Some Great Whites for Warm Months

In this edition, I am going to jump right in: As we are spending more time at home and outside, I am bringing you a little guide to spring/summer wines.

By Jeffrey Cohen

When the heat is getting to you and you are seeking the perfect, refreshing glass of wine, these are the characteristics that you should be looking for:

High acidity
Light to medium body
Dry taste

If you happen to grab a bottle of sweeter wine, just try to make sure it also has a good amount of acidity. There is a harmony between sweet peaches and honeycomb that finishes with hints of citrus.

Many white wines have a good bite to them, making them wonderful partners to seafood as well as cream-based dishes.

Riesling

Available in both sweet and dry versions, it is one of the most aromatic wines out there. This refreshing option makes a well-rounded choice for your meal because it is so versatile. The sweeter style will pair extra-well with your spicier dishes. The drier style is perfect for grilled chicken and most comfort foods.

Sauvignon Blanc

Like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc traces its roots back to France. It is known as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume in the Loire region and is the most prevalent grape in the white wines from Bordeaux. The “Sauv. Blanc” grape acts as a true barometer of soil, site and viticulture practices. Plainly said, it picks up very different characteristics depending on where it is grown. However, wherever it is grown and whatever distinct flavor profile it has, it will always be medium to high in acidity. That is why it is a perfect wine for the heat.

Pinot Grigio

Also known as Pinot Gris, this typically comes from Italy and France, although there are fine Pinot Gris that come out of the Pacific Northwest, especially from the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Depending on the region that it is grown, the flavor profiles can vary mightily. This, in my opinion, will be the lightest and easiest to drink just as an aperitif before dinner or a cocktail.

Soave

The most common flavors of Soave are peach, honeydew, citrus zest and sweet marjoram with subtle notes of saltiness. Like Pinot Grigio, it gets its roots from Northeastern Italy. Garganega is the grape which is grown in the hillside vineyards east of Verona, in the Veneto wine region. There are three main subregions of Soave:

Recioto di Soave
Soave Classico
Soave Superior

Albarino

Spain’s quintessential white wine is a delightfully refreshing coastal white that grows on the Iberian Peninsula. To be a little more specific, it is grown in Rías Baixas in Galicia. It is loved for its stone fruit flavors and a hint of salinity. It pairs amazingly with all types of seafood and can handle a little spice as well. The next time you are served paella, make sure to have a bottle of Albarino.

A lot like Pinot Grigio, this wine is for the perfect summer day on the patio. Don’t think about pairing it with food. Just drink, be refreshed and enjoy.

So ……… these are a few highlights for the upcoming season and rising temperatures.

DELIVERY SERVICE FOR RETAIL WINE

Delivery Service is available in Cordillera Ranch to our membership. Take advantage of Jeff’s expertise to find the wines you enjoy, saving time and trips outside the Ranch. Retail Wine has been a very popular program, and with deliveries to your front door, you can relax in the comfort of your home. A simple phone call to set up a delivery time is all that is needed. Most wine orders are filled within a week —some as soon as the next day. We want to make this the most convenient wine purchase you have ever had!

Stay safe and I’ll see you at the Club……

Jeff

Jeffrey Cohen is the Wine Specialist at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at jcohen@cordilleraranch.com or 210.677.9234.

You Might Also Enjoy....

Member Services

Get Away To It All

Set directly in the heart of Cordillera Ranch, a peaceful distance from the Clubhouse, The Lodges at Cordillera Ranch provide a nearby sanctuary for an exceptional getaway. The Lodges offer a luxurious residence for any guest. Whether you need to impress a colleague or provide for family coming in on holiday, no detail has been skipped when making sure each guest has a pleasurable experience that is unique to every individual.

Cordillera Ranch POA

Amenity Reservations on the Ranch

Cordillera Ranch offers a variety of amenities for property owners and the new POA website allows online reservations for those amenities. To place a reservation request, simply log into the Cordillera Ranch POA website at www.cordilleraranchpoa.com, use the drop down on the For Residents tab and select Reservations, which lists the multiple amenities available. Property owners will then need to select which amenity they wish to reserve, and fill out the online form. The completed form is sent to the POA to review, at which time the POA will approve or deny the request. Once a decision has been made by the POA, the property owner is notified.

Signature Vacations

Los Sueños Resort in Costa Rica

Join our Club staff as we visit beautiful Costa Rica and its outstanding Los Sueños Resort and Marina. Costa Rica is really a wonderful vacation destination. With one of the oldest and most stable democracies in the Americas, Costa Rica is relatively close to the U.S. and includes clean, uncrowded beaches; a happy, friendly population; and beautiful scenery. If you’re looking for a great fall vacation getaway, Costa Rica is the perfect choice. With ideal accommodations, adventure experiences and relaxation, what more could you ask for?

Manager's Message

Where Do You Spend Your Time?

I recently read a story retold by the father of a young family of three that included himself, his wife and their young daughter. According to his recounting, after dinner they were each challenged to share an object symbolic of how they would describe one another to a stranger. When it was the daughter’s turn to share the item she thought to be representative of her father, she produced a cell phone. At her young age, she wasn’t taking a sarcastic “shot” at her dad, rather, it was how she truly saw him when he was home.