07/11/07 Summer White Wines

Welcome to Vine to Wine I'm your host Linda Moran. I had a request from friends to supply them with a list of white wines that were not the ones they normally might buy for the summer. On today's program, I am going to share that list of summer white wines with you. Spain is literally a land committed to wine. In the northwestern region of Spain is grown the grape Albarino, a grape variety that only until recently was one of the world's most obscure grapes. The wines made from the Albarino grapes are some of the most sought after white wines in Spain and with their increased export they are becoming quite popular in the United States. They are rarely wines to drink by themselves but are a perfect wine for seafood, drier cheeses, olives and almonds of course. They may be a bit hard to find in the grocery store but most wine shops will stock a variety of them. Another very good summer white is Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio. Look for some from Oregon, France and Italy. Speaking of Italian whites, the region of Abruzzi is well known for Trebbiano a very crisp and refreshing summer white wine. Another delicate and often perfumed summer recommendation is Viognier try some from Washington state. For me nothing is more refreshing than a cold glass of bubbly on a warm summer evening. If you like something fruity with low alcohol, consider an Asti Spumante; or if you like something drier that will go well with food consider a Blanc de Noir. Start trying out some great summer wines that you may have overlooked in the past and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.