On the Wine Side - Uncommon Whites & Summer Delights Fri, Jul 21, 23 Last week's Wineology class was "Uncommon Whites and Summer Delights." Wow, did Dave select some lovely white wines for the class to taste through! I was fortunate enough to be able to taste them, as well, and for those of you who didn't make this class in either June or July, here they are.All of them are delicious and refreshing and pair beautifully with favorite summertime foods. The wines were selected from places around the world - France, Greece, Austria, and even Uruguay. First was the 2022 Villa St. Jean Picpoul de Pinet from Southwest France. Picpoul is the grape, and it produces a wine with some soft floral notes but a crisp citrusy zing on the finish.The 2021 Reserve des Diacres from the northern Rhone valley in France was a real surprise. It's a blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Rousanne, and Viognier grapes. On the nose, it was full of floral notes, buttercream, and apricots. These were on the palate, too, but there was a nice citrus note to give it balance, and a minerality on the finish, as well. Another French wine was a fun pour. The 2022 UBY No.3 Cotes de Gascogne. Gascony is an area of Southwest France between Bordeaus and the Pyrenees. This wine is 80% Colombard and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh and fruity from start to finish, this wine pops with white peach and melon, but finishes nice and dry.The 2022 Gaia Notios is a Greek wine from a vineyard in Nemea, west of Athens. A blend of three regional grapes - Moschofilero, Roditis, and Assyrtiko, this bright white has hints of rose petal on the nose, a clean citrus taste on the palate and a lively acidity throughout. We tasted a Gruner Veltliner from Austria that came into the store recently. It's the 2022 Midsommar in the liter bottle. Gruner is Austria's flagship grape. It produces wines with bright lemon and lime notes from the nose through the palate that makes for almost lip-smacking wines.The class finished with an Albarino from Uruguay in South America, the 2021 Garzon Albarino. This winery is producing some world-class wines. Albarino is a grape grown extensively in Spain and apparently is right at home in Uruguay. The wine has the classic notes of citrus and also pear and apricot characteristic of its high acidity and low tannins. The (full) class agreed that all the wines were stand-outs and nice alternatives to typical white wine choices. It's always fun to try new wines. Thanks, Dave!The Wineology classes are sold out through the rest of July. There are some spaces available for the Far Niente tastings on Thursday, July 27. Wineology classes will resume in September. And remember what wine expert Alexis Lechine said: The best way to learn about wine is by drinking." Cheers! By Dominique De Vito
