So I hosted a tasting of 23 white wines last Friday night. It was an ABC tasting hoping to get people out of their comfort zone and exploring wines from unusual grapes and other places. Didn't take notes, but these four were among my favorites:
2021 Pieropan Soave Garganega
Bright medium yellow. Juicy flavors over stony minerality, great finish: ripe enough but not overripe, acidic enough but not shrill: a really perfect version of Pieropan Soave. Was the first bottle drained at a 23-bottle white wine tasting. Crowd favorite, and justifiably so. $19 locally.
2021 Pascal Biotteau Anjou Chenin Blanc
The last poster covered it: medium gold in color with Green apple, melon, fresh light flowers and moderate acidity that is nicely balanced. Fresh taste with bits of honey. A crowd pleaser. $16 locally.
2019 Simonnet-Febvre Saint-Bris Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc
The last reviewer on CT inappropriately compared this to a NZ SB, as if that's the be-all end-all, and of course found it lacking. This is not SB for kiwi fans, this is serious SB for Chablis fans. Deep straw gold color and rich on the palate with green apple fruit, steel, tarragon and parsley. Love Dauvissat? You'll love this. $17 locally.
2021 Domaine Pascal et Benjamin Ravier Vin de Savoie Chignin Vieilles Vignes Jacquère
Completely different experience than the last reviewer. The nose is sweet and floral but the palate is dry with excellent depth, minerality and acidity (I hate sweet and love acidity, so problems in that area would be the first things I'd notice). $22 locally.