Those of us in California are continuing the cope with the grim dryness of our landscape in this record-breaking drought. And what better way to do so than swirling a glass of chilled white wine as we team up together to minimize our water use. Bottoms up!
Kistler – 2013 ‘Les Noisetiers’ Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, CA
$60
This wine is just straight yummy with aromas of melon, cashew, fresh wood and a hint of smoke. Its round body structure makes way for its fresh acidity and ripe notes of lemon verbena, toasted oak and coconut oil on the finish. –JA
Claude Branger – 2013 ‘Les Fils de Gras Mouton’ Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie
Loire Valley, France
$13
This is a gorgeous wine at a fantastic value with scents of pink grapefruit, green apple, bay laurel and a touch of salinity. Undeniably high acid with a soft medium body and a spritzy zing of lemon squeeze, alluvial minerality and a nice finish of white pepper. –JA
Villa Medoro – 2012 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Abruzzo, Italy
$20
Like a summer day along the Adriatic Sea with its perfumes of Bartlett pear, lemon curd, honeysuckle and flinty minerality. With a full richness in body that pairs well with its zesty acidity, the mineral precision embraces its muscular elegance and long finish of lime blossom. –JA
Ca’ del Bosco – 2008 Vintage Brut
Lombardy, Italy
$75
This bottle of bubbly perplexes you with its sourdough and savory qualities while unveiling aromas of quince, apricot, celery and smoky minerality. Its crisp acidity is rounded out by rich flavors of ripe pear and lemon juice on the finish. –JA
Peter-Jakob Kuhn – 2013 Jakobus Riesling
Rheingau, Germany
$20
A majestic off-dry medley of ripe peach, marmalade and candied banana express the bright fruit essences of the wine while illustrating a sense of distinct minerality and zippy acidity that culminates with a lingering finish of chamomile. –JA