Wine Tips of the Week # 6 Tariquet Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon and Galen Glen Riesling

 

Tariquet 2008 - Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon Blend

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.  French White Bordeaux is a well-known blend that includes Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.  However, these two grapes are blended throughout the world in many different proportions, and is marketed under many different labels.

Tariquet 2008 is a good, affordable example of the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend. 

Domaine du Tariquet is located in the Gascony area of France.  The vineyards and winery have been owned and operated by the Grassa family since 1912.  Known mostly for their Armagnac, a distinctive brandy made only in the Armagnac region of Gascony, they have recently begun growing white grapes such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. 

The 2008 vintage of Sauvignon & 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 grassiness and grapefruit typical of sauvignon blancs, made more complex and fuller bodied by the additional 15% Semillon.  This is a good wine to have with fish, poultry, and a variety of cheeses. 

This wine is a current a Chairman's Selection and is widely available at Pennsylvania Specialty Wine and Spirits stores.  Check the PLCB website at   http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/   After linking to this page, click on the Product Search icon in the upper right-hand corner and then enter the product code 18312 and check for your local store for availability.  We suggest you then call your local store to be 100% sure of its availability.  

This is one of the five wines we'll feature at the "Wine after Five with Art on the Side" Wine Tasting Seminar this Friday, December 18 at Gallery on High in Pottstown.

Galen Glen Stone Cellar Riesling 2008

Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery is family owned and operated and is located outside of Andreas, PA.  The vineyard started out as the family farm and had been active for two centuries.  Galen and Sarah purchased the family farm and began growing grapes in 1995.

Their 2008 Stone Cellar Riesling is made 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.

We were curious about the “crooked stick” seen on their labels and on their patio.  It came from the use of a cherry sapling branch they used to measure the spacing of the vines when they didn’t have enough measuring tapes during planting.  Their "Stone Cellar" label depicts the original stone cellar on the property near the winery, where many of their wines are stored and aged.

You will often find owners Sarah and Galen Troxell, along with their very helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable tasting room helpers, in their beautiful tasting room.  You'll get an amazing view of the glen, which inspired the winery's name.  The wine, the view, the friendly staff and wine-tasting atmosphere is well worth the drive to Galen Glen.  Add a couple of other Pennsylvania wineries to your itinerary and spend an afternoon wine tasting and enjoying the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside along the way.  Galen Glen and most PA wineries are open 7 days a week around the Holidays, but check their websites or call to check on seasonal hours.

Galen Glen's website is http://www.galenglen.com/index.html

Links to all PA winery websites are available at http://www.pennsylvaniawine.com/

Galen Glen's Stone Cellar Riesling 2008 is one of the five wines we'll feature at the "Wine after Five with Art on the Side" Wine Tasting Seminar this Friday, December 18 at Gallery on High in Pottstown.