Maybe you’re on your way to a cookout. Or you’re planning a dinner party and fish tacos, bossäm, or barbecue chicken is on the menu. In any case, if you’re eager to sip something refreshing as temperatures climb, my advice is to put Bouchaine’s Alsatian Blend in your cooler.
As the name suggests, the white wine features grapes traditionally grown in Alsace, France. The blend features minerally Pinot Gris, aromatic Gewurtztraminer, bright Riesling, and plush Pinot Blanc. It’s sophisticated and approachable, with lots of food-friendly acidity and texture.
The winery is in Napa Valley, a region that many people tend to associate with beefy Cabernet Sauvignons or buttery Chardonnays. But Napa is a big and varied place, and Bouchaine’s winemaker, Chris Kajani, is a maverick with all sorts of crisp, elegant bottles—her structured Pinot Noir and racy estate Riesling are also among my favorites.
Of course, you don’t have to be in the mood to reevaluate preconceptions about Napa Valley or contemplate the signature grapes of Alsace to enjoy this wine. You might just want to pop open something delicious as the summer sun sets. Either way, Bouchaine’s Alsatian Blend delivers. $42.99, elcerritoliquor.com
