SAUCE MAGAZINE
Posted On: 05/01/2010
Pillar Box White 2008, Padthaway, Australia This just might be the Lady Gaga of white wines. The Longbottom family uses its own estate fruit to bundle up the racy flavors of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay with a delicious Verdelho. You should be able to find it for about $15.
Burgans Albariño 2008, Rias Baixas, Spain One of the hottest Spanish wines has to be Albariño, and while nearly all of them are nice, they tend to be on the pricey side. This $15 citrus bomb is the one to make converts out of the most hard-core Chardonnay-ites.
Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée 2005, Sonoma Valley, Calif. The oldest winemaking family in California offers this Bordeaux wannabe, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. At about $18, it’s one not to miss.
70 Schilling, Buffalo Brewing Co., St. Louis, Mo. This Scottish-style ale is a perfectly balanced and easy-drinking beer: malty without ever being too sweet, a nice caramel body without being cloying. Just make sure to ask for an unfrosted glass.
Oberon Ale, Bell’s Brewery, Kalamazoo, Mich. To me, few things are a better reminder of spring than the arrival of Bell’s Oberon Ale. Providing a fuller, more viscous wheaty mouth feel than most other American wheat beers, Oberon both quenches and refreshes.
Eric’s Ale, New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, Colo. The funny thing about Eric’s Ale is that it’s not quite an ale and it’s not quite a lager; it’s actually a blend of both. Oak-aged and blended with peach juice, this tart beer hybrid will keep you coming back for more.
