International. The farm, which was purchased by the Reyneke family in 1988, is situated in the Polkadraai Hills above Stellenbosch.
The Vinehugger (don’t you love the name?) range of wines is sourced from organic vineyards around the Western Cape. The Chenin Blanc for this wine is sourced from organic vineyards 20 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in a semi-arid region and is an excellent value.
Fermentation with native yeast took place in 80% in stainless steel and 20% in concrete egg and seasoned oak barrels. The wine was aged on the lees for six months before bottling.
This collection of white wines from around the world has several things in common: family winemaking, neutral vessel fermentation, low alcohol and Vineyard Brands, who imports all of these wines into the US.
And, beyond that they’re all delicious is their own way. All will make delightful sipping as the weather warms. They will pair nicely with light, summertime meals. And, on the other side of summer, as the weather cools and becomes downright chilly, any of these crisp, white wines will pair beautifully with roasted chicken or a bowl of creamy pasta. White wine is so versatile.
Cheers!
The wine brands that you have mentioned in the above post i know and some my favorite. like ETNA and Domaine Delaporte. But unfortunately, but I never know about its history. When they introduced and What is its making process. I like white wines with roasted beef and creamy pasta.