White

Vinho Verde

As a young wine geekling, I was instructed that the wines of northern Portugal’s Vinho Verde region were of the light, slightly spritzy, crisp, refreshing, moderately low alcohol variety. Some certainly fit this mold, including the ultra-quaffable, non-vintage Casal Garcia Vinho Verde and the slightly sweeter (but by no means sweet and also super-refreshing) Aveleda Vinho Verde 2018. These are the vinous equivalent of having cool water spritzed over your body on a hot summer day.

There is also Vinho Verde of a richer, more complex style. I direct you to the Covela “Edição Nacional” 2016 and the Aromas4U “Edição Limitada 2017. The former, made from the Avesso grape, features intense peach, melon, mineral and flower blossom aromas, with a crisp, mid-weight palate offering up notes of ripe melon, herbs and subtle minerality. The latter, from the Alvarinho grape, sports waxy, lanolin, peach pit and cherry on the nose, following up with a round, medium-full flavours dominated by ripe melon and mineral, with a long, persistent finish. Both are great for sipping on their own, but would also pair well with something from the sea, off the grill.

Tom Gore Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Chardonnay 2016

Second generation Alexander Valley grower Tom Gore – who started participating in grape harvests at the tender age of seven – was in Toronto in June to show off his wares. Included in the line up was the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, which he purposely crafts to be less aggressive and riper than more typical SBs. Lots of tropical fruit, ripe melon and pink grapefruit aromas that carry onto the palate.

The 2016 Chardonnay, which Gore explained is “designed to stand up to food,” would match well with fattier, meatier grilled fish. Toasty, nutty, baked apple on the nose; ripe, round, sweet melon, tropical fruit and caramel in the mouth with a persistent, mildly spicy finish.

Pascal Toso Chardonnay 2018

Sticking with Chardonnay, the Pascal Toso Chardonnay 2018 from Argentina is also worth checking out if you are looking for an extremely well-priced, elegantly-styled white. There’s some ripe pineapple notes to be sure, but the aromas lean more towards apple, white flower and a hint of vanilla. A dollop of tropical fruit in the flavour, but generally more focused on well-integrated citrus and mineral overtones.

Domaine de I’Idylle “Cruet” Vielle Vigne Savoie 2017

Tired of the same old same old? Try this! We don’t see a lot of wines from France’s Savoie region, which is too bad. This number is as crisp as Alpine snow. Relatively low in alcohol (11.5 percent), this is a racy, electric wine loaded with white peach, flower blossom and almond nuances that pave the way to zesty, crisp, stone fruit and anise flavours. Try with light seafood, vegetarian dishes or anything with goat cheese.

Banfi Principessa Gavia Gavi 2018

Though best know for its stellar Montalcino reds, Castello Banfi also owns 45 hectares of vineyard in Piedmont from which it fashions this classic Gavi. Made from 100 percent Cortese grapes fermented at cool temperatures, it sports an intensely fruity nose hinting at white flower blossom and apricot, with undertones of fennel and wet slate. Polished and balanced, with core of fresh, mineral-laced fruit. Serve with hors d’oeuvres. In the garden. By the pool.