The Tasting Panel magazine

July 2017

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The Ransom Note is a monthly column by The Tasting Panel's East Coast Editor, David Ransom. Each month, David connects readers with some of the people, products and events that are making news along the Eastern Seaboard. Summer Whites Worth Seeking Out story and photos by David Ransom L ast month, after what seemed like an eternally long winter, we finally had a few warm, sunny days in New York. In other words, outdoor party season officially started, and my psyche finally adjusted to embrace those wines—rosé excluded here, by the way—that pair well with summer's bounty. At the Harlem EatUp! festival in Morningside Park (in Harlem, of course), I had the opportunity to taste some of the elegant, mineral- driven, dry whites from Bordeaux. Traditionally made from Sémillon (one of my favorite white grape varieties) and Sauvignon Blanc, white Bordeaux—or Bordeaux blanc, as it's more officially known—is one of France's greatest not-so-hidden wine treasures and a perfect match for warm weather's lighter fare. Also on full display during the two-day-long EatUp!—an event started by Chef Marcus Samuelsson (who lives and owns two restau- rants in Harlem) to showcase the growing popularity of one of New York City's most vibrant and diverse culinary scenes—were some of the delightfully refreshing Rieslings being poured by Wines of Germany. Bright and vibrant, Riesling is Germany's hallmark wine, and tasting these paired next to the soul food, ethnic dishes and barbecue featured at the festival proved, yet again, that it is one of the world's most versatile wines as well. Lastly, at an event that took place indoors but featured all the right wines to bring to an outdoor party, I spent an afternoon at the Guía Peñín Selection New York, a seminar and tasting featuring the top-rated wines in this year's Guía Peñín (Peñín Guide), the annual review of Spanish wines run by the man who is arguably that country's greatest wine critic, José Peñín. Spain's signature whites were all there, including Albariño, Verdejo and Viura. But it was the tremendous quality of the sparkling Cava wines that made me rethink my 2017 pool-party gift ideas, with great offerings from Pere Ventura (Palm Bay International), Castillo Perelada (Vision Wine Brands) and Gramona (European Cellars) stealing the show. The Wines of Germany team at Harlem EatUp! Mary Gorman-McAdams, MW, of Bordeaux's CIVB at Harlem EatUp! Winemaker Xavier Gramona and The Tasting Panel's East Coast Editor David Ransom at the Guía Peñín event. 22  /  the tasting panel  /  july 2017

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