Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/64274
baked green apple, floral, and spicy notes to be highlighted; a delicious Spanish white that is best served very cold. ($19) (92) Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (New Zealand). A brilliant straw/pale gold in the glass, the nose is filled with grapefruit peel, and spice; a great example of a more restrained style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; bright acidity, without being over- whelming; clean and lin- gering finish, with great balance. ($20) FOUR STARS (91) Bodegas Callia Valle de Tulum Torrontés 2010 (Argentina). This wine is a brilliant pale yellow in the glass, with the slightest hint of green; the nose is dominated by citrus fruit, with hints of exotic floral notes; in the mouth, the fruit is ripe, but balanced with a bright acid accent; a balanced, lengthy and clean finish; wonderful value. ($9) (91) Castello Montauto San Gimignano Vernaccia 2010 (Italy). Brilliant straw with green hints in the glass, the wine has a nose dominated by fresh and clean tree fruit, which follows through on the palate, with weight, spice, and acidity all in balance; lengthy and balanced finish; versatile and delicious. ($15) (91) Dinastia Vivanco Rioja Blanco Blend 2010 (Spain). A fasci- nating blend of viura, malvasia and the rare tempranillo Blanco; brilliant pale gold in the glass; a complex nose, with scents of tree, citrus and tropical fruits, all followed through on the palate, where the fruit is accented by the acidity; well balanced with a quite lengthy finish. ($15) (91) Jos. Drouhin Chablis- Vaudon 2009 (France). This is the chardonnay for those of us in the any- thing-but-Chardonnay club; lean, mean and mineral with enough pear and apple undertones to know what else can be done with this grape; fine company for grilled chicken or salmon. ($20) (91) Italo Cescon Veneto Pinot Grigio 2010 (Italy). Italo Cescon is a highly regarded estate in Friuli; the grapes for this wine come from Veneto and it is a full-flavorrf pinot grigio, absolutely not watered down, with lots of terroir; exciting packaging helps it jump off the shelf. ($20) (91) Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay 2010 (California). Crisp, clean and minerality blend with tropical notes; the wine finishes dry with excellent acidity to create a well-rounded and balanced wine. ($25) (91) Pine Ridge Forefront Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (California). Refreshing, crisp and full of flavor; offers passion fruit, lemon lime, melon and grapefruit flavors that blend together nicely into a vibrant, lingering finish. ($13) (91) Santiago Ruiz Rias Baixas White Blend 2010 (Spain). Rias Baixas is best known for the 42 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • May/June 2012 wines produced from the Albariño variety, and this wine is mostly Albariño, but it also has Loureiro, Treixadura and Caiño Blanco in the blend, which add complexity and weight; the nose and palate are dominated by citrus and tree fruits, with notes of herbs; the refreshing tastes are highlighted by a long, lingering finish. ($20) (90) Joel Gott Unoaked Monterey Chardonnay 2010 (California). Fresh and crisp fruit with a hint of vanilla and butter, making this Chardonnay a great pairing for fish or chicken on the grill. ($17) notes across the palate, pinpoint acidity and lovely mouth-feel. ($18) (91) Viña Amalia Carlos Basso Mendoza Blanc de Noirs 2009 (Argentina). This sparkling wine possesses lovely notes of yeasty bread dough and brioche followed by aromas of mango and banana peel; medium-bodied and nicely round, it maintains a love- ly blend of tropical fruit (90) Bonny Doon Ca' Del Solo Dry Muscat 2009 (California). All the wonderful aromas and flavors of muscats and moscatos, but bone dry with delicious acidity and a hint of minerals. ($17) (90) Château Bonnet Blanc Entre Deux Mers 2010 (France). An example of how good white wines from Bordeaux can be, this wine is highlighted by notes of citrus and lemon with a mineral backbone; well balanced and a wonderful summer wine. ($9.50) (90) Conundrum White Wine 2010 (California). An extremely aromatic wine with aromas of ripe peaches, wild flowers and spice; nicely textured on the palate, delivering fresh melon and tropical flavors. ($16) (90) The Cottage Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (New Zealand). Abundant aromas of gooseberry, grapefruit and pineapple; flavors of grapefruit and apples add to a tropical fruit palate; very smooth finish; wonderful summer white at a good value. ($12)