Memorial Day’s Past – Pull Out Those Summer Whites
It’s
that time of year when a bold red wine just doesn’t seem quite right after a
long, hot, sultry day. It appears
that our grandmothers had it right – Flaunt your whites after
Memorial Day – Here are just a few of the summer white grapes/white wines to cool
down with.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhJRMvdzOs-RtPVWEXNNlsn3EJSgaTZ6DRIYJjfKxjamR_thw3_Evp86fYUCAPi8zajqiRRsjgtXDiRZGp0cZT7L4EXo1lPpsrSAuZRwt3cXcrLia4-ApUrRjxYjGoC0Bh89wPxM1Hkan/s200/chenin+grapes.jpg) |
Chenin Blanc Grapes |
Chenin
Blanc is not a grape that’s really
raved about, despite its French pedigree, but it's one of the most adaptable and
blendable grapes out there, and it relies on the winemaker to make it
memorable. A Chenin Blanc wine can be crafted to be sweet and honeyed,
minerally and refreshing, or crisp and sparkling. It all depends on what style
you like, so find a Chenin that appeals to you, chill it down, and enjoy liquid
gold on a hot summer’s evening.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6kQjlQ7o6CNmzmJkrRVuWQRLY80YIa-dcFaMg6ghBHGR09Yhd8zkeDbitG1bwWfzsZJU9h_fcyoyAOKQDg_RAhifdgpdv2opPZyURTf-jKAdJr8a6dGwKx9_Ck6LIdXd4yGUAm3doCsF/s1600/mascat+black.jpg) |
Black Muscato Grapes |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoTSbQpDZI1srq0KhCLmpaTBlr4foUBRmDOzHKROPNF7DKZsu8ZpVmarB2-hMr0yzsfAuEi53IPl0-Qfefbmjx7CS2epw9QVLUyn1wGWxOn-gOHSnTgBs-AvRKIH0u76KSFcmsy2TNcRN/s200/muscat+white.jpg) |
White Muscat Grapes |
Muscat/Moscato grapes are grown around the world and can range in
color from white to almost black. In fact, Muscat is not just one grape variety
but a family of grapes, with over 200 varieties. With its sweet, floral aroma,
Muscat is an unforgettable wine.
As
of last year, Moscato, the new white wine darling of the industry, became the
third most popular white wine in the U.S.
The grape can be crafted into a light, dryer wine, or as a sweet,
sparkling like the Italian Asti Spumante.
Grab a bottle – or three, chill well, and put on some Don Ho & Tiny Bubbles....
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2r3gvdnKtcVScYXf2iv-jbrkmDkSpvWQblZZB0m_yIF7JlAtRAnSe2d95orxetvkEXqZrmiZplzH_SraKZxIuwagzSJUYaeYftMZLqCjQBd-oPjPWyBSlYe5fHaiW8G-07rC4-gWmqnJ/s200/Riesling_grapes_leaves.jpg) |
Riesling Grapes |
Riesling grapes are mainly recognized for the sweet German
wines they can produce. This is
another grape with a floral nose, wrapped around the flavors of pineapple,
honey and citrus. Riesling can also be crafted in an off-dry style and still
maintain that fruity flavor, plus a wonderful, crisp finish, which is so welcome
during the sultry, summer weekends.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6uOXSMrlkIqTL3qU-llpspL51xD4cVVz_dSjW3zXNwXgP_m-uGRTdR5uZTxamY9B5yWEqPFm7kCO0epTyfDMOypDcfhaP5sEQO3QAc2ZZyrdVCwgPo_ehTR0hNTeBGaC0We0k2jd6XuE/s200/Sauvignon_blanc_grapes.jpg) |
Sauvignon Blanc Grapes |
Sauvignon
Blanc is French for wild, white grape. (In other words, it is an indigenous grape
in Southern France.) And it’s well named because Sauvignon Blanc is not your
stuffy, pretentious kind of wine - It was one of the first wines to be bottled with
a screw cap. The flavors range
from grass, to melons, to tropical fruit, and the aromas vary from lemons, to
herbs, to minerals, and yes, sometimes cat pee. Sauvignon Blanc is usually crafted as a dry wine, with a
light, crisp, finish; or winemakers may aim for more spicy, floral flavors
with a smoky, flinty finish – Fume Blanc, anyone? When blended with Semillon
grapes, a sweet, late-harvest Sauternes can be the result, to be enjoyed as a
sweet, summer wine.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9-wqPaAj0YlkP6wqH4_Le2Mpt66cXSeaEqOp9rgegViNKkZtABQROY_54Xzuj0XfM3t1ALTQD_5RaBPyNSsx41Y2T0LtEnhCMEFtAp_QMJbWOFID19Q-lfhLYnC4B99B-nEJid6Gnr0T/s200/garden.jpg)
So,
with those hot, muggy days upon us, now’s the time to stock up on some cool wines to banish your thirst, and pair wonderfully with those
fresh-from-the-garden meals. Now, pop a cork, chill out, and Enjoy!
~
Joy
Thanks for the lesson. I was with you right up to the cat pee! :-) I will have to join the Moscato love fest this summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny!
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