Gerard Bertrand Viognier 2007

the next post is #400 for me! #399 is another white wine. viognier is an interesting wine. some folks aren't too crazy about the floral qualities, but i find them alluring and the wines to be quite tasty. this one is no exception. the nose has lots of floral orange blossom and hyacinth, along with some nice tropical fruit. the palate is not as floral, with pears and almonds dominating the flavors. i did get a little honeysuckle but it isn't overwhelming. the wine has a little oily mouth feel, which gives it a little more depth and helps it linger on the tongue a while longer. sells for about $14. try this with some steamed seafood or pasta with a white sauce.

L'Alycastre La Courtade Rosé 2009

i finally found a rosé that really impressed me. i had to go to new york to do it. thanks to the folks at zachys wine store for the suggestion on this one. slightly orange in color, this rosé is a blend of grenache, tibouren, and mouvedre in equal parts. the nose is very floral, with lavender and a little raspberry. i also got a little orange peel in the nose. the palate is more of the floral notes, with some almond and a little berry flavor. crisp and refreshing on the palate, this worked very well with boiled shrimp and greens and i would like to try it again with a grilled shrimp dish with a bit more spicing which it would work well with. sells for the nice price of about $13.

Tedeschi Monte Tenda Soave Classico 2007

wine tastings are fun because you get to try wines that you have not had before. such was the case with this white from italy. the grape was garganega, which i had not heard of. the nose was not overpowering, with subtle aromas of almond and apple, which carried over into the palate. refreshing tastes of green apples, mineral notes and almonds, with a very clean finish. a good patio pounder that will go well with seafood or lighter dishes or spicy asian dishes. priced at about $16.