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White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

La Forcine Vouvray

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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.

White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

Zestos Malvar

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Cost: Average price $9.99

Where buy now: Solo Vino, North Loop, Zipp’s, Pairings Food & Wine{jcomments on}

Grapes: Malvar

Region: Madrid, Spain

Vintage: 2010

Zestos Malvar

Pretties, I have a perfect patio palette quencher; a delectable deck dining hooch. I present the wonderful Spanish white wine, Zestos Malvar- yet another discovery from the Rosé Tent Tasting I attended in May (are you seeing why this tasting thing is so damn important?).

I didn’t know what Malvar was.  In fact, I don’t think most folks know much about the Malvar grape as evident by the lack of info I found. Apparently, it is even obscure to Spaniards, though Malvar grapes are indigenous to the Madrid region of Spain. Thankfully, the good people at Zestos realized this, as their back label is one of the most descriptive I’ve ever seen.

Zestos Malvar back label

Their description “the bright flavors of a Sauvignon Blanc and the body of unoaked Chardonnay (aged in stainless steel tanks) is right on the money. It truly embodies the acidity of Sauvignon Blanc and a fuller-body like an unoaked Chardonnay. It’s pale yellow color and smells of citrus/tropical fruit such as pineapple, grapefruit and mango are what you take in first and foremost. This may be a stretch but upon second whiff and taste, I notice hints of tapioca. On the tongue, it’s bright citrus flavors are rounded out with a creamier body.

Wait, “creamy” wine with hints of tapioca?  Sounds, well, gross.  Let’s break this down.

“Creamier” refers to a medium-to-fuller bodied wine. I remember when I first started getting into wine and I read things like “creamy body” and I was perplexed. The wine looked yellow to me, not like yogurt. Think of wine’s viscosity or body in terms of the consistency of milk. Skim milk = light bodied such as Pinot Grigio or Pinot Noir, whole milk = medium bodied such as Sauvignon Blanc or Shiraz and cream = heavy bodied, like Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon.

At a mere $10 (even less on sale) I can hardly call the Zestos Malvar a gamble. This is a fun, simple slurpin’ wine. No need to age, aerate or do anything but enjoy. I think if you like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, try it. If you like Chardonnay, oaked or unoaked, try it. If you like to try new things, try it. And in these hot Summer days, who wants something heavy? This is a cellar filler that you’ll return to again and again and enjoy.

My only criticism is that it doesn’t stay with you. The finish disappears after about ten seconds. This is really only a “problem” if you plan to drive later. And really, isn’t it the unspoken truth that sometimes, you just want a tasty budget wine to tie one on with?

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.