Sip outside your comfort zone

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This article was published 31/07/2021 (1901 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There was a time where I’d eat the same thing for breakfast almost every day: half a bagel, toasted and with peanut butter, half a small glass of orange juice (always in a plastic IKEA cup, for some reason) and a coffee with a touch of milk.

We’re creatures of habit — we fall into a routine, and the default is to go with things we know and like, be it at breakfast or beyond.

This is certainly the case when it comes to wine. In the summer, many turn to lighter, fresher white wines. Peruse most of the shelves at local Liquor Marts and, to a lesser extent, private wine stores and you’ll find a sea of citrusy Sauvignon Blancs and plenty of palatable Pinot Grigios — the lighter whites of choice for much of the wine-buying public.

These are reliable, safe wines — we know what they’re going to taste like. With thousands of options out there, exploring new varieties can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what a wine is going to deliver until you try it. You’ll never go wrong with what you know — and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But the habit of sticking to a safe wine also means missing out on the hidden gems among those thousands of other offerings coming from every corner of the wine-producing world.

This is particularly the case when it comes to summer whites. There are ample options out there that bring great freshness and flavour, meaning venturing beyond the Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Grigios of the world reaps big rewards. Aromatic white wines from countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Argentina and beyond offer a world of new flavours. And because they’re made from lesser-known grape varieties, they tend to be well-priced and deliver a great quality-to-price ratio.

From Albariño to Zibibbo and beyond, there’s a world of fun, fresh white wines waiting to be discovered that bring plenty of character and pair with a wide range of summer fare. And like my go-to breakfast (which I enjoyed most recently right after filing this week’s Uncorked), your favourite Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio will probably still be there when you want or need them.

uncorked@mts.net

Twitter: @bensigurdson

 

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Wines of the week

Here are a few fun, fresh and off-the-beaten-path whites for a summer/long weekend adventure…

Quinto do Portal 2019 Trevo Vinho Verde Branco (Vinho Verde, Portugal — $13.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

A blend of the Loureiro, Trajadura and Arinto grapes, this pale straw, almost-green tinged white from northern Portugal brings lime rind, lemon oil, green apple skin and chalky aromas. It’s dry, light-bodied and fresh, with zippy acidity and subtle effervescence ramping up the citrus and green apple flavours. Just 10.5 per cent alcohol here. A great value — try it out with your favourite antipasto/charcuterie offerings. 3.5/5

Cuma 2019 Torrontés (Calchaqui Valley, Argentina — $13.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

From organic grapes grown in high-altitude Argentine vineyards comes this aromatic white made from the Torrontés grape. It offers all manner of fresh floral, ripe peach, pear and sweet orange aromas, is light-bodied and dry, and delivers loads of intensity — a fruit salad of flavours that come with a splash of acidity before the long, chalky finish. Lots to love here for the price, especially while it’s on sale for $12.59 until the end of July. 3.5/5

Crudo 2019 Catarratto Zibibbo (Sicily, Italy — $16.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Another organic white, this one blends the lesser-known Catarratto and Zibibbo grapes. Lemon zest, pear, melon, floral and spice aromas show nicely here, with hints of pineapple and tangerine to boot. It’s light-plus-bodied with the slightest hint of sweetness, accentuating the fresh tangerine and pear flavours, and the zippy acidity comes through on the finish with a chalky note. Give this a go with grilled seafood, sushi, a milder curry or salads with a fruit vinaigrette. 4/5

Umani Ronchi 2019 Terre di Chieti Pecorino (Abruzzo, Italy — around $20, private wine stores)

Made from the Pecorino grape, this medium-gold Italian white brings loads of fresh red apple, melon and pear aromas, with subtle honeycomb and herbal notes in there as well. The peppy acidity on the medium-bodied, dry palate offsets the richer apple and pear flavours, while the honeyed component works well with ripe orange and lemon candy flavours. Try this refreshing but complex white with milder creamy cheeses, poached salmon or pesto pasta dishes. 4/5

Gotas de Mar 2019 Albariño (Rias Baixas, Spain — $23.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

From Spain’s mighty Rias Baixas regoin comes this Albariño, loaded up with fresh honey and floral aromas as well as sweet apple, peach and an almost-salty note that deliver big complexity. It’s dry and medium-bodied, with the apple, honey, peach and subtle doughy flavours offsetting that intriguing saline note, while the modest acidity ramps up a Meyer lemon note before the well-balanced finish. There’s a lot going on in this stellar white, but with a freshness that keeps it accessible. On for $21.49 until the end of July 31. 4.5/5