Wine List: Sancerre To Super Tuscan
Sancerre, a very popular lunchtime wine.
Sancerre is a fruity, acidic white wine made in the Loire Valley of northern France from the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. (For the record red and rosé Sancerres do exist, but when people say Sancerre, they usually think white.) White Sancerre can be a flavorfest, tasting of citrus fruits, gooseberries, gunflint, herbs, and smoke. It is known as a food friendly wine. Suggested food pairings include Sardines, Sea Bass, Sushi and Sushami (light fish), and Fettucine Alfredo.
Soave
Soave is a light white wine from the Tre Venezie region of northern Italy. Soave is heavily exported. Be careful, the quality varies measurably, many Soaves are bland, some are fruity. To step up in quality, try a Soave Classico. Suggested food pairings include Bass, Fried Fish, and Boiled Shrimp.
Sparkling (Brut)
Sparkling (Brut) is a dry sparkling wine. Many different processes are used to generate the bubbles. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the bubbles, the better the wine. Suggested food pairings include Swordfish.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling Wine is bubbly, and probably doesn't come from the Champagne region of northern France, and yet it may be quite good. One that we like is Spanish Cava. Suggested food pairings include Fried Fish. (Don't waste a top of the line sparkling wine on ordinary Fried Fish.)
Super Tuscans
Super Tuscans are powerful red wines from Tuscany in northern Italy, made in part from the Sangiovese grape and to a lesser extent from the Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux grape varieties. Their history is unique. Starting decades ago, innovative winemakers rejected old-fashioned Italian wine laws that then stipulated, for example, that Chiantis must contain both red and white grapes. These winemakers made their own wine in their own way. While few Super Tuscans were formally designated as top wines by the Italian wine authorities, many received an enthusiastic reception on the Italian and world markets. Super Tuscans often cost much more than wines carrying a fancier official designation, and believe me, they can be worth it. Suggested food pairings include Roast Beef.