Yesterday afternoon was so beautiful that a glass of wine on a patio was a requirement. If you are looking for some inexpensive, approachable white wines to sip on this weekend on your favorite patio reach for one of these. Some were sent for editorial consideration, all are tasty.
Masi MasiancoPinot Grigio/Verduzzo blend is a perfect aperitif, with big round tropical fruit flavors of pineapple, banana with a light layer of citrus. The wine does go through partial malolactic fermentation giving it texture and a round mouthfeel with good body and a long finish.
Clos du Bois has been making easy drinking, food friendly wines for over 30 years and their spring collection is dedicated to great craftsmanship and style. The North Coast Sauvignon Blanc is filled with lemon, lime and orange blossom balanced with good herbal and floral notes, finishing with a hint of honeysuckle. An easy sipper any time of day, and only $12 a bottle.
Santa Christina Pinot Grigio is a top inexpensive white wine. About $10 a bottle the wine is vibrant and bright with white peach, pear and green apple from hand-harvested, manually de-stemmed and crushed grapes. The Antinori family began making this wine for Santa Christina in 2006 and each year this favorite white of Italy gets better with great pairing versatility, and Italian character. Available for about $15 a bottle at Jimmy’s.
The characteristics many look for in a Sauvignon Blanc have been defined by how winemakers in New Zealand handle this varietal, with big grapefruit, lemon and gooseberry. Villa Maria has refined this a bit with their Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc. The big citrus flavors are there, but they are intertwined with subtle herbal aromas with good minerality and balanced acidity. A fresh and clean wine for about $15 a bottle, great for sipping on it own or pairing with grilled chicken or white fish.
If you are looking for a similar flavor profile to a Sauvignon Blanc try a Torrontes. The wine grape of Argentina, Torrontes has a pronounced floral and white fruit aroma, followed by a vibrant, acidic flavor. Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Unoaked Torrontes is fresh and very fruit forward with mango, pear and peach mingled with lemongrass, orange blossom and a hint of spice on the finish.
