Hug Cellars – 2007 Cedar Lane Vineyard Arroyo Seco Sauvignon Blanc. Whew.
June 29, 2008 by vegasrenie
It’s a typical hot summer day in Las Vegas. The temperature is hovering somewhere around 105F (but it’s a dry heat!), and the dogs are lying on the tile floor, panting away and enjoying the coolness. I’m hungry and in the mood for a nice Caprese and a glass of wine.
Five minutes ago, the basil was still growing in my itsy herb garden. The small tomatoes I’d picked a little earlier when the morning was relatively cool had been washed and were draining on a paper towel on the counter. I retrieved the container of Trader Joe’s Mozzarella from the fridge and found the Pasolivo California Olive Oil in my cabinet. I was already in Caprese heaven.
I tore the whole leaves of both the sweet basil and the purple basil from their stems and placed them on the plate. That was followed by the sliced tomatoes, sliced Mozzarella, a drizzle of golden-green Extra Virgin Olive Oil , and finished with a sprinkling of Cyprus black lava salt. The color alone was enough to make you smile.
Ordinarily, I’d have a glass of Pinot Grigio with a Caprese. After all, they’re from the same region. At least that’s what I’ve been told. But they *taste* good together, and that makes sense to me. What do you do if you have a so-so Pinot Grigio, or NO Pinot Grigio?
You bunt.
I had done this last week with guests, but I had to, um, *make sure* that my observations were still right on. Yeah. That’s it!
I opened up my LAST bottle of my Hug Cellars 2007 Cedar Lane Vineyard Arroyo Seco Sauvignon Blanc to have with this meal. I had hoped to save it in order to take it to next weekend’s pool party, but, hey! Sometimes you just gotta sacrifice.
I discovered a few things. Actually, this wine just confirmed what I had already discovered. Hug Cellars can out-New Zealand New Zealand on the Sauv Blancs. Period. The fragrance was (actually, *is*) wonderful. Bracing minerality, citrus, grapefruit, gooseberry, and the ever-present “cat pee” essence that is, in my opinion, necessary for a good nose on a Sauv Blanc.
However, pairing this wine with the Caprese brought out several characteristics that were interesting to me. The “cat pee” is modified and somewhat morphed by the fragrance of the basil which complements it perfectly. I don’t know how to describe it, but it seemed as if the “cat pee” turned into basil and lifted the Caprese to a new level.
On the palate, it has a good acid backbone which cuts through the fat of the Mozzarella and Olive Oil. The citrus, kiwi, and, yes, *basil* complement the Caprese perfectly. I’m guessing that this has never seen any oak, and as a result, is pure fruit, mineral, and food-loving acidity.
Guess what I will be having with my Caprese from now on. It’s a perfect marriage. Bye-bye Pinot Grigio!
In a nutshell, Hug Cellars Sauvignon Blanc is perfect for summer fare. Brisk and refreshing, it can be drunk on its own or with a crisp summer salad, white fish, and/or fruit salsas. Because of its light nature, I’d probably steer away from heavier sauces or even poultry. Just drink it.
Hug Cellars 2007 Cedar Lane Vineyard Arroyo Seco Sauvignon Blanc can be purchased online at the Hug Cellars website.
But don’t buy it yet until I get more…
Oh yeah, for those of you who were wondering? George Clooney’s in the house!!
Very nice!!