For our special
American holiday, here are four made in the USA wines that should be included
in your independence day menu. These wines have been chosen for their ability to pair with summer foods, as well as their
terrific price-quality-ratio. One is a
blend, the three others are 100% varietal.
They are equally divided between white and red. All are available online (K&L has all four).
White Rhone Blend
Tablas Creek’s “Patelin
de Tablas” (Paso Robles) is consistently one of my favorite California white
blends of luscious Rhone varietals such as Grenache Blanc, Roussane, Marsanne
and Viognier. It’s a real bargain for
$20.
Viognier
Alban’s Viognier (Central Coast) knocks it out of the
summer ballpark. Alban was one of the
first pioneers to use this white Rhone varietal on the coastal Cali. Like all Viognier, this one serves up stone
fruit, citrus layers and floral notes. ($28)
Cabernet Franc:
This grape is the
mother grape to both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Offering less tannin than its offspring, it’s the perfect summer red aperitif wine. Lieu Dit (Santa Ynez Valley) offers a superb
rendition ($30).
Grenache:
If you love Pinot Noir
for its silky elegance and Syrah for its spice, then you should check out
Grenache. It’s the backbone of those
beloved reds from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. California’s
Central Coast Nelle vineyards produces one of the best renditions. ($38 online)
Cheers to the red & white, as well as the blue !
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