Jessica Slosberg, Daily Staff Writer
Domaine Le Capitaine Vouvray
A wine with a lower alcohol content can be a beautiful thing. After two glasses, you’re happy and relaxed rather than unsteady.
“This wine packs a lot of flavour, but it’s not so high in alcohol that after two, you’re wobbly,” said local wine distributor rep Kenny Teague.
This French white wine from the Loire valley is 12.5 percent alcohol and can do double duty as a cocktail or a first-course wine. Made from the chenin blanc grape – “a great, underrated grape in the same family as Riesling.” According to Teague – this wine has a beautiful nose, not unlike a bouquet of flowers. In the mouth, this wine is slightly sweet at first but finishes dry.
“It’s not the biggest picture in the room, but it’s interesting looking.” Teague said.
The wine is light and easy t drink and pairs well with liver based appetizers, like foie gras or pate. Try it with light cheeses if organ meat isn’t your thing.
“It’s also great with Chinese take-out or killer with grilled fish or any of the sort or stuff we make that has spice to it. It would be really good with sea bass with fresh mango chutney or even some of the Indian-food flavours,” Teague said.

Caramie schnell, High Life Editor

Light and refreshing wines
I have been hearing the term “ABC” a lot lately. People are sick of run-of-the-mill Chardonnays and Cabernets. While I will maintain that there is nothing like a Grand Cru white Burgundy, I do understand the sentiment. There are so many great white varieties out there, why drink just one, even if it is terrific.
Now is the time to start picking your spring and summer sippers. Wines like Viognier and Vouvray are two terrific whites that come to mind.
A bit more full-body Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio if Italian) or Sauvignon Blanc, they both have a terrific mineral quality to them that make them perfect for grilled or smoked fish.
Some really good Vouvray are Marc Predif and also Le Capitaine. The former can be found at the new Hampshire State liquor store, but the latter, one of my favourites, can be found at Fish Tales. The Wine Society and 12 Pine.
This variety is made from the chenin blanc grape. I had the pleasure of traveling to Vouvray and was privileged to sample some of the finest that the Loire River valley has to offer, so I’m little partial.
Viognier is another less popular variety that has the similar type quality to it that the Vouvray does. It is made from the grapes bearing the same name and more of it is being produced in the U.S. now.

Kathleen Metzler, Thursday, February 22, 2007.

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