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From emeralds to grapes
By Brian Kervick
Special to the Coastal Point
Slainte! This is the term used in Dublin as you raise a pint to the lads. In this case, the lads were my brother Christian and best friend Thomas as we explored Ireland for family, tradition, and libation. As was no surprise, the only grapes we could find were not the full and bold grapes of a fine Cabernet or the light and spicy grapes of chardonnay, they were the rebellious grapes of black and tan used to brew Guinness. That’s right my fellow tasters, yours truly was forced to imbibe in the local traditions of Irish stout.
The Emerald Isle is just as beautiful as all of the songs, poems and stories that talk of it's colorful history. Our trip began in Waterford, where we found several of our cousins, one being Tommy Kervick, or as we began referring to him, the patron saint of “Craic.” “Craic,” of course, to the Irish means fun. Tommy was the proprietor of Kervick’s Irish Pub and our tour guide through the south. Our travels also took us up north to Belfast, where our “Black Taxi” toured the Falls Road and the Shankill Road. Then back to Dublin, home of the famed Liffey River, where we experienced one of the best St. Patrick’s Days of my life. This was truly a life-altering expedition.
Now it’s time to forget about the Emerald Isle and get back to business. Spring is in the air, tourists are flocking back to the beach and the local fishermen are filling the bins with fresh seafood. There is no better time for me to discuss the summer white wines that have impressed me early this season. This article will feature the six white wines that have consistently made my recommendation list. There are three California Chardonnays, two Italian Pinot Grigios and a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. These wines will enhance any summer dish including: fresh seafood, seasonal salads and garden vegetables.
The first of my early summer picks is Mountain View Chardonnay from Monterey County, Calif. This buttery Chardonnay not only remains at the top of my selection list, but also has topped the recommendation list of famous wine critic Robert Parker. With its tropical fruit aroma and ripe crisp flavor, properly chilled Mountain View can be enjoyed with any local seafood dish. Also on my list of summer Chardonnay is an old standby. In most of my favorite restaurants, my first request, if I’m drinking white, is for a vintage Sebastiani. This fine white wine blends perfectly with any meal or festive occasion. Sebastiani is a medium bodied Chardonnay and is very light in color. The true taste blends tropical fruits, apples and a hint of vanilla. Most of the grapes for this wine come from the Russian River Valley and Carneros. These are the optimum areas of Sonoma for producing well-balanced Chardonnay. My final recommendation for California Chardonnay hails from the Napa Valley. I usually reserve the Napa Valley for my selections of big hearty Cabernets but I would be remiss if I didn’t include my favorite vineyard on this summer list. The Trefethen library selection Chardonnay is unmatched when recommending age worthy whites to my family and friends. This mature Chardonnay embodies a pleasant blend of oak and citrus fruits. Trefethen is a step up on the price list but I usually reserve this selection for my more experienced wine tasters and those who are in search of that special evening.
Traveling to the other side of the globe, my next recommendation is imported from the islands of New Zealand. The River Side Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect selection for the summer season wine list. This smooth, soft well-balanced white wine is a perfect substitute for those who are bored with the usual Chardonnays. This would be my choice if I were sitting on the beach or sharing a light summer meal that included fruits or vegetables. Another plus for this selection is that it is very reasonably priced.
I could not compile a list of summer white wines without including the two premier Italian Pinot Grigios. When I first tasted Tomaiolo Pinot Grigio, I was very impressed not only with the fresh fruit taste, but with the unexpected reasonable price tag. It is a medium bodied wine with a refreshing crisp balance of fruit. Tomaiolo is a classic estate bottled Pinot and is a tribute to the authentic style of Italian wine making. Also included in this category is a longstanding favorite of mine, a wine that I could recommend to every white wine taster. Ca’Montini L’ Aristocratico Pinot Grigio, or as we in the business simply call it, Aristocratico, sits at the top of every wine critic’s list. The beautiful tapered bottle wrapped in white paper is a benchmark for those who know class in the wine industry. Like its presentation, the taste is excellent. Those who taste Aristocratico agree the taste is a perfect blend of crisp apples and peaches. This winery is fairly young and is situated in the cool region of Trentino in the foothills of the Alps. Even without the test of a long history, this wine has received high marks from critics worldwide and has earned a permanent place on my list of recommendations.
Please enjoy these six whites over your summer vacation and remember that the art of wine drinking is an exciting exploration. If you would like to enhance your journey and are interested in exploring fine wines with me, I would like to invite our readers to join the Ocean Sands Tasters and Wine Club or sign up for the quarterly newsletter. For more information, please feel free to send me an e-mail at Dewinespecialist@aol.com.
For now, relax, enjoy, continue to explore and always drink responsibly and just in case you need me, I’m always around to answer any questions.
Brian Kervick is a wine specialist at Beach Liquors in Bethany Beach.
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