Well it has been a rather unusual summer but I like to consider myself an optimist; and although as I write this, it is only 12 degrees Celsius outside in the middle of July, I look forward to the coming warm days of summer. Not that we need an excuse, but once the warm days are upon us, we shall have the perfect opportunity to enjoy some cool white wines. Now, cool can mean temperature in the sense of cool and refreshing white wines; but it also can mean wines of unique and interesting character and in this article we can examine a few wines to which both uses of ‘cool’ can apply!
Bodegas Aruspide ‘Trio’ Blanco – a Spanish number from Castilla la Mancha, it is an appropriately named blend of three grapes. Chardonnay, Verdelho, and Airen, (which happens to be the most widely planted white wine grape in the world although most people have never heard of it). This is a country wine, medium bodied and un-oaked with a slightly rustic edge to it that offers up citrus peel, dried orchard fruit, and a subtle nutty spicy note with crisp acidity. Suitable for enjoying by the glass, but a great match for an afternoon tapenade platter.
Inca Torrontes-Chardonnay – an unusual Argentine blend that puts it all together and makes a terrific wine. You could say that Torrontes is the unofficial white wine grape of