Picnic Pours

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    he next time you pack a picnic lunch, include one of these crisp, light white wines. After all, what’s better on a bright, sunny day than a picnic, complete with good company, good food, and a great bottle of wine? (Just don’t forget the corkscrew!)

    • Maculan Pinot & Toi, 2005. ($13.99). From Italy’s Veneto region, a fruit-forward, yet dry blend of Pinot Grigio, Pinot Biano, and Tocai. This wine is perfect as a starter with light appetizers.
    • Chateau Graville-Lacoste, 2005. ($15.99). A delicious and crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Graves in Bordeaux. Pair with shrimp, oysters, and even walleye.
    • Lagar De Cervera Albariño, 2005. ($21.99). Albariño is a premier, mineral white from the Rias Baixas area in northwest Spain. Try this with grilled salmon.
    • Pellegrini Chardonnay, Russian River, 2005. ($15.99). New arrival, dry and full bodied, yet no oak (unoaked)! Ideal with grilled or cold chicken and fresh garlic potato salad.
    • *Courtesy of France 44

    • Gratien & Meyer Saumur Sparkling Brut (Loire, France) NV. Aromas of pears and flowers combine with hints  of tart apple and pear on the palate.
    • Chateau L’Ermitage, (Roussane/Grenche Blanc blend) Costieres de Nimes 2005 (Rhone, France). This medium-bodied blend has aromas of floral and tropical spices; on the palate enjoy stone fruit, mild spices, and hints of tropical fruit.
    • Birgit Eichinger, Gruner Veltliner “Hasel Vineyard” 2005 (Kamptal, Austria). A medium bodied wine with pineapple and floral notes and small hints of honey.
    • Morgan, Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Monterey, California). A bright light to medium bodied wine with lemongrass, melon and tropical citrus fruit. Hints of oak with a creamy texture round out this Sauvignon Blanc.
    • *Courtesy of W.A. Frost & Company

    • Chateau St. Croix’s 2003 Wild River Rose ($13) has hints of flowers to the nose and is sure to go well with a baby green salad and sliced strawberries.
    • Chateau St. Croix’s 2005 Chardonnay ($14) goes well with grilled asparagus wrapped in prosciutto ham or smoked salmon. This nonoaked Chardonnay is mild and fruity with hints of honeysuckle and apple.
    • Chateau St. Croix’s Best of Show 2004 Symphony ($12) is delightful with artisan cheeses, apples and chocolate. It has flavors of pears, peaches and a hint of banana.
    • Chateau St. Croix’s 2003 Pinot Grigio ($9) is a light, delicate wine that pairs well with chicken or turkey.
    • *Courtesy of Chateau St. Croix Winery

    • WineHaven Lakeside Chardonnay, 2005. ($12). Unoaked whites are more refreshing out in the open than big oaky Chardonnays. The bold aroma of Chardonnay fruit is accompanied by hints of butter and vanilla. A superb complement to fish and poultry.
    • WineHaven Riesling, 2006. ($12). Picnic drinks should be refreshing, and this wine fits the bill, with abundant peach, pear and floral notes remaining distinct through the soft finish. This Reisling sings out for salads and mild cheeses.
    • WineHaven Semi-Sweet Honeywine. ($10). Spice up your picnic this year—don’t be afraid to experiment! We’ve found that WineHaven’s Semi-Sweet Honeywine is the perfect wine to serve with spicy Thai, Mexican, or Chinese cuisine.
    • *Courtesy of WineHaven Winery and Vineyard

    • Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc. ($9.99). A vibrant bouquet of citrus and tropical fruits, layered with subtle notes of fresh cut grass, give this wine its aroma. On the palate, Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc has ripe, zesty flavors of grapefruit, kiwi, and pineapple, balancing intense fruit flavors with fresh acidity, fullness, and length.
    • Covey Run Riesling, 2005. ($8.99). Botrytis flavors are muted and blend well with the lush Riesling character. A floral nose hints of citrus blossoms, honeysuckle, green apples, nuts and spice. The Late Harvest Riesling is perfect to sip by itself or with fresh fruit and cheese, but truly shines when paired with spicy Asian cuisine.
    • 3-Blind Moose Chardonnay, 2005. ($9.99). Lifted citrus and tropical fruit aromas with subtle oak and butter tones; rich, round palate with fresh tropical fruit flavors and hints of butter cream, oak toast, and baked bread.
    • Toasted Head Chardonnay, 2005. ($14.99). The Toasted Head 2005 Chardonnay  has spiced, ripe pear and nectarine aromas, with a touch of mango, tropical fruit, and vanilla. On the palate, fresh nectarine, citrus, and tropical fruits are complemented by toasty butterscotch oak. 
    • *Courtesy of Centerra Wine Company

    • 2005 Miner Viognier ($20). Aromas of fresh flowers with honeysuckle and tropical fruit flavors, this Viognier is clean and racy and finishes with a refreshing tang. This wine is dry (no residual sugar) and has a pleasant acidity that makes it the perfect foil for a wide range of foods from spicy Thai to simple chicken dishes, salads and seafood. This is ideal wine for summertime sipping and when you want something other than the usual white to pair with your picnic lunch. Cheese selections that complement the effusively aromatic Viognier are aged cow’s or goat’s milk cheeses. Sourced from John Simpson’s low-yielding vineyards in Central California, our Viognier consistently displays substantial flavor and concentration. Whole cluster pressed and stainless steel fermented.
    • *Courtesy of Miner Family Winery

    • Trinchero Family Sauvignon Blanc 2006  ($9.99). Hailed as the perfect seafood wine, the Trinchero Family Sauvignon Blanc combines the earthy, melon-like flavors of warm weather with citrus and tropical fruit. Try this wine with fried oyster Po-boy, grilled shrimp, scallops, smoked trout, or any salad dish.
    • Montevina Terra d’Oro Moscato 2005. ($17.99). Montevina Terra d’Oro Moscato bursts with fruit fragrance and sweet perfume. The notes capture the sweet, creamy essence of Meyer lemon curd, with a honey laden graham cracker crust. Flavors of apple juice lead to a refreshing finish of apricot and jasmine. A better companion for a warm fruit dessert would be hard to find. 
    • Wild Bunch White 2004. ($8.99). Scents of lemon zest, honeysuckle and orange, combined with flavors of apple and pear, roll over the palate with Wild Bunch White. Refreshing anytime, but can tango with Asian and Latin rhythms.
    • Three Thieves 2005 “Bonnie” White Zinfandel Tetra Pack. (One liter $6.99 and four packs $8.99). With sweet aromas of strawberries and watermelon, this wine is fresh and lively and bursting with fruit. Enjoy well chilled or as a partner to all types of food, especially those with slight heat or spiciness.
    • Folie a Deux “Menage a Trois” Rose 2005. ($10.99). The epitome of a good rosé, the 2005 Menage a Trois has no pretension or pretense, just a fruit-laden rollercoaster ride of raspberries, strawberries, lychee nuts and flowers.
    • *Courtesy of Trinchero Family Estates