Over the past decade, sauvignon blanc wines have been increasingly popular for their “thanks, I needed that!” slap of acidity and refreshing fruit flavors. They are well suited to composed salads, vegetables and fish or meat.
Here’s a pleasing, bargain-priced find from Chile. Caliterra is a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Vina Errazuriz. The Chilean grapes have given the wine a generous dose of tropical fruit, including mango and pineapple. Although the aroma is restrained at present, it should develop soon.
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Thoroughly modern winemaking, including cold fermentation, account for the clear straw color and long, grapefruit-dominated finish. The producers are bold enough to suggest pitting this wine against a Caesar salad. Less risky would be pairings with soups, salads and seafood containing tropical fruit, smoked fish, turkey or Asian dishes. With its price of $8, you can take a few chances.