Curiosity has finally led me away from my go-to reds and roses, down a path of cold, refreshing whites. I know we’re rapidly approaching fall and everyone is screaming “PUMPKIN SPICE” but here in the South it continues to be 90+ degrees everyday, so I’m still exploring chilled wine. So let’s go to France, non? I picked up a couple of things from Total Wine (my effort to keep things I review highly accessible to many instead of the unique, limited release types).  

First a Muscadet from the Loire Valley, 4 stars. This is NOT a muscadine wine or a muscato, it is not sweet.  It is actually made from a grape called Melon de Bourgogne, a hardy grape that dominates the Loire Valley and can handle the cold (but sometimes is harder to ripen).  This gives it great acidity. For this one, the quality is good, price point under $15, and I’d totally buy it again.

• Wine: Chateau du Jaunay Muscadet Sévre & Maine Sur Lie 2016
• Look: clear and pale
• Smell: clean, low intensity, grapefruit and stone
• Taste: off dry (fancy wine talk for not really sweet but not totally dry), high acid, no tannin, light body, green apple and honeysuckle
• Notes: low alcohol, short finish, good quality, ready to drink and balanced

Staying in the Loire Valley, we go to the appellation (area) of Vouvray, for a dry style made from the Chenin Blanc grape. I’ve always loved Chenin Blanc with Brie…this one gets 3 stars and is also under $15.

• Wine: Clos Chapon Vouvray Sec 2016
• Look: clear, pale, gold
• Smell: clean, low intensity, apricot, grapefruit, herbal
• Taste: dry, high acid, no tannin, medium body, peach, nutmeg, honeysuckle, grapefruit
• Notes: medium alcohol, medium finish, acceptable quality, ready to drink, balanced.

Next, but moving down in France (geographically) to Bordeaux is a white blend of acceptable quality, 2 stars. Blend of grapes: Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon. Price point around $11.

• Wine: Chateau L’Oiseau Bordeaux 2016
• Look: Clear, pale, lemon green
• Smell: Clean, medium intensity, grapefruit/lemon/honey
• Taste: Dry, high acidity, no tannin, medium body, lemon, nutmeg
• Notes: High alcohol, long finish, slightly oily, acceptable quality, ready to drink.

Skipping further south to Spain for a refreshing Vinho Verde…typically slightly effervescent and green apple flavors, this is an easy sipping porch cooler and also great with food. I was a little surprised that it had no vintage!  Price point under $10 and I gave it 2.5 stars.

• Wine: Casal Garcia Vinho Verde NV (NV = non vintage)
• Look: clear, pale, lemon green, slight bubbles
• Smell: clean, medium intensity, major grapefruit, green apple, mineral
• Taste: effervescent, off dry, high acidity, no tannin, light body but a little creamy, granny smith apple, marzipan
• Notes: low alcohol, short finish, acceptable quality, ready to drink, unbalanced.