The non-winter has turned into non-spring and when the mercury recently hit 92 degrees, yes 92, it was time for a nicely chilled white on the patio. With the dog running around, and a pre-dinner snack, of some grissini, and an interesting “brie” made from goat cheese, we opened the 2010 Dry Creek Vineyard Fume Blanc. This is pure Sauvignon Blanc that takes it’s name from France’s Pouilly Fume region whose wines are comprised of Sauvignon Blanc.
The wine is pale golden, it looks barely darker than water – but the flavors are there. The nose is filled with lemon, newly mown lawn, and slight herbs. In the mouth, the wine is crisp and refreshing. Not a trace of oak. It’s lemony, flinty, medium bodied and very refreshing. It was great with the goat cheese. It’s a no brainer to have some of this around when the weather gets hot. Regardless of whether you serve it as an apperitif, or accompany light pastas, shellfish, or pesto, you will not be disappointed. This is the perfect summer sipper. About $12, 89 points.
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| 2010 Dry Creek Vineyard Fume Blanc |
I really wish California winemakers would voluntarily "standardize" Sauvignon Blanc by bottling unoaked Sauvignon Blanc as "Sauvignon Blanc" and oaked Sauvignon Blanc as "Fume Blanc."
I really hate it when I buy a Fume Blanc and there's no oak or smoke.
I didn't even really know that was the loose idea behind the labelling. That's interesting. I pretty much just focus on whites that have no oak, and continue to buy what I like. I just grabbed some Planeta Bianco I'll write up soon. It's almost all an indigenous Sicilian grape that I'm not familiar with, so I'm curious to try it.
John, I have this wine, but not had the chance to open it; you just may have motivated me.
I've only had the Planeta Syrah, but I very much liked it, and that bodes well for the one you have.
Dennis,
Curious to hear your thoughts. It's certainly made by nice enough people and also fairly priced and widely available. I am curious to try the Planeta – but this weekend is going to be rainy and cold here, so I'm not so sure it will be white weather…
J