4 Zippy White Wines to Brighten Up Your Quarantine
by Allisun Groat, Tastemaker in Residence
As some of us are starting to see some loosening of restrictions, while others are still waiting weeks for the end of their stay-at-home, we all need a little boost to bring us fully into Spring…or is it summer, yet? I myself love high acid, bright white wines from all over Europe — here are four that have history, pedigree and are straight-up delicious.
Royal Tokaji “The Oddity” Dry Furmint, Hungary
Bone dry and the perfect partner for oysters and seafood, Royal Tokaji’s “The Oddity” is the one dry wine that this winery produces. Most highly regarded for its Aszu wines - recognized for the “Red Label” 5 puttonyos - that all have a fresh honey sweetness balanced with firm acid - this zippy dry white from Hungary is produced from the grape that is most prevalent in the vineyards of Royal Tokaji - Furmint. Furmint is a thin-skinned grape, perfect for making sweet wines, but also lends itself to a briny, sunny little sipper that is the perfect cocktail wine or pairs perfectly with anything that comes out of the water.
SRP $15*
Buglioni “Il Disperato” Bianco, Veneto, Italy
Buglioni is a family-owned operation in the Veneto region of Italy, who owns their own land, which is not the norm here. The “Il Disperato” Bianco is made from a grape named “Garganega” that you would typically find in Soave (a region inside the Veneto) and in a deeper, oilier style — but the “Il Disperato” is not weighty - it’s light, bright and full of tropical fruit. It drinks like a Sauvignon Blanc… but without the intense grapefruit and grass and more of the floral notes balanced with mango and pineapple. Pairs with chicken, fish, lighter dishes or perfect just by itself. “Il Disperato” refers to the “little desperate one” as it is the only white wine produced at this winery known for rich reds - Amarone and Valpolicella. SRP $19*
Arnaldo Caprai Grecante, Montefalco, Umbria, Italy
Also made by a producer known for making rich red wines - Sagrantino hails from Montefalco, one of the most tannic and bold reds in the world - their little Grechetto - that they call my the local name “Grecante” has a little more weight and structure making it a great pairing for richer pasta and pork. Umbria is the one wine-growing area in Italy that doesn’t have water on any of its borders and is known as the “green heart of Italy” - where you find porchetta and the famous white beef cows called Chianina that are in the same league as Kobe. The Caprai Grecante is neutral and easy to drink (like a Pinot Grigio) but has structure and weight that makes it elegant (like Chardonnay) - yellow peach, floral notes, and pleasing chalkiness on the finish. Full-bodied and fresh. SRP $19*
The “Timpa” Grillo from Feudo Montoni comes from the Timpa Vineyard that means “steep slope” - the vineyard is on a 70-degree slope in the high elevation vineyards that the family owns. Feudo Montoni is a family-owned grower and producer of wines in Sicily - making wines with minerality and elegance compared with many of their neighbors. All of their vineyards are organic and have been around since the late 1800s. The Grillo is aromatic and fruity with notes of yellow peach and apricot, floral aromas, and almond flowers on the finish. It has a long persistent finish and pairs with cheeses, light dishes, and fish - or like all of these selections is perfect all by itself. SRP $18
* all wines imported by Wilson Daniels and available in most of the lower 48 US.