Labor Day is rapidly approaching, and we are here to tell you that you can indeed drink white wine after Labor Day. White wine can be a very approachable, quaffable, and refreshing drink to have during the warmer summer months. However, white wine comes in many styles and weights, and there is one perfect for most every pairing option, even when the weather starts turning cooler as summer fades to fall and into winter.
The majority of white wines sold throughout the world are fermented and aged in stainless steel or other inert vessels, to preserve the fruit and other aromas and flavors. The grapes are harvested, fermented at a cool temperature, to retain their freshness, and then clarified and bottled, all in less than a year.
We have all had rosé wine, which is usually a pale pinkish colored wine made from red- or black-skinned grapes, where the winemaker limits the amount of time that the grape skins are in contact with the juice. This time can range from a mere few hours to a couple of days. Red wine gets its color, tannins, and additional flavors from having the juice in contact with the skins before, during and after fermentation, depending on the style and winemaker.
The dog days of summer are upon us, and that means we want to quench our thirsts with wines that have bright enough acidity to make our mouths water. We also want wines that pair with light meats, non-fatty fish, and salads that feature the summer’s bounty of fresh vegetables from our gardens or the local farmer’s market. Sauvignon Blanc fits the bill, and that is why we love it!
Nebbiolo is an iconic grape hailing from the Piedmont region of Italy. Over 95 percent of the word’s Nebbiolo is grown there, and you’d be hard pressed to find much growing in Italy outside of this region. The origins of the name Nebbiolo have been linked to the Italian word nebbia meaning fog. This connection may be attributable to the fact that the best vineyard locations for the grape are above the fog line, once it has settled into the lower valley.
