The people who work for Gallo are noted for their ability to sculpt wines to order, preserving grapes’ characteristics wherever they might have grown. Consider Turning Leaf, a Gallo brand with wines that clearly bear the appropriate varietal hallmark.
The variety in mind here is sauvignon blanc as offered by Turning Leaf’s 2001 reserve bottling. The wine carries a “California” appellation, meaning its grapes came from various California vineyards. It won a gold medal at this year’s West Coast Wine Competition and has a price tag of $8.
A small amount of viognier (3 percent) helps this gold-hued, medium-bodied wine stands out from the sauvignon crowd. You also will find flavors of melon and grapefruit. Although sauvignon blanc is identified with summer foods, this citrus-accented wine can be poured year-round with smoked or broiled fish, pork and salads or sandwiches featuring goat cheese.