Tariquet 2008 - Sauvignon & Semillon Blend

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are often blended together in many parts of the world and are labeled many different ways. The best-known blend of these two grapes may be French White Bordeaux.

Sauvignon Blanc often stands on its own and when it does, has distinctive aromas of freshly cut grass and minerals. When blended with Semillon, the sharpness of Sauvignon Blanc is softened, the aroma of the wine is a bit more floral, and the wine may have a touch of sweetness that, for many people, makes it easy to drink and more appealing than 100% Sauvignon Blanc.

Tariquet 2008 is a good, affordable example of the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend, and goes well with fish, poultry and a variety of cheeses. The 2008 vintage of Sauvignon and Semillon is made from 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon. This blend is a good example of how Semillon can create a more complex wine than Sauvignon Blanc alone. It is an easy drinking wine with very floral aromas and a slight mineral scent. It has a light taste of grass and grapefruit typical of sauvignon blancs, made more complex and fuller bodied by the additional 15% Semillon.

This wine is available for $9.99 at many Pennsylvania Specialty Wine and Spirits stores. The PLCB product code is 18312.


Galen Glen Stone Cellar Riesling 2008

Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery is family owned and operated and is located outside of Andreas, Pa. Sarah, the winemaker, has been perfecting several white wines in the German style.

Called "halbtrocken," which is German for half-dry, this lightly sweet Riesling is bursting with floral aromas. It has a pleasant minerality with grapefruit notes and hints of peaches and apricots. This Riesling is easy to drink on its own and is even better when paired with cheesecake or with a glazed pork entrée. This wine is available for $12 at the winery.

For more information on these two wines, go to the Vintage Connections blog site at
http://vintageconnectionswineinfo.blogspot.com/2009/12/wine-tips-of-week-6-tariquet-sauvignon.html