For the next couple weeks I decided to set out on a mission to find some great summer wines to enjoy throughout the season. Since I drink my fair share of nice crisp white wines during this warm, dry, season, I’m looking to find the best values this summer… so for my everyday whites I’m trying to keep them budget friendly (i.e. $7-$20-ish range). Don’t worry, this won’t be “all” that I will be drinking the next couple weeks, but hey when you drink as much wine as I do, I believe you should find yourself a good handful of great everyday go-to values otherwise you’ll be broke before you can say "summer solstice".
So yesterday I visited a couple of local shops and bought a mixed case of white wines to experiment with. And I’ll keep shopping at various local shops until I find the winner(s)… then buy in bulk!!! But first I need to know what I will like before going all crazy and shouting to the wine steward “Ill take the lot”!
Wine #1 in my quest for the perfect summer wines
Domaine Rosier Brut - Blanquette de Limoux (NV)
Yes, bubbles! Fitting for my first in the search for the best summer wines, since I (heart) bubbles so much.
I first had this wine a few months back at Wine Unwind, in downtown Portland, and even used it for a Sparkling Wine Education class that I taught recently. It is a lovely & crisp $12 wine find! I even saw it again today while buying salt at Meadow (yes, I do buy fancy cooking and finishing salts… Using quality salts make a HUGE difference in your cooking BTW). This particular bottle I bought at the Hollywood Fred Meyer. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, this particular Freddies has a great wine selection (and 10% off 6-packs... score)!
I opened up this wine last night while prepping for another night of smoking meats. While I did not specifically pair this wine with any food in particular, I did nibble on some goat cheese and crackers while sitting in my backyard admiring our smoker doing its thing.
I think this wine is a fabulous everyday value bubbly. The wine had a floral bouquet with a nice creamy mouth feel. The flavors finish long and dry on your palate and make you want to go back for seconds, and thirds, then back again. Awesome value, delicious wine for the price, and great for any occasion. Drink with appetizers, brunch, or alone as an aperitif!
I will definitely be purchasing a few more bottles of this wine for the coming summer months. Sunshine and good weather are reason enough to open up a bottle of bubbles… especially when those bubbles cost less than $12! It wasn’t very sunny yesterday, but I can only imagine how great this wine will taste when it is 80 degrees and sunny in my backyard. Crisp Deliciousness!
Winery: Located in the Limoux region in southwest France
Grapes: Mauzac and Chardonnay
Retail: $11.99
As seen locally at Hollywood Fred Meyer, Meadow Salts, Wine Unwind, to name a few.
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