Ericka @Chef PickyKid and MeWelcome to Wine on Wednesday!
This week’s feature is a review of Vistamar Sepia Sauvignon Blanc
I’m not a huge fan of Sauvignon Blanc, it’s a little to “earthy” for me. Sauvignon Blanc tends to have what’s described as “mineral” or “grassy” notes. Those flavors don’t really appeal to me, but I’m always willing to try something new, since every winemaker presents a different style and flavor to their wines.
At a recent visit with my parents, my mother asked me to try a new Sauvignon Blanc she found at Total Wine. The wine she had purchased for us to try was the 2012 Vistamar Sepia Reserva Sauvignon Blanc. While I wasn’t initially excited about this Sauvignon Blanc, I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it.
Vistamar is a winery based in Rapel Valley, Chile and features a broad range of varietals from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Vistamar’s philosophy is to offer “wines which offer the unique experience of daring to enjoy the simplicity of any occasion or company”.
The Sepia Reserva Sauvignon Blanc features the characteristic color of a Sauvignon Blanc; light yellow and almost straw colored. The nose of the wine (fancy term for scent), includes grass as a Sauvignon Blanc will typically carry, but also notes of pineapple, passionfruit and lemon.
Flavor notes in the Sepia Reserva include pineapple, grass and lemon. And while I’m usually not a fan of the grass flavors in Sauvignon Blanc, this was just enough to enjoy the flavor, yet still subtle. The wine was slightly acitic in the initial taste and the finish, but it had a mild sweetness to it that balanced the acidity well.
For food pairing, this wine would pair wonderfully with a lemon chicken or lemon cream pasta dish, or dishes with fresh herbs that would balance the grass notes of the wine.
The Sepia Reserva had a great balance of flavors, sweetness and acidity, and I really enjoyed it. This would be a good wine choice for someone who enjoys fruity notes in wine but doesn’t want an overly sweet wine, or likes a little more acidity in their wine.
Be sure to stop by for next week’s Wine on Wednesday; we’ll be looking for the best wines to serve on Thanksgiving!
