Well, the first annual WineSaver White Wine Tasting was successfully held on July 4th. There were seven people in attendance and we began with seven wines. One, the Murphy-Goode Fume Blanc, had to be eliminated because the wine was spoiled upon opening - too bad, it's one of my favorites.
Remember that the idea is to bring a white wine that retails for under $25 that is a "true find" and/or a personal favorite.
The attendees were Dennis and Diane, Brad and Karen, Marge, and Dorianne and me. It was a very warm day, so we had appetizers inside (oysters on the half-shell, my version of clams casino, brie & Boursin cheeses, and tomato & mozzarella salad).
The first two wines were a 2006 Dutcher Crossing Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($21) brought by Brad & Karen, and a 2006 Kim Crawford Marlboro Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand ($15) brought by Dennis & Diane.
This is a very nice wine - the nose was reported as lemongrass, grapefruit, apple, pear, grassy, and wonderful.
The taste contained primarily citrus and grass, with notes of grapefruit, lime, lemongrass, and pear. It went very well with the shellfish. The winery notes indicated gooseberry, which eluded everyone at the tasting (what does gooseberry taste like, anyway?).
The wine was generally rated #4 or #5, with Karen picking it as her favorite.
The second wine, served along with the Dutcher Crossing, was a 2006 Kim Crawford Marlboro Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand ($15).
This wine has a stronger bouquet, with grapefruit, peach, hints of green apple, and pear.
Taste was citrusy, with grapefruit, and grassy notes, with a bit more sweetness than the Dutcher Crossing. Melon, apricot and pineapple hints were noted.
The final ratings of this wine ranges from #4 to #6 out of 6 wines rated.
Here is the entire list of wines in the order consumed - the others will be reviewed in coming days.
2006 Dutcher Crossing Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($21)
2006 Kim Crawford Marlboro Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand ($15)
2006 Groth Sauvignon Blanc, Napa ($21)
2005 Panacea Sauvignon Blanc, Napa ($17)
2005 Trevor Jones Virgin Charonnay, Australia ($15)
2005 Andrew Murray Enchante, 50% Marsanne, 50% Rouanne ($19)
2003 Murphy-Goode Fume Blanc ($11)
The rest of the menu included a green salad, the main course - grilled mahi-mahi with mango salsa, green beans, and rice with currants & almonds, dessert was a lemon souffle with berries.
My thanks to everyone who came and made their notes - it was a wonderful social event and a great way to celebrate the 4th of July, with almost entirely American wines.
"Till Next Time,
The Wine Saver
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