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Now that warmer weather is
here, after your round of golf,
have a glass (or two) of white
wine on the deck. Wine
always seems more enjoyable
to me when consumed
outdoors. I am not sure why,
but let’s chalk it up to,
that’s
where it comes from
.
Winemaking, after all, is simply
a way of getting the grapes from
the vine into the glass.
Here are some white wines
that will cap off a perfect day
and sunset.
Riesling
– The main thing
to remember is to find one
from Germany, where this
grape shines best. Look for
the three (increasing) levels of
sweetness listed on the label –
kabinett, spatlese, and auslese.
If none of these are listed, it’s
probably a Qualitatswein or
QbA in the fine print, which
is the entry level and also a
good starting point. A couple
of rieslings to look for would
be the Leitz Dragonstone or
the ‘Dr. L’ (Loosen Bros.)
Albarino
– This Spanish white
wine is a delight even to the
most jaded connoisseur. If
you like Chardonnay, you
will also like Albarino, it has
a similar textural profile (I call
it ‘fatness’). Pour a glass of
chilled Albarino at your next
outing and you’ll be traveling
to Spain without the airfare.
Sauvignon Blanc
– There are
many regions from which to
choose when shopping for
Sauvignon Blanc; California,
New Zealand, and, even Bor-
deaux. California’s Geyser
Peak’s version is very fruity
with good balancing acid-
ity. Some choose the New
Zealand varieties, they have
a more concentrated and
in-your-face style. It you are
more traditional, a classic
White Bordeaux is the real
Sauvignon Blanc.
Pinot Gris
– Translated as
“gray pinot ,” this refers to
the hint of gray color in this
grape’s skin. There are three
regions where this wine is
most popular. Pinot Grigio
is the Italian version. Pinot
Gris, from the Alsace region
of France, is the textbook
version. The Oregon versions
are a true revelation, with a
fruit-forward style that will
have you smacking your lips.
Try the King Estate or the ‘A to
Z’ Winery for starters.
Where can I find these wines,
you might ask? Well, you
can probably find a decent
Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc
in your local supermarket.
Outside of that, the best
place to find more variety is
your local wine merchant or
a larger liquor store chain.
When you find your favorite,
hit the deck and enjoy the
sunset!
DECKED OUT IN
WHITE WINES
BY
KURT WEINEKE
NWO Golf Links