RIESLING
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Riesling is often much maligned due to its tendency for high-acid, high-sugar wines with relatively simple flavours, sommeliers know that Riesling is actually capable of amazing feats. In warmer climates it can produce fruit bombs of incredible complexity with an acid profile that keeps it all very lifted and far from cloying. In cool climates, the ability to produce lots of sugar and lots of acid allows for some of the most tense, textural, exciting wines that often only peak at 12% alcohol when on the dry side.
Sauvignon Blanc can be produced in a number of styles but always has the hallmark green fruit, herbaceousness and crisp acidity that makes it a versatile partner for warm patios, green salads, white fish and other light textured proteins. Look to New Zealand if you prefer a smoother, slightly fruitier version. Look to the Loire Valley, France if you prefer more mineral driven dry styles.
Dr. Loosen Graacher Himmelreich 2017 $51.79 W0141Z
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2018 Riesling $76.70 W0200Z
Cave Spring Estate, Beamsville Bench VQA, Ontario 2020 $21.39 09411Z
Chateau du Seuil Sauvignon Blanc/ Semillon Blend $30.79 W0094Z
Love Block Estate Sauvignon Blanc $26.09 W0230Z
Domaine Fournier ‘Clos du Roc’ Single Vineyard 2021 Sancerre $63.49 W0359Z
VERMENTINO
CHENIN BLANC
On the light-bodied side, vermentino is often a go-to substitute for the Sauvignon Blanc lover. Grown in a number of regions in Italy this wine displays lovely lime flavours mixing with daffodil, crushed stones and a pleasing bitter note on the finish that is reminiscent of grapefruit pith.
Often medium-bodied, Chenin Blanc’s ancestral home is the Loire Valley of France where it makes bone dry, off-dry, sparkling, even some sweet wine. While oak can be present, chenin blanc tends much more to the fresh side with flavours of apple peel, lemons, honeydew melon, passion fruit and limes. The oaked versions tend to present much like a Chardonnay.
Sella & Mosca ‘Monteoro’
Rocca delle Macie ‘Campo Maccione’ Maremma IGT $22.99 04979W
BellOvile Toscana IGT Organic $23.99 04949W
Domaine d’Orfuilles Vouvray Cremant Brut Sparkling Organic $28.79 W0190Z
Charles Joguet ‘La Plante Martin’ Chinon $46.49 W0357Z
Domaine d’Orfuilles Vouvray ‘Silex’ $34.90 W0191Z
Vermentino di Gallura DOCG $31.60 W0233Z
Darren LeBlanc is the Specialty Product Advisor at Notables by PEI Liquor in the Founders’ Food Hall & Market. He is a certified sommelier with 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry and continues to contribute as a restaurant consultant and wine writer. (Photo: Evan Ceretti)
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