Aragon’s August “Cru” Tasting
A fabulous summer wine and a chance to catch up with an old friend.
What makes a good “summer” wine? That question comes up a lot during our long summers. We have discussed and defined these “summer” wines, aka “porch pounders,” in previous posts. Served chilled, with hints of tropical and stone fruit, lively acid, leaving your tongue refreshed with a great feel are the basis of a good summer wine.We encountered such a wine this past week at Aragon’s August Cru tasting. Mille Rêves 2020 Vouvray Chenin Blanc had all of those qualities; a great bouquet of white flowers on the nose, a palate that started with nectarine and finished with green apple cider. All of the tasters agreed that this was a great “summer wine.”While the wine was good, the best part was catching up with an old friend, one who shares the same passion of wine that I do with a lifetime of experience behind it. It is a common occurrence at wine tastings; meeting people just as interesting and complex as the wine you are tasting. To me, sharing a profound wine with equally profound people is the perfect pairing!
Summer Wines, Part 1
Two white wines that are perfect for poolside and the beach.
Well, summer has started on the Gulf Coast. I am going to weather geek-out here: Summer officially starts for me when the wind shifts to be predominantly southern. That means the wind, most of the time, blows from the Gulf of Mexico. Every day is mostly humid and night time temps no longer get below 70F.
It’s okay! That just means it’s time to really pop open those light and refreshing wines. Beach, pool, warm evenings out with friends. Here are two picks to get your wine summer off to a good start.
The first is from New Zealand. Mohua Sauvignon Blanc. If you were lucky enough to go to Seville Quarter’s wine tasting this past Tuesday then you would have been able to speak to the wine maker himself, which is always a rewarding occasion. This wine was bright with a refreshing essence of grapefruit and acid and is right at home poolside.
The next was a Sparking Wine from the Loire Valley of France; Gratien & Meyer Cremant de Loire Brut. This wine was featured during Aragon’s Cru wine tasting on Thursday. Tight and intense bubbles that gave a very nice long finish with hints of orange and honey. Not sweet (it’s a Brut!), this Sparkling would be fantastic as the wine to greet your friends with as you start dinner.
Ready or not summer on the Gulf Coast is here. Serve cold and enjoy!
