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Summer White So Hem Style

By Amy Reiley

The sexiest summertime wines are well-chilled whites with a bite of acid. These kinds of wines generally come from cooler regions of the world, like Alsace, Tasmania and Austria. But the region best known for racy whites would have to be New Zealand, with those legendary Sauvignon Blancs. This month, I offer you a few suggestions of sensual NZ wines for kicking back poolside.

2004 The Crossings Catherine’s Run Sauvignon Blanc
If you thought New Zealand winemakers were incapable of understanding Old World finesse, this is a wine to prove the theory wrong. Juicy yet elegant, it offers gooseberry and pineapple flavors with an underlying mineral taste. $$

2005 Jackson Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Classic NZ SB (that’s New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for the anacronym challenged). It has that racy, acidic thing but also passionfruit and lemongrass flavors and aromas. My mouth waters at the memory. $$

2005 Matua Valley Wines Pareti Sauvignon Blanc
This is a wine with super-charged, tongue-tingling acid. A wine sure to wake up your taste buds (and hopefully your libido, too), it offers luscious tropical aromas and flavors and a lemony bite. $$

2005 Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc
A well-priced example of what NZ wine is all about this SB showcases grapefruit and lemongrass acidity. A clensing drink, it’s just the thing to sip on a summer picnic. $

2005 Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Sauvignon Blanc
Bright and lemony it has a serious zing but a certain simple elegance. The best part is the finish, which offers an herbal bite. $

2005 Seresin Sauvignon Blanc
Although it shows those typical Sauvingon Blanc characteristics of lemon and tropical fruit, what sets this one apart is a savory characteristic almost like the taste of sage and thyme. $$

2005 Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc
A very pretty wine with guava aromas and flavors, it has that biting acid but a nice balance. $$

Woman on Wine is Master of Gastronomy Amy Reiley’s monthly wine column. Amy is also the author of Fork Me, Spoon Me: the sensual cookbook, www.forkmespoonme.com . 

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