Category Archives: White Wines

Canadian White Wine: Inniskillin Pinot Grigio

So, I’m finally getting around to posting wine reviews from my trip to the Okanagan Valley to participate in the 2013 Wine Bloggers Conference.

This was my first taste of Canadian wine above the border, selected as a “surprise” by an enthusiastic and friendly sommelier at the White Spot Restaurant inside Kelowna airport. The lovely young lady asked if I wanted to see the wine list, or if she could surprise me; naturally, I opted for the surprise. She “guaranteed” that I’d enjoy the wine — and I did. It’s always great to find someone with a similar palate to guide you.

One caveat: it was served too cold — due to the white wines being stored in the refrigerator next to the beer. My personal somm explained, “most people who come in here want their white wine ice cold.” Yes, we have that problem in the USA as well. In any case, initially, the wine wasn’t impressive — not bad, just not impressive. But, my trusty infrared thermometer (yes, I’m a James Bond wannabe) registered 45 degrees Fahrenheit, so how could the wine possibly show any character? Once it warmed up to a more drinkable 52, then 55, the lovely mineral took over the aroma, which also boasted ripe pear and a hint of white peach. It had excellent acidity — again, only after warming up — and was nice enough drinking on its own, with a well-balanced finish of green apple. I would guess it would also go well with an array of foods. If you see it, give it a try.

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See more reviews for Inniskillin Pinot Grigio from Wines in Niagara, Tony Aspler, and John Schreiner on Wine.

White Wine Review: Uvaggio Vermentino

When I received this wine as a sample, I pulled it out of the box, gave the label a quick glance, and thought, “oh, a Vermentino — I like Italian wines.” After chilling it down for about 20 minutes and pouring it into the glass, I took a sniff, and thought, “ah, that nice mineral and floral character I love from Vermentino.” Then I took a sip and thought, “whoa, there’s something different about this Vermentino. It’s a little richer, sweeter, fatter, and more creamy than I expect from the variety — it must be from an area in Italy further south than where the grape is usually found.” So then I took a more detailed perusal of the labels — front and back. And the light bulb went on.

“Ah, no wonder — it’s from Continue reading →

White Wine Review: Luna Mater

Fontana Candida Frascati “Luna Mater” 2009 | Lazio, Italy

This is one of those wines for that rare person who enjoys drinking wine with food, and/or considers wine as food.

OK, I’m being a little facetious / condescending. The truth is, like most Italian wines, this is food — at least, as far as I’m concerned.

Don’t — under ANY circumstances — attempt to Continue reading →

White Wine Review for Thanksgiving: Macari Early Wine 2012 Chardonnay

Macari Vineyards Early Wine Chardonnay 2012 | North Fork, Long Island, NY, USA

Who needs Beaujolais Nouveau when you can “get local” with a luscious white wine from Long Island?

The truth is, I enjoy the hoopla, celebration, and tradition around Beaujolais Nouveau. Not to mention, the grape-jelly-like wine pairs mighty well with nearly everything on the Thanksgiving table. Just make sure you drink it before Valentine’s Day, OK?

Now, what if you’re one of those people who is anti-French? Or a staunch locavore? Or what if you feel that the American tradition of Thanksgiving should be celebrated with an American wine? There’s more to America than Zinfandel, and though Chardonnay is technically a French varietal, Macari’s is 100% grown and bottled in ‘merica, the good ol’ U-S-of-A. Most importantly, Macari Early Wine Chardonnay is guaranteed to pair well with the traditional turkey as well as nearly every trimming on the table. And, if you’re one of those who does something other than turkey, this wine will also go very well with roast pork, spiral ham, duck, chicken, or game fowl.

The nose has an understated aroma of pear – like pear nectar that you might drink from a Goya bottle or can. In the mouth, though, it explodes with bright, juicy flavors that remind me of fruit salad: sweet pear, peach, pineapple, guava, green seedless grapes, and white cherry. It has mild acidity and canadian pharmacy and a healthy dose of residual sugar that pushes all the fruit forward and makes for a delectable foil to hot and spicy foods; think sausage stuffing. It finishes with a pleasant, clean taste of pure fresh apple juice. This is a truly enjoyable, lovely wine that will be hugely popular with people who normally don’t drink wine. The snobs will eschew it for its r.s. level but watch them as they take surreptitious sips in between their condescending comments.

If you can get a bottle for Thanksgiving, by all means do so. And if you can’t get it in time for Thursday’s feast, pick it up anyway and enjoy it later with Chinese take-out, spicy Thai, Indian cuisine, buffalo wings, or on its own as an aperitif.

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Alternatively, purchase it directly from the winery by visiting the Macari website

This wine was also reviewed by New York Cork Report and The V.I.P. Table.

Disclosure: I received this wine as a press sample

White Wine Review: Macari Sauvignon Blanc

Macari Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc “Katherine’s Field” 2011 | North Fork, Long Island, New York, USA

If you’ve been visiting WineWeekly for a while then you’ve seen several reviews of Macari wines from Long Island, NY. I’ve yet to be disappointed by a Macari bottle, and this is no exception.

Macari Sauvignon Blanc Katherine's Field wine label Nose is a bit unusual, as there is an element I can’t quite identify, except that it’s something I normally associate with well-made homemade wine. It’s kind of like overripe pear — though, not off-putting or anything, just not something I expect to smell in a Sauvignon Blanc. After sitting in the glass for a few minutes, a lovely pineapple scent dominates the aroma as that pear rounds out.

The taste is not like the nose, and there is plenty of Sauvignon character. However, those who usually don’t like Sauvignon Blancs that are too “grassy” or “vegetal” will be pleased to pass this over their palate — because it is more of a ripe, warm, and citrusy Sauvignon, without any of those green / “cat pee” characteristics. The texture is surprisingly smooth, with an almost creamy mouthfeel. Acidity is fairly mild for a Sauvignon, but there is enough to pair with mild fish and poultry dishes.

Depending on where you shop, you should be able to find this wine for somewhere around $19 – $25. You can also purchase it from the Macari Vineyards website.

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