Past Issues: Drinks with Les Dames, apr/may 2007

Wine Skinny Managing Editor Robyn Tinsley is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, an international organization of women in the food, beverage and hospitality professions. Les Dames (or LDEI) is a great community-based group that offers a supportive network to its members and participates in local educational and philanthropic efforts like the LDEI Civic Agriculture & Garden Initiative.

These are also some women who can really get into a wine tasting, if you know what we mean! Each issue, we'll bring you the results of a Drinks with Les Dames tasting -- what they liked, what they didn't, food pairing ideas, and more.

To get ready for Spring sipping, the Houston Dames gathered to taste Sauvignon Blancs from around the world. We definitely liked some better than others - here are the winners, along with a few others we've tasted around here lately:

Amisfield 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Central Otago ($24). Nicely balanced between opulent tropical flavors and juicy citrus, with loads of fresh fruit character. Clean, crisp finish. Ready to drink now.

Condesa de Leganza 2005 Sauvignon Blanc La Mancha ($10). Fresh and citrusy, with appealing concentration, texture and focus. Tropical flavors linger on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Picks 02/07)

Dashwood 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($15). Really delicious, with racy citrus, juicy apple and tropical melon flavors all mingling through the focused, refreshing finish. Ready to drink now.

Drylands 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($15). A tasting favorite, with loads of "wow" factor! Loads of classic gooseberry aromas introduce concentrated orange zest, papaya, grapefruit and fresh, grassy notes. Long, evolving finish. Ready to drink now.

Edna Valley 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Edna Valley-San Luis Obispo County Paragon ($15). Pungent grapefruit and tropical citrus are racy and in your face - this is a love it or hate it wine, but some of us loved it! With loads of grassy notes and a touch of smoke. Ready to drink now. (Richard's Picks 02/07)

Geyser Peak 2006 Sauvignon Blanc California ($12). Crisp and refrehsing, with aromatic, juicy citrus, pineapple and a touch of melon that linger on the finish. Great deal. Ready to drink now.

Kim Crawford 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($17). A perennial favorite, this vintage may be one of the best in recent years. With focused citrus and gooseberry aromas and flavors playing off lush nectarine and mango. Generous, bright finish. Ready to drink now.

Moon Mountain 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County ($12). Honeyed apple and citrus flavors and aromas linger through the crisp finish. Nice value. Ready to drink now.

Remy Pannier 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Loire Valley ($11). Fresh and pretty, with sweet pea and hay accents to the crisp pear and citrus fruit. Picks up just a touch of mineral on the moderate finish. Not overly complex, but still tasty. Ready to drink now.

Robert Hall 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Paso Robles ($15). Lightly perfumed grassy notes accent bright citrus and crisp apple fruit, picking up almond and a touch of cream through the finish. Ready to drink now.

Veramonte 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Reserva ($10). Refreshing, tangy citrus fruit mixes with freshly mown grass aromas and flavors and a touch of lush melon. Juicy finish. Ready to drink now.

Wine Skinny Match: For a quick cheese pairing, serve a young goat cheese alongside a salad of fresh cilantro leaves tossed with a citrus vinaigrette and assorted crackers!

A bientôt!