Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). It is written by Sarah Garratt, a wine and food pairing blogger. Follow her blog www.grapepairings.com or on Instagram @grapepairings.
In case the heat and humidity haven’t given you a clue, summer is finally here!
Time to put away your red wines and break out your whites. Yes, many people like to enjoy rosés during the warmer weather (and we do, too!), but let’s not forget about the many refreshing white wines that can cool us off!
When many people think white wines, they often think of the most common three: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio. However, did you know that there are well over 200 different white grape varietals? Today’s WWBG features two varietals that you may not have heard of, plus one that you have.
The first grape that we are featuring today is Rkatsiteli (pronounced R-cat-set-el-ee). It is originally from the country of Georgia, but is now grown all over Eastern Europe.
It is known for being zesty and tart, which makes it great for dry or sweet wines.
Stobi’s 2016 Rkatsiteli from Macedonia ($11.99) is a dry wine. It is bright with acidic flavors of lemon and grapefruit that are well balanced with green apple and spearmint. It’s acidity make it a great pairing with creamy cheeses such as blue cheese or gorgonzola. Any summer salad would be delicious with this as well!
Traveling west to Italy, we learn about our second featured grape, Verdicchio (pronounce ver-dee-ck-io). Verdicchio comes from the word verde, which is Italian for green. The wine is called “Verdicchio” due to the grape’s green color. This grape is also known for being acidic, but not as much as the Rkatsiteli.
La Staffa’s 2017 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore (Regularly $16.99, on sale for $14.99) has a beautiful nose of Asian pear, peach, and clementines, with woodsy notes coming at the end. On the palate, there is a little zing coming from the fruit. Grilled veggies and fish were meant to go with this dish, so it will definitely be a winner at your next barbecue or cookout!
Lastly, we feature a grape that you have all heard about: Sauvignon Blanc.
However, this may be one of the most versatile grapes around! It can have a lemongrass-y, acidic taste that many people enjoy from New Zealand. It can be more tropical when coming from California. From France, it could be more floral with mineral elements to it.
The Sauvignon Blanc we are featuring today is from Oregon, which is a nice blend of Californian and French styles.
The Patricia Green Cellar’s 2016 Sauvignon Blanc from Willamette Valley, Oregon ($24.99), is unlike many Sauvignon Blancs that you have had before. The smell alone is full of tropical notes like pineapple, mango, and lychee. However, there is also something that will leave you curious to try more. It is an herb? Is it hay? Is it floral? Grab some next time you are in the shop and figure it out with us! It will go perfectly with your next grilled chicken or sushi!