Summer Whites
I spent part of my Labor Day weekend reorganizing my closet. However, I was not prepared to store my summer whites — I don’t subscribe to the antiquated idea of not wearing white after Labor Day. Most style experts will tell you that nowadays, it is…
I spent part of my Labor Day weekend reorganizing my closet. However, I was not prepared to store my summer whites — I don’t subscribe to the antiquated idea of not wearing white after Labor Day. Most style experts will tell you that nowadays, it is perfectly acceptable to wear white all year long, especially when done right. But I have noticed that each year, I make an effort to wear as much of my summer whites as I possibly can before summer’s end. It’s silliness really, especially since the summer-ish season extends way past September where I live.
However, the Bay Area has many micro-climates – you may find yourself in downtown San Francisco, where leather jackets, jeans and boots are sometimes necessary to battle the summer fog chill, while twenty minutes inland, flip flops and frilly sundresses are de rigueur at the local coffee shop.
By San Francisco standards, it’s been a mild summer. And by mild, I mean cooler than usual. No matter the location, everyone here agrees that summer almost did not feel like summer. Not that we’re complaining. I think most people were happy to not have to deal with 100 degree (even dry 100 degree) temperatures.
As luck would have it, just as the kids all returned to school, the mercury rose. We finally got our summery weather. We dug out our sandals and tank tops. I pulled out my white dresses.
We opened the wine fridge for some Sauvignon Blanc.
A refreshing white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc is easy to appreciate in the summer. Just as balmy temperatures returned to the Bay Area, I kept encountering articles on the sometimes under-appreciated (especially in Cab-crazed California wine country) varietal. Lettie Teague of the Wall Street Journal devoted her August 21/22 Weekend Journal column on the Sauvignon Blanc as a wonderful “safety wine.” I tend to agree that it is an extremely versatile wine to pair with such a wide array of foods, and most people seem to enjoy a crisp, clean glass of Sauvignon Blanc on a hot summer day.
Wine Spectator also published their tasting report on California Sauvignon Blanc. I was excited to see that one of the wines I had recently tried and wanted to share with you was selected as one of MaryAnn Worobiec’s recommended picks of the 125 tasted.
The Capture 2009 Tradition Sauvignon Blanc is a lovely example of a good Sauvignon Blanc that is happy to play a supporting role to a wide variety of dishes, whether it is spicy sushi, succulently grilled fish, or a creamy pasta. But it is strong enough to stand on its own, for those languorous summer evenings when you just want to sip on something just sweet enough. Exciting flavors of passionfruit, pear and grapefruit will greet you in the glass and leave you with a tranquil finish that reminds you of the lazy days of summer.
But don’t be fooled into thinking that Sauvignon Blanc is only for summer. This is one white that you can enjoy all year long. I know I will.
Comments
COOKBOOK
Great review. Liren, you write so beautifully. I, too, don’t subscribe to the not-wearing-white-after-labor-day club :) Of white wine, I prefer sav blanc so I look forward to trying Capture. Thanks for sharing.
Trish, thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed this. And I hope you enjoy the wine as much as I did!
Wonderful review…I have not tried any of their wines, this one sounds pretty good. I do like a versatile wine, especially for guests :)
I’m sure it will be a hit with your guests!
It has been a very mild summer in SoCal, too. Not good for the gardens in the area. Sauvignon is my white wine of choice because it lends itself to so many foods, and I drink it year-round :-) Look forward to trying Capture and hearing about their other wines, thanks for sharing your beautifully written review.
Hi Priscilla – what a nice comment, thank you! I hope you enjoy the wine.
Tara
Co-founder of Capture Wines
Hi Liren – it has been a while! It’s all too easy to fall off each other’s radars, with our crazy, busy lives isn’t it? Thanks for taking the time to drop by :)
The Sauvignon Blanc sounds lovely – pear, passionfruit and grapefruit must surely add up to irresistable? Now is it my imagination or is that a couple locked in an embrace and kissing, on the label, above the word “Capture”?
Ohhhh, Denis, you’re very clever – you saw our hidden embrace in the logo! There are couples involved with this project – Denis and his wife, May-Britt, Mike and Carol, and Ben and myself. Great eye!!
The logo also represents our high elevation vineyard (nearly 2,500 feet above sea level) and the gold nugget look is to represent the people who homesteaded the vineyar din 1855 – they were looking for gold (never found it!).
I hope you enjoy the wine! You can email us at info@capturewines.com if you would like to purchase it from us or we can help you find a location in your area.
Leave it to Denise to spot the beautiful embrace in the logo! She is indeed very clever! I love how this label is simple, yet so very full of meaning. Beautifully designed! Thanks for the story behind it, Tara!
Can’t wait to try Capture. Sauvignon Blanc is my go-to white, no matter what time of year.
And you’re right about this mild Bay Area summer…hardly a night went by where you didn’t have to be bundled up on the patio, but I still managed to enjoy a glass or two of wine out there…
Thank you for this wonderful review of our Sauvingon Blanc! We are very proud of this unusual Sauvignon Blanc from California. Our winemaker is Denis Malbec – who was the winemaker at Chateau Latour in France – so our wines, as you discovered, are very food friendly and meant to be enjoyed with family and friends.
Our wines are all small production, so they are available in select restaurants and only a few wine stores around the country: http://www.capturewines.com/Find. You can also purchase wine directly from us at the winery – just email info@capturewines.com or call us at 707-395-0457.
We’ll have a Dark Rose and a Chardonnay to share with you in about a month!
Thank you again.
Tara
Tara, thank you so much for dropping by and for providing more information on where everyone can find this amazing wine! I have heard wonderful things about Denis Malbec – actually had a great chat with my local wine merchant when I purchased this bottle – he mentioned Denis Malbec as one of his favorite winemakers of all time.
Thank you again, and I look forward to trying the Chardonnay and Dark Rose!
Thank you again Liren!
Thanks for this review! I love to hear about what other people are drinking for wine, I too easily get stuck in my wine rut and I love Sauvignon Blanc all the time, sometimes for no reason at all!
You’re so welcome – I love sharing wines that I feel are must tries! It’s always nice to hear what others are enjoying in their wine glasses :) And yes, Sauvignon Blanc is wonderful all year long!
I also like this all year. Will visit a few of my local stores in Manhattan to see if I find this Sauvignon Blanc/
Sauvignon Blanc is my fav summer wine (particularly those from New Zealand)… In fact, I’m having a glass right now as I eat lunch.
I love a sav blanc and look forward to trying this! Thanks for the review!
I know next to nothing about wine. I’m always the girl at the liquor store who picks her bottles based on the image on the labels (embarrassing I know!) So thank you for offering a new wine for me to try. It is still very hot here in Texas, so I know it will be a refreshing choice!
Monet, this is a perfect wine for you to enjoy, especially in Texas, where I know this will be particularly refreshing! And about the labels, don’t worry, I remember when I first started learning about wine, I found myself doing the same thing. It takes a long while, and it helps to have good recommendations from friends :)
I’m ready for cooler weather…I’m living in the wrong state/city, as I prefer sweaters, light jackets, boots (luv hats) and cozy clothing to sleeveless, flip flops. :)
Nice review – I’m going to look for this sauvignon-blanc. I think Hubby will enjoy it and it would be a nice bottle to welcome in the change of season (on the calendar, not weather-wise). Hope you and your family are enjoying the holiday weekend!
Cristina, sometimes I feel like there is such a disconnect when I see autumn decorations in the stores only to go outside to be greeted by summery weather! The good news is, I crave wines like this no matter the season. But fear not, I think cooler weather will be heading our way soon…I am getting excited about sweaters and boots, too!