The Tasting Panel magazine

it was a typical simmering August. Temperatures rose above 90 degrees during the day, and we were inspired to cool ourselves down. So THE TASTING PANEL magazine and the Orange County Wine & Food Center, along with Hi Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, California, conjured up Dionysus for a heady evening of summer delights: wine, cock- tails and gourmet food. IMAGE: Albino Armani It wouldn't be summer without Pinot Grigio. The unique Albino Armani 2007 Corvara Pinot Grigio (SRP $13), from Italy's windy Valdadige DOC, is made from partially-dried grapes for exceptionally lush texture and a touch of sweetness that makes it a charming aperitif wine. —DG Underdog Wine Merchants IMAGE: Anglim A small family-owned winery that produces lim- ited-production Rhône varieties, and bit of Pinot Noir and Cab Sauv, Anglim sources grapes from some of the best vineyards of Paso Robles, Santa Maria and Santa Rita Hills. Anglim 2006 Cameo White (SRP $22), their fi rst white Rhône offering, is a marvelous blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, with ripe pear, nectarine and apricot fl a- vors. Pair Cameo with pumpkin risotto. —MR IMAGE: Alma Rosa Alma Rosa Winery has been growing sustain- ably for 38 years, but has just won the top spot on the "green leaf" list of Greenopia.com, which gave all of Alma Rosa's wines three out a possible "four leaves" rating. The luscious Alma Rosa 2007 Pinot Blanc (SRP $18) a much underappreciated varietal that offers rich lemongrass and nectarine fl avors; try it with grilled scallops and peach salsa. (This was one of my top selections at the OCWFC event!) —MR IMAGE: Albino Armani It wouldn't be summer without Pinot Grigio. The unique Albino Armani 2007 Corvara Pinot Grigio (SRP $13), from Italy's windy Valdadige DOC, is made from partially-dried grapes for exceptionally lush texture and a touch of sweetness that makes it a charming aperitif wine. —DG Underdog Wine Merchants IMAGE: Anglim A small family-owned winery that produces lim- ited-production Rhône varieties, and bit of Pinot Noir and Cab Sauv, Anglim sources grapes from some of the best vineyards of Paso Robles, Santa Maria and Santa Rita Hills. Anglim 2006 Cameo White (SRP $22), their fi rst white Rhône offering, is a marvelous blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, with ripe pear, nectarine and apricot fl a- vors. Pair Cameo with pumpkin risotto. —MR The indoor-outdoor event was white-washed with global sips of aromatic and fruity, mineral-rich and opulent Riesling, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, innumer- able styles of Chardonnay and other unique offerings. On the pages that follow, Pub- lisher Meridith May (MM), Man- aging Editor David Gadd (DG) and our newest contributor, Marlene Rossman (MR), provide color com- mentary as we sail into September, our palates revived and refreshed. White wines, rosés, seasonal cocktails and cuisine refresh us in an August heat september 2009 / the tasting panel / 77 It wouldn't be summer without Pinot Grigio. The unique Albino Armani 2007 Corvara Pinot Grigio (SRP $13), from Italy's windy Val- dadige DOC, is made from partially-dried grapes for exceptionally lush texture and a touch of sweetness that makes it a charming aperitif wine. —DG Underdog Wine Merchants Alma Rosa Winery has been growing sustainably for 38 years, but has just won the top spot on the "green leaf" list of Greenopia.com, which gave all of Alma Rosa's wines three out a possible "four leaves" rating. The luscious Alma Rosa 2007 Pinot Blanc (SRP $18) a much under- appreciated varietal that offers rich lemongrass and nectarine fl avors; try it with grilled scallops and peach salsa. (This was one of my top selections at the OCWFC event!) —MR A small family-owned winery that produces limited-production Rhône varieties, and bit of Pinot Noir and Cab Sauv, Anglim sources grapes from some of the best vineyards of Paso Robles, Santa Maria and Santa Rita Hills. Anglim 2006 Cameo White (SRP $22), their fi rst white Rhône offering, is a marvelous blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, with ripe pear, nectarine and apricot fl avors. Pair Cameo with pumpkin risotto. —MR

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