Summer Drinking - Two Whites & a Rose'

Summer time is lighter wine time for most of us and I've definitely been going down that path in recent weeks.

The more wine I've consumed in recent years, the more I've come to appreciate really well-made whites. I might argue the learning curve is accelerated because of the red wine dominance on my wine rack. Many will disagree, but for me it's a little easier to identify the characteristics of red wine. White and Rose' is more nuanced.

Enough of the geeky stuff. Here are three easy-to-find wines I purchased in Central Indiana - all under $20.

Clayhouse Adobe White - The Adobe line of Clayhouse wines from California's Paso Robles are really great value wines. I just received samples of the 2011 vintage with a couple bottles I've not previously sampled. These wines clearly taste above the price point, are nicely balanced, and are available at great prices. The suggested retail on the entire line is $14 or $15.

The tasty blend is 49 percent Viognier, 26 percent Sauvignon Blanc, 19 percent Grenache Blanc, and 6 percent Princess. Princess is often called a table grape and is said to resemble Muscat in flavor. It was a new one for me. I have found Viognier I've loved and hated - it's very floral and fruity normally. I remember last year's Adobe White and was put off just a bit by the Viognier. The 2011 blend is a perfect mix.

The wine has floral, identifiable orange, peach, and honey flavors. Portions of this wine are barrel fermented, but not aged, resulting in a real creamy feel on the palate. The alcohol comes in at 12.8 percent.

Simply, this is a great summer sipper or white for lighter meals.

Clayhouse Adobe White, SRP $14, Trade Sample, Highly Recommended

Arona 2010 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - Sauv Blanc from New Zealand often takes a hit for the big acid, over-the-top fruit, and that 'grassy thing" many wine drinkers don't like.

Check out Arona Sauv Blanc if you are one of those folks. I tried this wine at a tasting conducted by Derek Gray of Graybull Wines. I loved it.

This wine is much lighter on the palate than many NZ Sauv Blancs. It still had the crisp acidity which would make it perfect for lighter seafood dishes, particularly white fish. Think passion fruit, pineapple, and aroma-pleasing citrus.

If you like NZ and California Sauvignon Blanc but want a bit lighter mouth feel, grab a bottle of Arona.

Arona 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.99, I bought this wine at Mass. Ave. Wine Shop in Indy. Highly Recommended.


Gerard Bertrand 2010 Gris Blanc Rose' - I've been on a real Rose' kick and this one is different as they come. First, Gerard Bertand is one of the most respected winemakers in Southern France. His wines offer great value for the price point.

This wine is a blend of Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris. Most notably, is the very - very pale - salmon color often associated with Provence's fine Rose' wines.

I got peach and maybe hint of a red raspberry. The wine is lighter on the palate than many but it does have pretty serious acidity. It's also seriously dry Rose'. It would be another choice for white fish, shell fish, or a summer salad.

I picked up this unique Rose' at Vine and Table in Carmel.

Gerard Bertrand 2010 Gris Blanc Rose, $13.99, Recommended.

Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com

You Really Have to Try Today's Boxed Wines

It's a Sunday so at mid-afternoon during a day of largely housework, I wanted a little sip of wine on break. So I went to my refrigerator and poured the last of the Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc into a glass and enjoyed it.

The catch here is that I "opened" the Silver Birch a good 5-6 weeks ago! This is the third in a series of boxed wines from Octavin Home Wine Bar. First came a Chardonnay, then Big House Red, followed by this container of Sauv Blanc.

Frankly, the Sauv Blanc was impressive considering you're getting four bottles of wine at the cost of about two. The wine comes from Marlborough, New Zealand and has nice crisp acidity and just the right amount of citrus. Frankly, this was wine I'd buy by the bottle.

I haven't loved all of these by any means. But this Sauv Blanc was darn good wine. And, I'll admit I've become a fan of the Octavin system - note there are other boxed wine systems out there.

I've been slow to come around to the concept but it's really great to go the box and get a single glass of wine or just a few sips.

About a week ago the Boho Zinfandel arrived and I'll write about that one in the coming weeks.

All of these have been "trade samples." I've written about this before, but it has been awhile. I occasionally receive wine to sample. My policy is like most other wine bloggers/writers - there is no guarantee I'll like it or write about it, but I do accept the free samples. And there have been some I didn't like nor write about.

Frankly, I could find nothing not to like about the Silver Birch.

Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com