I had a fun afternoon volunteering at the TAPAS grand festival in San Francisco, and had the opportunity to try a few nice bottles after my volunteer shift.   This Albarino was a big hit with the seminar attendees.   Very aromatic, with freshly sliced green apple and sweet lemon on the nose.   The midpalate is crisp yet also a little juicy and I definitely taste that ripe citrus fruit.   Finish is racy…   some nice acidity with lemon and pineapple notes.   Nice and balanced, with enough acidic backbone to make it a nice food wine.   This is a great summer white that would ROCK with grilled seafood!

I went to Abacela’s table to try a few of their other wines and really enjoyed the whole lineup.   Very tasty wines!  

$18/bottle

http://www.abacela.com/

Triple

When someone working for one of the most amazing wineries in Napa recommends a good local sauvignon blanc, you must try it.   Thank you to John from Viader for the suggestion!   I had mentioned that I love sauv blancs from Rutherford, and he recommended Mason.   I had heard of their wines, but had never tried them.   Imagine my excitement when I saw the bottle at my local Whole Foods*!

Ahh, look at that pretty label.   LOVE.   Very light in color, almost clear.   Sniff….    Flowers (think fresh cut tulips), lemon-lime, grapefruit and honeydew melon.   Wow, this sauv blanc has a nice midpalate!   Tropical, ripe, and pineapple-y.   Same theme on the finish, and the finish definitely lingers.   Great acidity yet a little sweetness too.   Not a touch of oak, just how I like my sauv blanc!  It really did remind me of a pineapple, and the floral notes set it apart from the sauv blancs that I’ve had where fresh cut grass dominates.   Very refreshing summer white!   And the acidity makes this an awesome food wine  :-)

$15.99/bottle

Home Run

* Is there a support group for Whole Foods addicts?   I think I may have a problem.