Les Hospices Sancerre: Ready for summer

Feel it?  A change in the weather is here in the valley.  The oncoming summer, Arizona style!  Oh yeah, the patio’s allure calls.  Of course, that means patio food and naturally that leads to a refreshing patio wine.  So let’s take a different tack this time and start with the wine, then pick the food later.

So what is the best repast for a late-spring evening starter here in the desert?  Believe it or not, when in doubt, go to France.  This is because as the weather warms here in the Phoenix area our flowering desert plants put out one last shot, injecting their perfume and greenery scents into the air.

And French wines specialize in perfumes; be it citrus, rose, lilac, or lily.  They have it all.  One of the best regions for citrus, veggie and floral is Sancerre.  Their flowery lemon grass scents produce such a well-centered bouquet, that when combined with the spring aromas that we have right out the back door each evening, just raising a glass to the nose is a pair to remember.

So once the “outdoor pairing” is settled, conjure up a familiar shrimp cocktail appetizer, platter it up, and with a bottle of Sancerre in tow, head outside to enjoy the fading pink evening sky.  Then savor another changing of the guard from spring to summer.

While it can be a bit daunting to pick out the right Sancerre for a good price, AJs carries “Les Hospices” Sancerre (aka Sauvignon Blanc) as part of their current offering, an excellent choice.  It sells at $22.99 (find it in Chandler for sure).

Showing a full lemon grass flinty bouquet, plus lemon-lime with balanced fruit and acidity on the mid-palate, and a spicy citrus finish; it’s perfect with what’s blowing in the wind from about 6:00 to 7:30.  In short, it’s certainly a good puppy to start a desert evening.

Because the bouquet of this wine comes forward best with just a moderate chill, serve it from the fridge after about 45 minutes (55-60 degrees).