Summer Sippers: Aromatic Whites

In part two of our Summer Sippers post we focus on Aromatic White wines, both single varietals and blends, making for excellent sunny-deck-socializing and picnic pairing. Ideally, to beat the heat and compliment the long summer days we get up north, you want a wine that has the ratio of sugar-to-acid balanced perfectly. A touch of sugar will keep you energized and the right amount of acidic "yin" to match the sugary "yang", will keep your mouth refreshed and ready for more.

The following wines, arranged by price-point, manage the balance of sugar-to-acid, as Goldilocks would say, "just right".

Big House Wines 2009 White - $13
At $13 this wine can be forgiven for not being overly complex, yet the crisp, fun and easy-drinking character of the wine make it an easy addition to your summer sipping rotation.
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Château des Charmes 2008 Aligoté - $14
Aromatic notes of flowery perfume are supported by strong mineral and stonefruit aromas on the nose. Crisp, tart lemon zest and grapefruit flavours on the dry palate. A touch of spice lingers on the moderate finish.
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St. Hubertus Estate Winery 2009 Dry Riesling - $16
The rich, tropical and tangerine nose of this well-priced Riesling from Kelowna also offers delicate perfume and lime zest notes which seem to hover in the glass.
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Stag's Hollow Winery 2009 Con-Fusion - $18
An easy-going, crowd-pleasing, Thai food loving, Gewürztraminer-dominant white blend with good acidic notes balancing the concentrated fruit nicely, leaving you refreshed and wanting more.
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Hugel et Fils 2008 Classic Pinot Blanc - $20
A rich and creamy Pinot Blanc from top Alsatian producer Hugel et Fils with strong tropical and orchard fruit flavours and subtle slate minerality. Slightly off-dry with a full mouth feel and lingering lemon zest.
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Wild Goose Vineyards 2010 God's Mountain Vineyard - $20
A delicate nose of apricot, lemon drop and peach fuzz candy aromas is accompanied by light petrol and mineral notes. Crisp acidity follows on the dry palate balanced by a hint of residual sugar and potent citrus and green apple fruit flavours.
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JoieFarm 2010 A Noble Blend - $24
Sweet lychee, spicy grapefruit, aromatic orange blossoms, candied fruits and strong stonefruit. A nice vein of citrus fruit runs through the medium-bodied palate which finishes long with a bit of lingering spice.
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LaStella Winery 2010 Vivace - $25
The balance is spot on with good acidity and enough residual sugar to mask the alcohol and create a joyful and full-ish texture on your palate. With citrus characters aplenty, this wine should be enjoyed in its youth and paired with a fruity, summer salad or with your favourite sun-filled deck.
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Back to Part 1: Rosé