Three Sisters Winery

White wine helps beat the heat

The heat is on and refreshing summer white wines are the answer for the perfect pairing whether it’s a good book on the patio or visiting friends.

Verdello? Verdelho? Verdejo? Any way it’s spelled these three different grapes with similar taste characteristics are a must try for value wine drinkers in the warm weather.

A little explanation is needed, though.

Verdello is typically grown in Italy and Sicily. The grape is known for tropical fruit flavors and some of the stone fruit you might taste in a Sauvignon Blanc.

Verdelho is probably one of the easiest of three to find. It’s grown largely on the island of Madeira, just off Portugal’s coast. The grape is often used in heavy-bodied Madeira wines which are fortified. It’s used to make a delightful light-bodied white table wine that is good with salads or perhaps lighter seafood dishes.

Records exist suggesting Verdelho dates as far back as the 15th century in Madeira. Like other varietals, it almost disappeared in the 1970s until some diehard producers brought Verdelho back.

Verdejo is grown extensively in Spain’s northwestern regions. Look it up and you’ll find comparisons to Sauvignon Blanc and suggestions of a wine with hints of pear, some sweetness and nice acidity.

What is interesting about this trio of grapes is obviously name similarity, but certainly some similar taste characteristics. What’s even more interesting is that they are three different grapes that have never conclusively been shown to be genetic cousins, brothers or sisters.

These wines have clearly escaped the three geographic areas as well. Australia grows some Verdelho to produce a very fresh and smooth wine. Many Aussies consider Verdelho as an ABC wine — Anything But Chardonnay.

One of the great things about these 

V-Wines, as I’m calling them, is that you can find great bottles for $9-$20. It’s not a wine you’ll find in supermarkets or most liquor stores. During these summer months any wine shop is likely to have one of the three.

Wine Travel — During three years of wine writing, this column, the blog, a quarterly magazine I write for and Palate Press — The National Online Wine magazine have featured some of my stories about wine travel and visiting wine regions.

I will be in Oregon’s Willamette Valley on July 19-22 visiting wineries and other attractions. I have a tentative schedule of winery visits with plenty of time to stop anyplace that just looks interesting. A couple of winemakers have set aside time to visit and I’m looking forward to tasting wines at a couple of stops I couldn’t make on two previous visits.

Bogleheads :: View topic - Considering Retiring to Athens, Georgia ...

My wife went to high school around Atlanta, has family scattered around Georgia, and even lived in Athens 8 years while completing her professional degree at the university. But it was long ago, she was broke, buried in studies. As a result she didn't experience Athens the way we might today many years later with a bit more money and a lot more free time. Other: Strong university influence, lots of college sports, continuing education, etc. The schools in Athens proper aren't great, but that's probably not much of a concern for you - and there are good schools available in the surrounding area. It's located a nice distance from all that Atlanta has to offer - close enough to be convenient (< 90 minutes to ATL airport, even less to most other parts of Atlanta) but far enough away that you don't have to deal with traffic, crowds, etc. unless you choose to do so. If you mainly concerned about high taxes, GA may not be what you are looking for. There is an exemption for income in retirement, but the state is in terrible financial shape. While the focus has been on the economic problems in CA, FL, NV, and ZA, for ex, GA is also a state that have been hit very hard. So the current tax advantages may not stay in place. The top rate is now 6%, and has been so for at least the 30 years I've lived here, so that part is probably more likely to stay in place. Don't know what midwest state you are from, so its hard to know if 6% is better or worse than you are thinking of. There are good sources of whole/organic food. Not sure about tai chi or yoga - I would think so. Medical care was covered above - two hospitals in town, the University is starting a local medical campus, and it's about an hour from Atlanta (w/Emory, etc). Not particularly bike friendly. Yes, crazy on football Saturdays. That's only six days per year, though. The worst thing about Athens is having to deal with all the UGA alumni and "fans" that never stepped foot in a classroom. UGA can apparently produce a ton of top level NFL talent over a decade yet not sniff a mythical NC but in some minds the Dawgs remain the best team evah. (I digress, my guys are in the other division and have brought home some hardware). As others indicated if you are > 62 and own a house you are exempt from the school related property tax. The county I live in is raising millage rates 16% which does not surprise me.

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