Years ago, in writing a series of wine lessons, I tasted dozens of sauvignon blancs from around the world, and came up with this range of possible flavors: Dole’s pineapple chunks in extra heavy syrup, apricots, peaches, melons, figs, kiwi, fresh-cut lawn, lemon grass, grapefruit, limes, gooseberries, celery, bouquet garni, oregano, pencil lead, gunflint, and, finally, cat pee.
That’s some versatile wine, huh?
To help you decide what to buy, here are uggestions from wine experts:
• 2004 Covey Run Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley: floral aromas; flavors of lemons, limes, green apples and gooseberries; crisp acids; $9.
• 2004 Quivira Sauvignon Blanc Fig Tree Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley: sweet melon aromas, rich pineapple and other tropical fruit flavors, crisp; $19.
• 2005 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand: classic New Zealand gooseberry and grass aromas and flavors, rich but very crisp; $20.
• 2005 Santa Digna Sauvignon Blanc, Chile: sweet, ripe peach and mango flavors; smooth and lush; $10.
• 2005 Clos LaChance Estate Sauvignon Blanc: light and bright and crisp, with lemon-lime aromas and flavors; $16.
• 2004 White Truck California White Wine: rich and extra-fruity with ripe melon and pear flavors, soft and smooth; $12.
-2004 Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc, Napa Valley: aromas of oak and pineapples, rich flavors of mangoes and peaches; lush; $18.
-2005 Blackstone Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey County: rich peach and apricot flavors, crisp finish; $12.
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