Novella Synergy Blanc `08 $6.99 ****

I liked it, I really liked it.  I was cooking an impromptu Saturday dinner and I needed a white for cooking and a white to serve with shrimp kabobs from the grill.  This Paso Robles wine was a win/win.  Not too sweet, not too dry, no oak, and a great peach finish - really good for summer.  Very easy to drink (which may be why Sunday morning was so painful when the cat started meowing to be let in at 5:40am)

I made a silly menu mistake for 80 degree NY weather and I made mushroom and pea risotto.  Umm, salad, that was the word that should have come to mind when I was shopping - oops.  Oh well.  The wine was good for making risotto. It also worked well with the spicy Guacamole I made for an appetizer.  I did not mean to make spicy guacamole, but the deceptive peppers that were in the freezer were HOT.  I should have know that, as the owners of the refrigerator like spicy southwestern food  BUT I wasn't expecting to be blasted off the scoville scale. (I am squatting housesitting between apartments). This wine works very well with spicy food.  It also held up to the saltiness of the tortilla chips.

My suggestion: cook with it, pour yourself a glass, then chill it to be served with dinner and when that bottle is polished off, move on to a nice prosecco to go with the chocolate and Grand Marnier crepes for dessert.... But that's just me.

Jason over at Jason's Wine Blog reviewed this wine and posted the blend.  55.6% Sauvignon Blanc, 40.8% Chardonnay, 3.3% Muscat Canelli and 0.3% Pinot Grigio" - Thanks Jason, and as usual, great review. I am in 100% agreement with you.

Menu:

Guacamole with Tortilla chips
Cajun Shrimp Skewers
Sirloin Tip Skewers
Mushroom Risotto
Organic Ciabatta
Chocolate Grand Mariner Crepes