In Search of Summer Whites

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We’ve started a quest for a white wine for summer. We’d like to purchase a case of this mysterious white wine, so that it’s always available and can be given as a gift or taken to a summer bbq or party. We want this to also be a low-cost white. Our first two test cases were worlds apart: Tin Roof Sauvignon Blanc and Sogrape Gazela Vinho Verde.

Tin Roof 2004 Sauvignon Blanc ($5.99/Liquor Direct Ft. Thomas): It probably should have served as a warning when we noticed the back label said more about the screwtop cap (the, uh, tin roof) than the actual wine. This Sauvignon Blanc had a chemical nose about it, and I almost wanted to dump it out right then. It was sour, in a not-so-pleasant way, and had a lot of grapefruit on the finish. We each finished a glass and decided that the rest of the bottle would be donated to the sink. Tin Roof – Rusted!
Our rating:

Sogrape Gazela Vinho Verde NV ($5.99/Liquor Direct Ft. Thomas): This was our first Vinho Verde, and I am now just itching to try a red Vinho Verde. Vinho Verde is a blended wine from Portugal that has a light fizziness to it and should be enjoyed young. Our Gazela is a blend of Loureiro, Trajadura, Arinto grapes and has only 9% alcohol content. The Gazela had a fruity and floral nose. It tasted a bit like watermelon and tart apples. The small bubbles added a refreshing quality to it. It was a palate cleanser, and very crisp. We’re eager to see how it holds up overnight. The taste for value factor here is huge!
Our rating: