Mercer Estates Pinot Gris (2007 – White Wine)

Jul 31 2009

Mercer Estates Pinot Gris

This week being “Passion for Pinot” week here at PalateBomb.com, we the writers all chose a different pinot based wine for you to hear about.  For today’s Friday post, Content Diva Wendy Cantu takes us for a walk on the lighter side of the pinot family… — SH

As I’ve mentioned before, white wines have never really been my thing (aside from a good solid month in 2007 in which I would only drink Silver Lake’s Roza Reisling – I know, madness, right?) So, when it came to reviewing a pinot, I was at a loss for which one to pick. Leaving it up to fate, I headed to Yoke’s Fresh Market and “spontaneously” picked up a bottle from the shelf – a 2007 Mercer Estates pinot gris.

Alright, I admit my pick wasn’t completely random. The bottle was situated conspicuously on a display at the end of a row and was hailing from vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA, which I’ve heard produces a nice pinot grape. And Being from the paramount wine producing Mercer family’s latest venture only helped its appeal. Finally, the fabulous $12 price tag sealed the deal (bargain wines are where I’m at three days before pay day!)

After giving this wine a chance to warm up (silly me, I over-chilled it), I could smell the rich and citrusy bouquet. Observing the color, it was a rich golden hue. On initial tasting, I was taken back a little by the almost honey-like sweetness. Not that it was bad, but, as I’ve said, sweet wines have not been my thing. The sweetness wasn’t overwhelming on the palate but I must say it was surprisingly full-bodied. The finish was crisp and evenly-balanced, lingering on the tongue for a few moments.

Because of my own preferences, I’m not sure if I’d actively seek out this wine again. I would recommend it for those who tend to enjoy the sweeter whites but are looking to expand their horizons. Those who are used to dryer whites (or reds) might find this wine a little too sweet for their tastes.

If I were to serve this with dinner, I’d most likely pair it with salmon fillets with a mango chutney to complement the citrusy flavor present in this wine.

Summer breeze…makes me want WINE! Seriously.

Jul 19 2009

One of my favorite summer pastimes is sitting outside, in the heat, drinking a cold glass of something wonderful – like a dry riesling, or a chenin blanc. In fact, let’s talk a little about the wonderfully versatile wine that is chenin blanc. What it is, what it pairs with, and which one I think fits the bill for summer drinking this year.

First off, what IS chenin? Well, the grape, vitis vinifera, is a wonderfully versatile fruit, that’s used to create many a dry white wine. Also, it’s common in dessert wines, sparkling wines and even forms of brandy. The grape does well in warm climates, even in climates considered too warm for other varietals, which is why Washington State has the perfect climate for this grape and many others.

Chenin blanc traditionally pairs well with many foods. The “white wine staples” like chicken or fish go well, and chenin can be a treat for all you asparagus lovers out there. I, on the other hand, like to venture into the unknown a little with my wine pairings, so read on.

Let’s get to the good stuff – the wine! One of my favorite chenin wines that has been consistently good throughout the years has been the L’Ecole No 41 “Walla Voila” Chenin Blanc. It is a tart but sweet white with a wonderful nose and taste that can only be described as clean and crisp. Imagine taking a ripe pear and smashing it together with a big Georgia peach then drizzling honey over it.

The wine sits at 13.5% alcohol, but is nicely balanced so it doesn’t leave you with a hot, alcoholic burn. It’s slightly sweet, but acidic enough that it goes great with heavily seasoned chicken and fish alike. I recently paired a bottle with “jerk” chicken, which was spicy enough to make my mouth (and eyes) water from just the smell. Even though the chicken spiciness was high, the wine stood its ground. Fresh grilled asparagus on the side made it a great meal combo! Grab a bottle or two of the current vintage of the L’Ecole Chenin Blanc and enjoy it on your patio, deck, or boat tonight because this wine…screams summer!