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Leo: The Featured Wines
Serge Dagueneau 2005 Pouilly Fume Les Pentes 19.99
The queen of the jungle is always on the hunt for wines of elegance and beauty, but the lioness’s sense of fiscal restraint has her on the prowl for affordable pleasures. This wine fits the bill. Lovely melon and white peach flavors are layer with a creamy texture. Serge Dageneau is not to be confused with his nephew Didier Dageneau, the hairy wild man. This wine is produce by Serge and his daughters Florence and Valerie. Les Pentes is planted in calcaire soil as opposed to Didier’s silex flint offerings. The grapes are always harvested late giving the wine lovely melon and white peach flavors. The unexpected creamy texture is surprising but oh so delicious. MEOW.
Jean Marc Brocard 2005 Sauvignon de St. Bris 18.99
Leos have an intense sense of taste and smell. When hunting in the jungle or a wine shop, the big cat gravitates toward the overlooked secrets of the world. This Sauvignon Blanc, as the only non Chardonnay white wine region in Burgundy fits the description. Elevated to AOC status in 2001, St. Bris offers a briskness of fruit and more body than you might expect. It’s a flawless pairing with oysters or any grilled shellfish you might encounter this summer. If your budget can handle the extra expense, Brocard’s Chablis’ are delicious as well.
Domaine Trotereau 2005 Quincy 15.99
Alfred Hitchcock and Madonna. What do you think about that? Fidel Castro and Mick Jagger. Our kitchen manager Joey’s mother and me. All Leos. Don’t even ask me how this plays into our dynamic. Freud (a Taurus, surprisingly) comes to my aid: Leo has more dichotomy than any other astrological sign. Look for a significant change of attitude that coincides with the new moon on the 12th. Keep plenty of Quincy (say kan see) on hand for impromptu get togethers and summer vegetable feasts. Although considered one of the lesser regions of the Loire, Quincy’s appeal is in lovely citrus tinged wine with a bit of floral spiciness.
Mud House 2006 Sauvignon Blanc 14.99
The past few years I’ve steered clear of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. For my tastes, that distinctive cat urine smell just turned me off. I know some people like it, but for me it’s unappealing. Mud House offers a more forgiving style with a crystalline clarity of fruit and zingy minerality. It’s just what this feline had in mind. An excellent choice for summer lapping, I mean drinking.
Elizabeth Spencer 2006 Sauvignon Blanc 15.99
Although a dyed in the wool Euro wine lover, this Leo is always in a quandary in her desire to buy American. This recently discovered Sauvignon Blanc offers all that is wonderful and lovely about Sauvignon Blanc and California wine. Only 40 barrels of this delicious 100% Sauvignon Blanc is made by domestic and business partners Elizabeth Pressler and Spencer Graham. Delicious lemon zest and ripe pear flavors with a hint of fennel in the finish. I had this wine the other night with some delicious goat cheese and dry salami. It was to die for.
Joel Gott 2006 Sauvignon Blanc 11.99
Joel Gott is a Napa legend. His family has lived in Napa for four generations, most of them in the wine business. The guy has some great connections and makes wines of incredible value. The Sauvignon Blanc is a classic with juicy citrus flavors and some tropical fruit elements in the finish. Perfect for summer foods or as a before dinner aperitif. Make sure you check out his Cabernet Sauvignon. For 16.99 you’ll not find a better one.
Boulay 2006 Sancerre 23.99 375ml 14.99
Love is always on the mind of the Leo woman. Although you and Taurus often butt heads, Leo’s passion and energy coupled with the creative and stable Taurus nature makes for a dynamic relationship. Celebrating is always in order, but look for this lovely, flinty Sancerre to make an appearance around the 13th. Maybe one of the half bottles for a romantic picnic perhaps?
Tour Saint- Martin 2005 Menetou Salon 17.99
When people ask “what’s your favorite wine,” I always say it’s like picking my favorite child. It really depends on the moment. Sometimes I don’t want a wine that requires too much thinking, but offers a wealth of flavor and zingy terroir. Other times I like something big and flashy, like an esoteric, grower Champagne…maybe for my birthday (hint). . Say what…Menetou Salon? Standing in the shadow of Sancerre, the wines from this region are often overshadowed. This wine from Morogues is on par with many Sancerres and at a much lower price. It is absolutely my favorite wine with summer salads and pan-seared white fish. As for my kids, all three of them are adorable right now. Just don’t make me pick my favorite while little Henry is strumming Emma’s guitar as I try to finish this newsletter…
Mikäel Bouges 2005 Touraine Sauvignon Pente de Chavigny 12.99
The most loyal of the astrological signs is the queen of the jungle. Loyalty is hard won, but once acquired you’ll have an unwavering advocate. Some may choose to align themselves with flashy, crowd pleasers, but this cat prefers natural elegance over all that new oak and high alcohol “make up”. Bouges organically cultivates his land, uses wild yeasts and produces a Sauvignon Blanc that defies its price. Give me an handcrafted little Touraine quaffer anyday. It’s quintessential authenticity.