THE BACCHUS REPORT
With the end of summer fast approaching, a tasting report is in order. Soon the reds that are lying in wait and resting comfortably in the 56 degree storage cabinet will take center stage and the fall season will commence. First, however, warm weather favorites deserve their due. What a great summer it was for the nose and palette.
Veuve Clicquot, yellow label. A perennial favorite for those who enjoy a mid-to-full bodied Champagne. This yellow-golden wine made predominately of pinot noir and chardonnay grapes always delivers good fruit, structure and a hint of vanilla. To celebrate a special birthday in late July with a wino-dominant group of friends, we served yellow label with a pastry buffet of chocolate brownies a la Thomas Keller, strawberries, lemon tarts and Karen Krasne's Blood Orange Ricotta torte. What an evening.
Sancerre. This ever pleasing, food friendly import from the Loire valley should always be at the ready for impromptu affairs, summer dinners or whenever goat cheese appears on the table. The 100% sauvignon blanc wine is renowned for it's dry, light-to-medium body with aromatics and flavor of peaches. A personal favored menu to pair with a Sancerre is an Omelette aux Fines Herbes for two, salad of frisee, heirloom tomatoes and olives. For desert, a duo of goat cheeses: Crottin de Chavignol and Cypress Grove Chevre- Humbolt Fog or Purple Haze and an artisanal baguette...come on...unbeatable.
New world Sauvignon Blanc (SB). California produces some of the greatest SB in the world. The always pleasing Cakebread SB with the pop of golden delicious apples tempered with lime and mineral offers so many culinary pairings. Local halibut, shrimp or scallops prepared with minimum interference from the cook are always a hit with Cakebread. Morgan and Frogs Leap are other outstanding picks that offer crisp and refreshing wines with notes of citrus and lemon zest. Always good to keep a case in storage.
Rose: What would summer be without classic French Rose. Tavel, the dry rose from the rhone valley is a summer staple. Venturing into the Provencal wines brings a more fruit forward tasting profile and is synonymous with warm afternoons and casual gatherings. The strawberry flavors and cleansing acidity of the Cotes de Provence offerings lend themselves to lazy days feasting on tapenade, tomato saffron poached shell fish and conversation with the sounds of Dave Brubeck as a back drop.
Yes, summer is winding down. Schools are opening soon, high school and college football teams are preparing for the season and new college freshman are in their final few weeks before the big move-in. It's almost time to trade in the Bermuda shorts for long pants and sweaters and the leaves will be changing color back home in a month or two. Great memories of summer... but...where's my decanter? The big reds are calling.
