Corkscrew
Last week, after being held together with Band-Aids for five years, my pathetic 20-year-old A.C. unit finally died. This is a huge tragedy, since I live where summer starts in early April and lasts until Thanksgiving. All work ended; I was so freakin’ hot I couldn’t see straight, much less write anything intelligent or vaguely amusing. I wanted to dive into a pool of frozen Jello shots just to cool my heated frustration. After $3,000 was ripped from my sweaty hands — yes, that’s American dollars, folks — I’m finally cool, but the hot shock has reset my body to permanently drinking quenching whites. Yes, it’s time to leave red wine behind and feel a cold, wet bottle in my hands. My choices follow.
Recommended Wines
Torres 2005 Vina Esmeralda Catalunya (Spain) A blend of moscatel and gewurztraminer grapes, this wine’s fragrance will lure you into its flavor folds. Peaches, bubblegum and banana detonate on your tongue, and you like it. It finishes clean and fruity but not sweet. Really, really fun. Sw = 3. $14. ****
Angove’s 2005 Riesling Clare Valley (Australia) Two words: lime margarita. This riesling is so dry, I had no idea it was a riesling. It has a brisk lime zestiness like a Smartie candy but with a subtle butter finish. Worth the extra cash. Sw = 1. $19. ****
Chumeia 2005 Silver Nectar Mendoza (Argentina) A wine for a sweet tooth, this tastes like pink grapefruit sprinkled with brown sugar. It’s delicate, rich and loaded with perfumey pear; you could drink this whole bottle without noticing that you’re drinking a whole bottle. Sw = 6. $10. ****
Veramonte 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley (Chile) Nothing is better than sauvignon blanc in the summer. Crisp, cool, clean and fruity, this grape satisfies a thirsty hankering. This one reflects the classic profile of the grape: green grass, grapefruit and smooth yet snappy acidity. Sw = 2. $9. *** 1/2
Kumala 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape (South Africa) This packs a bracing lemon and grapefruit explosion, with tart acidity and a refreshingly steely aftertaste. Sw = 2. $9. *** 1/2
Hardy’s 2005 Riesling Southeast Australia Drinking this is like biting into a sugarcoated Spree candy, with enticing, ripe peaches, honeydew melon and earthy lychee fruit. An easy, crowd-pleasing wine. Sw = 4. $10. *** 1/2
Coppola 2005 Pinot Grigio (California) Another fantastic summer grape, pinot grigio (aka pinot gris) is dry, light and citrusy. Drink it with a dinner salad with grilled shrimp or just savor it alone. Sw = 2. $10. ***
Nobilo 2005 Icon Pinot Gris (New Zealand) Think white Thompson Seedless grapes, with an alcoholic kick. But it eases into graceful, sweet red apple and soft pear flavors. Live in the aroma. Sw = 3. $22. ***
Rex Goliath 2005 Chardonnay (California) Lighter than many California chardonnays, with tart green apple and pear, a touch of buttered toast and well-rounded acidity. Sw = 3. $10. ***
Dr Burklin-Wolf 2003 Riesling Pfalz (Germany) No summer wine column would be complete without a dry German riesling. This one has a slight flowery sweetness with nectarines and a dash of that stereotypical diesel fuel thing. Sw = 3. $13. ***
Sweetness (Sw) rating is out of 10, 10 being pure sugar. Star (*) rating is out of 5, 5 being wine nirvana.
If you try any of these, drop me a line at my Myspace page: www.myspace.com/tayloreason.
This article appears in Jun 14-20, 2006.
