Winey Tasting Notes: A Wine After My Own Heart: Ann’s White Wine

ByThe Winey Mom

Judging by the gifts that The Winey Children bought for The Winey Hubby and I this past Christmas, we can honestly say that we have taught them well when it comes to choosing presents. The Winey Hubby has very good taste when it comes to shopping. He has his artist mother’s eye for decorating and choosing things like artwork, china, table linens and furniture. And I am a big advocate of the “buy fewer but buy quality – especially if you can get it on sale” shopping school (I love me a good sale hunt). The Winey Kids have taken the best of these lessons and become very good and thoughtful shoppers.

Elon University Wine Glass, Callaghan Vineyards Ann's White Blend
My presents!

For instance, The Winey Daughter was able to find me a gold and maroon Elon University wine glass for Christmas. It is oversized and long-stemmed and I just love it! The Winey Son is old enough to buy wine as presents now, and in exploring his temporary digs in Arizona, found Callaghan Vineyards and another amazing Christmas gift: Ann’s Selection White Wine (2010, 13.5%, Elgin, Arizona). Yes, a wine named after ME!! OK, maybe not me in particular, but hey, it says Ann’s right there on the label and that is all that matters to me! How great is that?

Ann’s is a white blend, and Callaghan says it is made up of “equal parts Grenache Blanc, Verdelho, Symphony (Muscat x Grenache Blanc), Marsanne and Roussanne.” It’s also an unfiltered wine (meaning that it doesn’t go through the process to make it see-through wine. So while it has a sunny golden-yellow color, it isn’t “crystal clear”. It’s also totally barrel fermented in French Oak, which gives it a creamy feel and taste.

Ann’s starts out with faint aromas of ripe pears. The flavors of yellow apples, golden pears, starfruit and cinnamon are dominant and it finishes up with a sour, tart taste. To expound on that “creamy” feel, I’d describe this wine as “round”. It’s not as satiny full as a Chardonnay. It has a lighter feel to it even though it has many of the same flavors you’d expect in a Chardonnay. (It paired nicely with the Elon glass, by the way.)

Ann’s is currently available to buy from Callaghan’s on-line store (check to make sure they can ship to your state AND note that they will only ship wine from November-March, thanks to the hot Arizona weather). You will love it as much as I did if you like your a smooth, creamy white with lots of mellow fruit flavors. It would pair wonderfully with roast chicken or a pasta dish with a creamy (not tomato) sauce.

I wonder what other amazing gifts The Winey Kiddos will find for me in the future? I think I cannot wait for Mother’s Day!

Cheers!