Tag Archives: France

Wolfberger Pinot Blanc

Cost: Average price $16.99

Where buy now: Byerly’s Ridgedale, Sale: Buy one, Get one 1/2 price = $8.50/bottle

Grapes: Pinot Blanc

Region: Alsace, France

Vintage: 2010

Wolfberger Pinot Blanc

You must try this wine!” says my trusted Byerly’s “@winestud”, Rodney, during a recent visit. Really? It’s Alsatian white wine, big deal. Perhaps it was my mood, but I’d never had a wine from the NE region of France that’d ever tripped my trigger. No, he insisted, and tucked it in my wine tote.

Flash forward a few days later. I was perusing my wine rack, gazing at all the bottles (that seem to keep dwindling) and saw this. OK, yeah: Rodney’s pick.

Well, I’ve found my new fried chicken wine. I know, classy. But, truly, this is it. Hey, I can eat with the fanciest of the fancy, but fried chicken has a special place in my heart. The crispy, seasoned coating, the juicy thigh and leg, the grease glistening on your finger tips. It’s all working and on so many levels. [You may recall my poetic waxing last Spring: http://thesavvylush.com/white-wine-of-the-week-|-white-wine-reviews/twin-islands-sauvignon-blanc.html/The Savvy Lush

You’ll need a wine to cut through all that: enhance the flavors, yet balance them out. Oh, Alsatian Pinot Blanc, I sing your praises.

This wine is more than meets the eye. Upon first glance, this is a pale yellow libation with scents of citrus. Try swirling the wine around in the glass with your hand on top. Remove your hand and stick your nose in, you’ll discover different notes popping out at you. I smelled lemon pith, peach and citrus fruits. I smelled again and then caught a very small, sweet undertone, which reminded me of a macaroon.

This wine has a medium body and the acidic tastes of the citrus fruit are rounded out by a slight peach flavor and a light macaroon/vanilla whisper. It was crisp, light yet tart and savory. I thoroughly enjoyed sipping this whilst getting all carnivorous with my fried chicken treat.

Fried chicken not your bag? I [probably] won’t accuse you of being Communist, so here’s another food pairing idea: with a tried and true grilled cheese. Try using Muenster-it’s creamy and melty. I like to slather some Dijon mustard on one side before grilling.

La Forcine Vouvray

Cost: Average price $13

Where buy now: North Loop Wines & Spirits

Grapes: Chenin Blanc

Region: Vouvray – Loire Valley, France

Vintage: 2010

La Forcine Vouvray

Ladies and gentlemen, I have found my new sausage wine! I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. Why? I have a couple reasons. First, I love sausage. Juicy chunks of pork, fat, garlic, spices and goodness wrapped inside a casing. Second, the blissful flavor that oozes after snaping into a freshly grilled specimen is virtually unparalleled in the sensory world. To fully enjoy these fatty, salty, oozing flavors, washing it down with something complimentary is a must. For the standard brat, I’ve been all about a Riesling Kabinett, but alas, I’ve found my new Summer sausage staple: Vouvray.

Vouvray is an area in the Loire Valley region of France that produces white wine from the Chenin Blanc grape. While it is Chenin Blanc wine, it is named “Vouvray” after the area the grapes are grown and the wine is produced. I know, a bit confusing. Is it Chenin Blanc or Vouvray? The answer is “yes”. Perhaps think of it like this: Chablis is a type of Chardonnay made in the French town of Chablis; Champagne hails from the Champagne region. [Or, perhaps consider that Milwaukee’s Best originates from, well, you know.]

Alright, let’s get back to this wine. Many folks like Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Vouvray is like a marriage of the two. It’s qualities vary depending on climate and soil. The one I am digging on right now is La Forcine demi-sec. “Demi-sec” literally translates to “medium-dry”. (Think of it more like “medium-sweet”.) This Vouvray is refreshing with fragrances and tastes of green apple and pineapple. It is lively with a medium-body (unlike a Chardonnay, which is heavier) with acidity and sweetness balancing one another.

This wine is a marvelous value at around $13. I’m surprised this wine isn’t well known, or widely available in restaurants, as it’s so food friendly. The subtly sweet tastes, combined with the apple and pineapple flavors, pair amply with fatty boombalatty sausages. I recently scored bacon/cheddar brats from Nueske’s- truly a match made in heaven. If you don’t often have the privilege of driving across Central Wisconsin (sarcasm, anyone?) and stop at Nueske’s in Wittenberg, I say pick up your favorite butcher’s sausages, grill ‘em up and toast with this Vouvray. Before long, you’ll be licking your fingers, and when no one is looking, the rim of your glass.

Domaine de Figueiresse Gris de Gris Rosé

Cost: Average price $12

Where buy now: Zipp’s Liquors, Solo Vino

Grapes: 30% Cinsault, 20% Grenache Gris, 40% Grenache Noir and 10% Grenache Blanc

Region: Gulfe du Lion, Languedoc France

Vintage: 2011

Domaine de Figueiresse Gris de Gris Rosé

Since we are in the midst of Rose season, I must bring you another Rose that is both moderately priced and tastes amazing. Introducing the Domaine de Figueiresse Gris de Gris. It’s predominantly Grenache [Granache peeps holla!] and part Cinsault, a red wine grape whose main purpose is for blending with other grapes.  Cinsault [sin SO] is often blended with Grenache to give it a soft, fruity taste that’s also pleasantly aromatic.  This wine is yummy and at around $10, it’s real yummy.

I was introduced to this Rosé at a tasting hosted by The Wine Company. There were so many Rosés that I was FORCED to narrow my choices.  A good problem to have, but after a while, my pallet was on overload.  I’m not ashamed to say that after 9 or 10 Rosé samples, I have a difficult time discerning one that is akin to “ripe strawberry” from one that is simply “strawberry-like”. I could be explaining one of a thousand different Rosés.  I don’t want my head to hurt by _thinking_ about wine, dammit!

What I do know is if you are [still] hesitant to creep over to the pink side, this is one for you to test the waters. It is bright, full of fresh strawberry flavor; also, it’s dry, yet quenches that Summer thirst. Again, pink wine is NOT, I repeat NOT the White Zin from the 80s! It’s delicious and super drinkable alone, or even better, it pairs with just about everything.