Spring has already made its presence known in Southern California. Really, it seems at times that summer is trying to crash the party. There's no need to rush things along. At my place, we have already begun the spring planting routine. I use the word "we" loosely. Denise has actually been doing most of the heavy lifting in that area while I take care of other springtime activities. Taking a nap on the couch, for instance. Taking a nap in the lawn chair on the deck. There are lots of places that need to get napped in before spring gets away from us, and I'm working diligently to cover those places while Mrs. Green Jeans sees to it that we can get yellow corn this summer. It sure is hard to find it anywhere else.
I expect my work load to get a little heavier after she reads this, so let's quickly find a nice white wine to refresh us after toting a hundred pounds of mulch up the hill.
Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes will do nicely. Balbo makes wine in the Mendoza region of Argentina. I'm told the word "crios" means "offspring," so she's letting us know right up front that she considers her wine to be more than a product. But, just between you and me, it's a really good product. And Torrontes is a favorite grape for me in the warmer months.
The wine is a pale golden color in the glass, with a nose of ripe apricots, peaches and pears bathed in honey. There is a sort of oleander aroma, too. It's such a lovely smell, it almost made me think I had opened a late harvest wine by mistake.
Sipping it at room temperature, a lively acidity is the first thing I notice. Bracing and fresh, the flavor of peaches with orange peel takes over. There is no oak in this wine, so the fruit is there in all its glory. It fills the mouth well and has a rather creamy texture, especially when chilled. That's how I'm going to have it - after I tote that mulch up the hill.
Showing posts with label oleander. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oleander. Show all posts
Friday, May 7, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Summerland Winery Orange Muscat 2008
Summerland Winery, just east of Santa Barbara, is better known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay than Orange Muscat, but after tasting this one in their tasting room I had to bring a bottle home. The tasting room is "seaside cute" on the outside, and "Santa Barbara rustic" on the inside. Summerland Winery is the easternmost point on Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail, and is well worth a stop when you're passing by on your way to some other place.
The Orange Muscat's clear bottle has a label full of sunflowers, giving the look of a perfect invitation to summer. The nose features apricots, or maybe a basket of overripe peaches. It's lush, but not overly sweet. Floral notes abound on the nose and the palate, with some honeysuckle and oleander.
I know I'll be back in Summerland sometime during its namesake season, and I'll be looking for this great summer wine when I'm there.
Variety: 100% Orange Muscat
Appelation: California > Central Coast > Santa Barbara County
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol Content: 12.5% abv
Price: $17
Acquisition disclaimer: Purchased by the author
The Orange Muscat's clear bottle has a label full of sunflowers, giving the look of a perfect invitation to summer. The nose features apricots, or maybe a basket of overripe peaches. It's lush, but not overly sweet. Floral notes abound on the nose and the palate, with some honeysuckle and oleander.
I know I'll be back in Summerland sometime during its namesake season, and I'll be looking for this great summer wine when I'm there.
Variety: 100% Orange Muscat
Appelation: California > Central Coast > Santa Barbara County
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol Content: 12.5% abv
Price: $17
Acquisition disclaimer: Purchased by the author
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