This is a sauvignon blanc, that the winemaker has chosen to name Fume Blanc (don't know why they can't just call it Sauvignon Blanc, but there you are). Dry Creek Vineyard is located in Sonoma County, California. The label describes it as refreshing, crisp, citrus and grapefruit. It is created using stainless steel fermentation and no oak aging. Which reminds me - there are a number of vineyards who are moving away from oak or wood caskets of any kind, along with exchanging my cork for a screwtop or one made from plastic. The top I understand, the caskets not so much, although I am sure that those among you who are of the 'greener' persuasion would willingly educate me.
Okie dokie, on to the wine itself. I wrote the above before drinking anything, pretty much because once Tony and I have polished off a bottle of wine, I am less capable of typing. The label is not lying, it is both crisp and refreshing, when chilled. I put mine in the fridge, then open, and let it sit on the table while I am finishing the meal (perhaps about 10 - 15 minutes). I have tried to get into the habit of having a roast on Sundays.
Today we ate a "spoon roast", bought from Harmons, of the pork variety. This is a delicous, tender way to roast meat. The roast is seasoned with salt and pepper, and then wrapped in butcher paper and netting. The roast is baked at 250 degrees, for 2 hours per pound, so you definitely need to purchase it the day before. The reason it is called a spoon roast? Well, not surprisingly, you could eat it with a spoon by the time it is done. I served with mashed yellow potatoes and boiled carrots. Just as a tip, to bring out the natural sweetness of your carrots (or any other vegetable), add a pinch of salt.
This was a great wine to pair with this meal. The meal, in itself, could be considered a little heavy, as the pork can be a little fatty, and the potatoes have milk and butter mashed into them. The wine was a refreshing treat, that cleaned up the mouth nicely! So nicely, I am already short listing it for my summer drinking list.
Unfortunately, being a "normal" person, I don't necessarily get the grapefruit, although, I do get the citrus. It is dry, crisp and refreshing, almost tart. It tastes clean, and it smells like, well, white wine. It brings to mind a warm (hot in Utah), summers evening, when you need something cool and refreshing to accompany a fabulous summer salad, with fresh herbs from the garden, and recently rinsed lettuces. The smell of fresh cut grass is the perfect partner to the laughter of small children, and the satisfied sighs of adults who have enjoyed a great dinner, and released their children on unsuspecting participants of the evening constitutional.
I paid $11, which is above my usual range ($5 - $8) for a Sunday bottle of wine. That said, it is well worth the 11 bucks I paid. Tony and I enjoyed dinner, and we sat and finished the bottle while we chatted about our prior evening, which included much discussion about a great group of friends.
It has been said, by some of that group, that some of the recent white wines I have recommended have been enjoyable, and may have even changed their oppinion about white wine. All I can say to that is this, leave the Reisling behind (it's a gateway white), and move on to a white if a different flavor, like this sauvignon blanc. I highly recommend it, and, I think I might be serving it for my friends this summer.
Enjoy!
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