Welcoming Spring without the Cha-ching-3 Monday wines

Last Thursday, my better half was hosting a networking event at his office and I was in charge of selecting wines.  We were serving sushi from “How Do You Roll” (YUM!) and we hit 90 degrees that day, so I opted for two whites and a red.

Back in November, I did a piece called Change of Seasons about the wines I choose as we transition out of the summer months and into the fall:

The change of seasons can be a hard time for fashion if you don’t want sweat in your corduroys and you’re over your sundresses.  It can also be hard on wine choices when you are really wanting to open a Zinfandel and you are done with Sauvignon Blanc.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I love my sundresses as much as I love my Sav. Blancs, but I am ready to usher in big reds and cozy sweaters.

With the temperatures we have had lately, “Spring” seems like a bit of a misnomer.  This is like the height of summer for some of you.  Regardless, when it comes to sipping wines, I am moving away from bold reds and into lighter varietals.  Busting out the sundresses.  With that in mind, I wanted a medium bodied white, a crisp white, and a light red. They wanted to stay around ten dollars a bottle so I chose these Monday Wines:

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier

One of my favorite go-to whites.  Crisp and light.  The Viognier adds a little body to the Chenin Blanc and brings out the best in both. Citrus, blossoms, peach, a bit of green. Love it.  $9.99

’10 Salneval Albarino

I will be buying a lot more of this Spanish gem. Floral nose, stone and tropical fruits, bit of minerality, honey-smooth body.  Big enough to charm red wine drinkers.  A very versatile and tasty wine! $9.99

’07 Mazets de Saint Victor Cotes du Rhone

Red fruit, a bit of spice.  Not overly complex, but very nice for sipping on a warm day, or a cold one.  A Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend typical of the region,  this is a very nice Spring red and a great value. $9.99

For those of you whom are primarily red drinkers, no matter the temp, Snooth did a piece on Spring Reds that is worth looking at for the photos alone. Also, check out Denise Garner’s informative piece on Light to Medium bodied reds.  Some great advice on varietals and pairings.  But if you are feeling wild and trying a white, perhaps an Albarino or Viognier might be just what you are looking for.  Happy Spring and Happy Tasting!

Salt Lick Cellars-No Need to BYOB

There was a time, in the not so distant past, when you had to bring a stocked cooler to indulge in an adult beverage while indulging on BBQ at The Salt Lick.  Not anymore.  If you haven’t been to Driftwood recently, you may not be aware that they have entered the wine world.

In 2006, Scott Roberts planted the first vines and bottled the first wines in 2008.  After an in-depth study of climatic challenges, Winemaker Jay Knepp and Roberts chose the thick-skinned grapes that can handle the Texas heat and calciferous soil.  They planted Mediterranean varietals: Tempranillo, Syrah, Granache, and Mourvedre.   The grapes are hand-picked and they use Old World wine-making techniques.  Today, Salt Lick Cellars works with other growers and bottlers in Texas to provide a larger variety of wines for their guests.

They offer five blends, four single varietals, and a Sparkling.  The BBQ White is a Vermentino.  Light, crisp and easy sipping.  The Ranch Road White is a blend of Muscat Canelli, Chenin Blanc, Semillion, and Viognier.  Crisp citrus, soft peach or melon, and some sweet floral notes.  I enjoyed the blend very much. Either would be a perfect foil to the Texas heat.  The BBQ Red is Primitivo, the Italian equivalent of Zinfandel.  Tart red fruit with medium body, it is a great match for the peppery spice in the BBQ.

The Mourvedre is 100% Estate grown.  A beautiful claret red.  I got a lot of Bing cherry, some earth, but still a lighter wine.  My favorite was the Tempranillo.  It had a fresh herbal nose.  Big smooth fruit and a long finish.  I picked up some nutmeg or some other spiciness.  Unfiltered and aged in both American and French oak, this one was super tasty. I took one home with me.  I found both of these varietals to be lighter than some I have had, but no less delicious.  The brightness of the fruit was not overpowered by the tannins.  I am curious to see how both of these wines develop as the vines age.

Since my family was waiting for me, I had to keep it brief.  There were several wines that I did not have time to taste, and couldn’t really give the samples the time they deserved.  I plan to remedy that in the near future.  In addition to their own wines, the tasting room carries other Texas wines, beers, chocolates, nuts, cheeses, and gifts.  I made the mistake of eating first, so my palate had already been through the ringer before I tasted the wines.  Not recommended.   Taste first and pick up a bottle to go with your BBQ.  Or a few bottles to take home.  As if the brisket alone wasn’t enough reason to head to Driftwood, the Roberts Family has just given you several more reasons.  Cheers, y’all.