Advice for finding a white party wine on a budget
Holiday parties can present a challenge to people who want to serve a nice wine with party foods but cannot afford to spend large amounts of money on several bottles.
A white party wine should have broad appeal — exotic whites with unusual flavors might not be the choice here — that has a measure of complexity and can go well with foods such as cheese and dips.
It's harder to find a good bottle of white in the $10 range than it is a red (party reds will be the column's topic next week), so it's important to choose wisely.
We asked our wine-tasting group to compare five candidates for a white party wine for the holidays. The results follow.
2007 Hughes Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet, $9.99. This wine from Languedoc, France, showed aromas of oranges, peach flesh, nectar, rose petals and lilac. Apple and apricot flavors appeared on the palate along with a slight almond bitterness. The picpoul grape is not well known, but it delivered value in this wine, ranking first in our tasting.
2007 Yalumba Y-Series Unwooded Chardonnay, $11.99. The nose suggested candied bananas, soft lemon candy, citrus fruit and a hint of brininess. This Australian chardonnay had nice weight in the mouth with flavors of lemon candy, stone fruit pits, powdered sugar and almonds. The Yalumba's palate was much better than the nose, earning it second place in our tasting.
2007 3 Blind Moose Pinot Grigio, $9.99. This California white had scents of apricots, pears, orange soda, candied lemon and floral notes. It had a lighter texture than the others and low acidity with baking spice on the finish. My tasters were divided on this wine, but it got enough votes for third.
2006 Pepperwood Grove California Chardonnay, $7.99. The bouquet offered candied bananas, pears, fruit cocktail, smoked oysters and some waxiness. In the mouth, we tasted flavors of bananas and cooked sugar and a smoky finish. The fruit was bitter tasting and the finish short.
2007 Marquis Philips Holly's Blend, $11.99. This wine from Southeast Australia had aromas of caramelized peaches, fruit cake and lime zest. It was refreshing, with flavors of bananas, pineapples, tropical fruit and cream soda. We thought this wine needed food to be at its best.
Surfing the shelves
2003 The Holy Trinity Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre Barossa, $43. This traditional Australian blend offered plums and red berry aromas, backed by spices, mint, flowers and a bit of earthiness. Intense flavors rolled over the tongue, with earthy spices on the finish.
2006 Sbragia Limited Release Napa Chardonnay, $40. Pretty scents of lemon, vanilla and butterscotch filled the nose. Big and intense in the mouth, with butter, spice and citrus fruit.
2007 Harlow Ridge Lodi Sauvignon Blanc, $10. Gentle citrus and melon aromas led to flavors of grapefruit softened with honeyed melon notes in the mouth. Hints of bitter herbs showed on the finish of this clean, refreshing wine.
2005 Frog's Leap Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, $75. Blended with 4 percent cabernet franc, this wine had a nose of rich, ripe dark fruit, black currants, black licorice and forest floor. Soft and rich in the mouth, with mild tannins. Drink now or age two to four years.
2006 Wild Horse Chardonnay, $17. From California's Central Coast, this chard offered aromas of citrus and toast and flavors of crisp Granny Smith apples and caramel with a hint of vanilla.
2005 Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet Syrah Vin de Pays de la Drome, $15. From the Crozes-Hermitage region of France, this light, uncomplicated wine provided hints of fresh fruit in the nose and on the palate.