Tag Archives: Semillon

Chateau Haut Rian Bordeaux Blanc

Cost: Average price $14

Where buy now: North Loop Wines & Spirits for $12.99

Grapes: 60% Sémillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: France

Vintage: 2011

Chateau Haut Rian

You know that point in the evening when you have a great buzz going and you start attacking your liquor cabinet or wine rack for your next fix?

How many times have you been super excited about some top shelf liquor or expensive wine that you love and you insist, your guests must love, too.

Of course, that comes after hours of drinking. It makes complete sense since your inhibitions are down and you “love everybody” to gush on about your favorite libation for all to try.

Then, you awake around Noon to find that bottle is not only empty but so is your soul until you can get that throbbing headache to go away. How could you have done it? Opened that bottle you were saving for some other occasion and now it’s gone. Worse yet, you don’t even remember tasting it. It was just another drop, some more of that drug to keep your buzz high.

Well, I’m happy to report that I didn’t let that happen at a soiree I hosted over Labor Day weekend. Oh – I got to that point of the night where I’m perusing anything and everything to keep us drunk and get us drunker but i didn’t pull out the super-duper expensive stuff.

Instead, I opted for this modest Bordeaux Blanc. I knew if I pulled a white wine out late in the evening, I wouldn’t be as tempted to drink it all. Don’t ask what that logic is or was, I just know it’s good to know yourself, your limits, your boundaries. . .this is one of mine.

I was introduced to this wine at North Loop Wines & Spirits by Brandon. The French wine guru if I ever did meet one. This guy is dangerous. He told me good and bad news at my last visit. Good news, he’s moving to France for a year and half to study for his Masters. Bad news, I’m going to miss his wealth of knowledge. Good news, because it will be better for my pocketbook. Ah – so bittersweet.

I could listen to him talk all day. I was writing copious notes as the French language rolled off his tongue. I was trying to keep up and repeat the French words but sadly, I didn’t sound like a fair French maiden. I sounded like I had a glandular problem choking on my own saliva. That back throated, nasally inflection turns out to sound like shit when you’re stuttering your way through the words.

I digress, I definitely exceeded my budget on this visit. But, he told me about this wine which was a nice Bordeaux Blanc right in my wheel-house at $12.99.This wine is a delightful white that is 60% Sémillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc. It’s golden green hue emotes scents of light citrus, floral notes, a touch of grass and minerals. The taste is fresh and balanced. You taste citrus, melon and mineral concentrations. The Sémillon produces a great balance of flavor and heavier texture to the crisp acidity and grassiness of the Sauvignon Blanc. It’s delicious and mild.

This wine will stand up on it’s own. Perfect for a lazy Sunday or in the evening as you watch the sunset. You can parlay that after work glass into dinner. This pairs well with rotisserie chicken, fish, oysters, salad, goat cheese, grilled vegetables, a bagel and cream cheese (for you breakfast for dinner kinda folk). It’s just so versatile. Pop it and drink it.

I’m glad I brought this out around 1 am, enough for that last sip before passing out. I was so happy to see a ⅔ full bottle in the fridge when I awoke the next day, not that I wanted one lick of wine but I was content knowing when I was ready, that bottle would be there.