2008 Honig Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

2008 Honig Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

I’ve tasted and liked the 2008 Honig Sauvignon Blanc in the past, but I recently sampled it again during a Sauvignon Blanc tasting and really enjoyed how different it was compared to the others. Here are three things I appreciated about this wine:

’08 Honig Sauvignon Blanc

1) It is medium-bodied, which I miss in many other Sauvignon Blancs in this price range.

2) As the wine warmed a bit, I got a big mouthful of chewy mango and tons of other tropical fruits.

3) The finish is pleasantly long with bouncy citrusy notes.

I typically think of Sauvignon Blanc for warm Summer parties where a refreshing, uncomplicated wine is de rigueur, but the ’08 Honig would also be perfect with a roasted pork chop in the middle of Winter.

Note: 89 points Robert Parker

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $15.99

2007 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc

'07 Dog Point

’07 Dog Point

Not the limeade-watery Sauvignon Blanc typical of many affordable bottles.  This wine from Marlborough, New Zealand, is medium to full-bodied and offers pleasantly intense herbal and ripe fruit flavors.  This wine has a longish finish and some texture to it.

For fans of Cloudy Bay, this is perhaps a better wine and a must-try.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Price: $20

2008 Hirsch Gruner Veltliner Heiligenstein

2008 Hirsch Gruner Veltliner Heiligenstein

2008 Hirsch Gruner Veltliner

2008 Hirsch Gruner Veltliner

Sampled this wine as part of a tasting menu at Bouley last weekend.  For those of you who enjoy fresh and crisp Gruner Veltliner, this is a good rendition.  This Weingut Hirsch wine has a citrus, apple, herbal aroma that had me sniffing for several minutes before taking a first sip.  This wine offers a mouthful of juicy fruit that’s incredibly food-friendly.  The finish was smooth with just a trace of pepper.

Around $23.

2008 Provenance Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

2008 Provenance Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

This food-friendly Sauvignon Blanc was rated 91 by Wine Spectator and deserves the honor.  It has a well-balanced level of acidity and is pleasantly dry.  There’s a brightness about the 2008 Provenance Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc that’s vibrant with peach – tropical fruit – lemon flavors and hints of minerals.

Paired well with apple, grilled cheese and with shrimp.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $17

2008 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

2008 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

2008 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

I’ve purchased this Kim Crawford wine several times for casual dinners where I didn’t want to spend a ton of money but still wanted to enjoy a decent glass of wine. I wasn’t disappointed again last night when I uncorked, um, unscrewed, another bottle.

We paired this bottle with Thai food and found that it cut through the heat of the dishes well.  I typically buy Rieslings to pair with spicy food, but this Sauvignon Blanc stood up to the heat and provided a refreshing pale green mouthful of grassy lime.  I agree with the following review:

“Fragrant and complex, with a refreshing burst of lime, guava, grapefruit and grass flavors,” wrote Wine Spectator, awarding it 91 points. “Wet stone, passion fruit and oyster shell accents add interest, with bright acidity highlighting the vivid finish. Another outstanding Sauvignon from a perennial success. Drink now.”

For about $14 a bottle, this is a solid buy.  Pairs well with spicy foods, would be great with a light fish or with chicken, and can be found at most wine stores across the country.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Price: $14