Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
While a dip in the pool sounds like a great way to beat the summer heat, a glass of crisp white wine can be just as refreshing. The 2015 Rutini Trumpeter Torrontés and Domaine du Tariquet Classic fit the bill, fresh, aromatic wines that pack a flavor punch, juicy and thirst-quenching, and great bang for the buck, you can afford to drink these sleek beauties everyday!
Torrontés is Argentina’s signature white grape, grown in high altitude vineyards in the Mendoza region. Rutini Wines, a pioneer of Argentinean winemaking, is well known for Malbec but a recent push to quality has led to many changes under the direction of head winemaker Mariano Di Paolo. Rutini has modernized its facilities and expanded its vineyards. Tinkering with the best sites and winemaking techniques, Rutini takes advantage of the intense sunlight and slow snow melt of the cooler climate Andes foothills, its stony and sandy soils patiently nurture the winegrapes during a long hang time. Here, in the heart of the Uco Valley, Torrontés has found its sweet spot and full expression. Di Paolo prefers Torrontés wines from here over traditional plantings in Salta, since Salta grapes can be slightly bitter and higher in alcohol.
The Rutini Trumpeter Torrontés 2015 (SRP $10.99), 100% Torrontés, is exotic and highly floral, think jasmine and rose, and has aromas of white peaches. It’s crisp and fresh, with a round body, good acidity and structure. Unoaked, the wine’s distinct aromas and flavors shine. Ripe tropical fruit, citrus, and peach flavors make for a mouth-filling experience, which continues on the very long finish. This is a very nice wine for the price, and pairs well with seafood, chicken, summer salads, cheese and fruit. Serve chilled but to get the most of the intense aromas, allow the wine to warm up slightly when coming directly from the fridge, so that this floral and fruity wine can best express itself.
Domaine du Tariquet Classic 2015 (SRP $9.99) is a blend, 45% Ugni Blanc, 35% Colombard, 10% Sauvignon Blanc, and 10% Gros Manseng, an IGP Côtes de Gascogne produced from local grape varietals grown on the hills of Gascony in Southwest France. Le Tariquet is a family run winery, with a history of over 100 years of winemaking. A quarter century ago, winemaker Yves Grassa began an experiment, breaking the traditional rules by planting Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay alongside the local varieties. Blending fresh and fruity wines of finesse and elegance, ready to drink within a year of the vintage, and easy on the pocketbook, Domaine du Tariquet has distinguished itself worldwide with their affordable lineup of white wines, especially their flagship entry-level wine, Tariquet Classic.
Domaine du Tariquet Classic is enticingly aromatic and mineral, and captivates with its nose and palate. At first whiff, you start to salivate, and get lost in the floral and citrus aromas, with a hint of tropical fruit, framed with mineral notes. On the palate, it’s intense, with citrus and mineral flavors, accented with a hint of salty sea spray and spice, finishing long and clean, reviving your palate for the next bite of food or sip of wine. It's a perfect pair for all seafood, as its saline-like finish compliments briny oysters, crunchy soft shell crabs, fragrant prawns, plump clams and mussels, and delicate fish. Dry, yet fruity, the bracing acidity makes for a delicious wine aperitif, or a thirst quenching summer white. Well balanced and fresh, with 11.5% ABV, it’s seductive in its concentration and unexpected in its tapestry of flavors. Serve well chilled, and this fresh wine will blossom as it unfolds on your palate.
Both wines are great values and are widely available. The Domaine du Tariquet Classic is especially great with food, yet delicious on its own, you’ll want to stock up on this beauty for all seasons. Oyster happy hour, fish and shellfish, and even charcuterie, here we come!
While a dip in the pool sounds like a great way to beat the summer heat, a glass of crisp white wine can be just as refreshing. The 2015 Rutini Trumpeter Torrontés and Domaine du Tariquet Classic fit the bill, fresh, aromatic wines that pack a flavor punch, juicy and thirst-quenching, and great bang for the buck, you can afford to drink these sleek beauties everyday!
Torrontés is Argentina’s signature white grape, grown in high altitude vineyards in the Mendoza region. Rutini Wines, a pioneer of Argentinean winemaking, is well known for Malbec but a recent push to quality has led to many changes under the direction of head winemaker Mariano Di Paolo. Rutini has modernized its facilities and expanded its vineyards. Tinkering with the best sites and winemaking techniques, Rutini takes advantage of the intense sunlight and slow snow melt of the cooler climate Andes foothills, its stony and sandy soils patiently nurture the winegrapes during a long hang time. Here, in the heart of the Uco Valley, Torrontés has found its sweet spot and full expression. Di Paolo prefers Torrontés wines from here over traditional plantings in Salta, since Salta grapes can be slightly bitter and higher in alcohol.
The Rutini Trumpeter Torrontés 2015 (SRP $10.99), 100% Torrontés, is exotic and highly floral, think jasmine and rose, and has aromas of white peaches. It’s crisp and fresh, with a round body, good acidity and structure. Unoaked, the wine’s distinct aromas and flavors shine. Ripe tropical fruit, citrus, and peach flavors make for a mouth-filling experience, which continues on the very long finish. This is a very nice wine for the price, and pairs well with seafood, chicken, summer salads, cheese and fruit. Serve chilled but to get the most of the intense aromas, allow the wine to warm up slightly when coming directly from the fridge, so that this floral and fruity wine can best express itself.
Domaine du Tariquet Classic 2015 (SRP $9.99) is a blend, 45% Ugni Blanc, 35% Colombard, 10% Sauvignon Blanc, and 10% Gros Manseng, an IGP Côtes de Gascogne produced from local grape varietals grown on the hills of Gascony in Southwest France. Le Tariquet is a family run winery, with a history of over 100 years of winemaking. A quarter century ago, winemaker Yves Grassa began an experiment, breaking the traditional rules by planting Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay alongside the local varieties. Blending fresh and fruity wines of finesse and elegance, ready to drink within a year of the vintage, and easy on the pocketbook, Domaine du Tariquet has distinguished itself worldwide with their affordable lineup of white wines, especially their flagship entry-level wine, Tariquet Classic.
Domaine du Tariquet Classic is enticingly aromatic and mineral, and captivates with its nose and palate. At first whiff, you start to salivate, and get lost in the floral and citrus aromas, with a hint of tropical fruit, framed with mineral notes. On the palate, it’s intense, with citrus and mineral flavors, accented with a hint of salty sea spray and spice, finishing long and clean, reviving your palate for the next bite of food or sip of wine. It's a perfect pair for all seafood, as its saline-like finish compliments briny oysters, crunchy soft shell crabs, fragrant prawns, plump clams and mussels, and delicate fish. Dry, yet fruity, the bracing acidity makes for a delicious wine aperitif, or a thirst quenching summer white. Well balanced and fresh, with 11.5% ABV, it’s seductive in its concentration and unexpected in its tapestry of flavors. Serve well chilled, and this fresh wine will blossom as it unfolds on your palate.
Both wines are great values and are widely available. The Domaine du Tariquet Classic is especially great with food, yet delicious on its own, you’ll want to stock up on this beauty for all seasons. Oyster happy hour, fish and shellfish, and even charcuterie, here we come!