White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

Whites and bubblies you can grab in the Twin Cities for under $15. Expect a new wine to be revealed each Thursday(ish).

White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

Famiglia Meschini Torrontes

Cost: Average price $12.99

Where buy now: Byerly’s Ridgedale, Sorella Wines & Spirits, Zipp’s Liquors

Grapes: Torrontes

Region: Mendoza, Argentina

Vintage: 2010

Famiglia Meschini Torrontes

In these dog days of Summer, there isn’t a bottle of white wine I’d rather treat myself to than Famiglia Meschini’s Torrontes. In fact, I’m drinking something else right now and I’m mad, mad I tell you, that I’m not drinking this. Let’s put aside the fact that this bottle is sexy as hell. This white is a little zingy, a little sing-y, and a whole lotta ringy-dingy. Yes, your buzzer will blow slurping this Summer Solstice sipper.

No surprise, yet another beloved wine from the Famiglia Meschini Winery in Mendoza. To learn more about them, simply read my first article about them:http://www.thesavvylush.com/white-wine-of-the-week-|-white-wine-reviews/famiglia-meschini-premium-white-blend.htmlFamiglia Meschini

Torrontes, what is this wine?

It is quintessential Argentinian, where the grape is found. It’s a bubbly white that is sure to tickle your fancy. Sticking my nose in the glass, fragrances of peach are evident. Upon a couple more whiffs, apricot and tropical floral hints emerge. I think those who enjoy sweeter wines such as Gewurztraminers or Rieslings will enjoy this. With that being said, there is a balance. Even though that peachy apricot goodness is prevalent, it isn’t yicky sweet- more light and lively. The effervescence and acidity cut through, preventing it from being too thick, heavy or syrupy, while allowing dryer fruit qualities to emerge. It’s fun and easy going- just as Summer sipping should be!

Argentines are beef-eating folk, so naturally, it’ll pair well with grilled, smoked meats. But just the same, I’d enjoy this with sushi, spicy Thai, Mexican or Indian food.

Since we’ve been “enjoying” 90+ degree temps, get your hoard on now- we’re in for a whole bunch more in the upcoming months. What’s terrific is this is meant to be drunk now. No worries about aging this baby. I’ll stop soapboxing about this wine (for now) in hopes that my outspoken, faithful followers will supply their own comments. You see, this isn’t biased, just truth.

White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

Anakena Sauvignon Blanc

Cost: Average price $7

Where buy now: Marshall Liquor, St. Paul

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Chile

Vintage: 2011

Anakena Sauvignon Blanc

There’s nothing sexier than drinking in a casino hotel room.

Let me introduce you to Anakena Sauvignon Blanc. If you are a grapefruit fan, this is your Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a flaxen yellow wine that is light, crisp, and a righteous deal at only $6.99! This is dictionary definition weeknight patio wine, but is also a swell antidote for sweltering Saturday nights.

I was sans patio, but as you can see from the photo, I enjoyed it sitting in a hotel room that “reminisced” of a smoking room (read: stale ex-smoking = inside stank). Maybe it was because I had spent 16 hours outside in the menacing sun and dusty winds of Grand Casino Hinckley [another glamorous episode for my day job] , but this wine went down fast and easy. My co-worker and I sucked the bottle down with authority (and some Stacy’s pita chips), bringing a tired smile to both our faces as we picked at the annoying dirt caked in various body crevices. We found our nirvana, if only for a moment.

We awoke at 4am the next day to get up and do it all over again. I cannot help but think that the Anakena made it just a bit more bearable.

White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

Vicentini Agostine Soave

Cost: Average price $13

Where buy now: Byerly’s Ridgedale, North Loop Wines & Spirits

Grapes: 80% Garganega, 20% Tebbiano di Soave

Region: Veneto, Italy

Vintage: 2010

Vicentini Agostine Soave

Maybe it’s because I’m buzzed as I write this, but I cannot stop saying “Soave” [SWAH-vay] like that douche bag one-hit wonder, Gerardo (you’re welcome). I know when I tell people to try a Soave, they start singing, “Rico Suave”. Perhaps that’s simply indicative of my friends. [*sigh*] Fortunately, the white of the week couldn’t be further from that level of d’baggery.

Regardless of any mixing of vinegar and water, you need to know more about this wine!

Soave is an Italian white wine that hails from the Veneto Region of Italy, near Verona. The East side of the top of the boot, close to the Adriatic Sea. Soave is made predominantly from a grape called Garganega [gar-GAH-nay-gah]. While not a well known white, it is universally pleasing.

I enjoy Soave in the Spring/Summer months, especially with grilled shrimp and other whitefish, like tilapia. Think about it: this wine hails from an area close to the Adriatic sea, so it pairs well with seafood. That is also a great rule-of-thumb, to pair wine with foods typical of that same region. Similar to the Gavi, I also enjoy this wine with pesto. In fact, I should probably do the “Pepsi Challenge” with both Gavi and Soave with my homemade pesto and pasta.

Truthfully, I think my favorite Soave is by Inama, Soave Classico. This wine now tends to hover around $20 and that is outside what I’m wanting to pay. So I asked my go-to guy Rodney for a Soave around $10, he pointed me toward this one by Vicentini Agostine [Vee-chen-TEE-nee aug-oh-STEE-nay]. This is a delicious Soave, especially for the price. I‘ll also note that I had one glass because my husband slurped it all, and he’s not a huge white wine guy.  (Of course, that’s also due to the fact that I’d moved on to a bottle of red.)

What’s not to like? It’s light, crisp and refreshing. It is unoaked, has a bit of tartness and smells of dried citrus fruit with a hint of jasmine floral qualities to it. Drink this before your meal, along with some grilled or fried calamari or a light salad with tuna fish and arugula.

Come to think of it, “Rico” and “Suave” are actually pretty good adjectives for this wine. So I guess he isn’t a total ass clown. Oh wait, yes, yes he is.