When it comes to white wines, some of the most interesting are blends made from Rhone Varietal grapes. Producers in Paso Robles (aka The Rhone Rangers) noticed this years ago, and taking advantage of their excellent local climate for bold fruit, they have been refining their techniques ever since.
Because the grapes that go into a white Rhone blend are not widely cultivated in North America, wines made from them are often only available in limited quantities. This is especially true for Midnight Cellars’ “Aurora” Reserve white wine with less than 300 cases produced for the 2008 vintage.
Midnight Cellars is available at AJs for under $30. But you may have to have them re-order; it is sometimes out of stock. If you are fan of Rhone-style white wines, you should give this one a try.
Aurora contains 4 different Rhone grape varietals, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc, making its character quite captivating. With a bouquet that has very little of the honey and melon associated with Viognier, the presence of vanilla and tropical fruit is a pleasant surprise. And the vanilla continues right though into the flavors on the palate and contributes to a smooth lingering finish. This makes it very good with rich seafood dishes or just by itself.
Chill in the fridge for about 40 minutes before serving (55-60 degrees). The bouquet is somewhat delicate, so don’t open it when too chilled.
Article by Tom Peiffer, Phoenix Wine Shopping Examiner at Examiner.com
View more of Tom’s articles on Examiner.com by visiting his writer’s page.
