Toast the Last Days of Summer With These Refreshing White Wines

Sunny September is here! According to the weatherman, we have a stretch of warm weather ahead, making the patio season alive and well. I have curated a selection of refreshing wines to enjoy as we toast these last summer days, with a focus on delectable white wines from Spain, France and Ontario.

Sotavento Verdejo Sobre Lias 2023
Rueda, Spain

The quirky label on this wine bottle caught my eye, and I’m so glad I tried it.  It’s made from 100% Verdejo grapes. It was fermented in stainless steel, which optimizes the expression of fruit flavours. The nose is delightfully fragrant, giving ripe peach, pineapple and herbaceous fennel notes that are repeated on the palate. The wine was left to age sur lees (sobre lias), which has given it a different character than most Verdejos; it is richer, with an almost creamy mouthfeel. Lees are leftover yeast particles which form during fermentation. They add texture and flavours which are considered beneficial to the wine. The fruit flavours persist on a flavourful long finish. A most refreshing wine which offers exceptional value. Enjoy it with shellfish or roast chicken.

Extra Dry • 14% • VINTAGES# 44584 • $15.95

Kacaba Unoaked Chardonnay 2024
Niagara Peninsula V.Q.A. Ontario

A crisp and delightful style of Chardonnay, aged without the use of oak. Kacaba’s philosophy about this wine is to celebrate the purity of the aromatics and refreshing fruit character, which is achieved by both the fermentation and aging taking place in stainless steel. The wine shows lovely fragrances of ripe pear, Fuji apple and white florals, such as jasmine. The fruit flavours blossom on the palate, with a hint of citrus zest and a well-balanced, crisp acidity. The citrus notes sing on a prolonged finish. Kacaba practices sustainable viticulture, and all of the vineyard fruit for this wine was organically farmed. Pair it with stewed lentils with sour cream, or alternately, with seafood or chicken.  Herbs such as basil or thyme added to your dishes particularly complement this wine. This wine offers excellent value!

Dry • 13.5% • LCBO# 326975 • $15.95• Vegan-friendly

Donatien Bahuaud Les Grands Mortiers Vouvray 2023
Vouvray, France

I remember the first Vouvray I tasted, and this one brings back those happy memories. This elegant 100% Chenin Blanc Vouvray presents fragrant ripe pear, elderflower, dried apricots and honey, with a hint of lime. These flavours open up on the palate, with the dried apricot notes taking the lead. Excellent acidity and a flavourful long finish complete the portrait. Enjoy this paired with grilled pork chops or sushi.

Semi-dry • 12% • VINTAGES# 140889 • $20.95

Domaine Des Petits Quarts Tradition Chenin Bonnezeaux 2022
Bonnezeaux, Loire Valley, France

Crafted from 100% Chenin Blanc hand-picked grapes, this is an elegant and aromatic wine with great finesse.  The beautiful nose presents mango, tropical fruit, kumquat and candied citrus.  These flavours blossom on a very expressive palate, which shows a satiny mouthfeel and precisely balanced acidity. Honey and candied citrus fruit flavours flow through the lingering finish.  A mouthwatering and memorable wine!  This wine is a fabulous accompaniment to lobster, foie gras, or blue cheese. You might want to set aside a bottle of this to share at Thanksgiving. Alternately, it can be cellared for up to 10 years.

Sweet • 12.5% • LCBO# 42248 • $53.95

Happy sipping!

For more wine and food discovery from Jane Staples, visit www.bellovinoj.com

Header Photo: iStock