How Refreshing

By The Cellarer

I do not know if it is global warming, some odd 30 year cycle or a pure freak occurrence, but it’s hot this year. And in such prolonged heat the one thing people are definitely looking for in a glass is refreshment: The internal, unspoken ‘ah’ after your first sip; the gentle sense of well being and maybe even the thought that this hot weather isn’t that bad after all.

With all this in mind I took my chance and slipped out and wandered off to my local Oddbins. Whilst scouring the shelves for inspiration I came across the following three bottles which should give hope to even the most jaded palate.

The first is the safest of safe bets. On a hot summer’s day as a late afternoon treat or as an aperitif before dinner it is hard to beat a bottle of Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc (2005) from New Zealand. A quintessential example of what Sauvignon Blanc can taste like when the grape is let off the leash. Bright sharp flavours assault you from the glass, there is no doubting what to expect: sharp citrus and green grassy and gooseberry notes hit you and the cleansing acidity that you expect does not disappoint. Now granted these days it is nothing new, New Zealand produces world class white (and increasingly red) wine, but it is the consistency coupled with the quality that keeps people coming back for more.

For those of you who want something fun and exciting how about something from Austria? Memories of anti-freeze scandals have been well and truly consigned to the past and once again quality wines are appearing everywhere and nearly every restaurant I go to now seems to have at least one if not several offerings from Austria on its list. The Salomon Groovey Grüner Veltliner (2005) is a wonderful example of what is being produced and of Austria’s own indigenous grape variety (Grüner Veltliner), which although not well known (or planted) outside Austria is getting a larger following by the day, and rightly so. It’s a nice contrast to the Dashwood as although it is still a fresh light white (no oak) it is a more rounded, more full wine with more pear, peach and crisp green apple flavours on the palate.

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