Jun 01, 2011

Two Doves Paso Robles Moscato

With the hint of summer on the horizon, I have been looking for a wine to complement a poolside cookout. While I can’t bring myself to purchase a “white zin”, I nonetheless want something light, crisp and fruity that I can serve chilled without getting grief from my friends. Let’s see if the 2010 Two Doves Moscato fills that niche.

This current Chairman's Selection is available from your local Fine Wines & Good Spirits store for $8.99.

Review

After such a dismal winter, it seemed like Memorial Day would never come. While I know its passing does not technically signal the start of summer, for me it is symbolic of the change of seasons. The pool is open, the golf clubs are polished and the grill is clean and ready to be fired up.

With the temperatures (hopefully) rising, I prefer to move toward chilled wines for the summer. While you can’t beat a cold beer on a hot afternoon, it is not necessarily a great accompaniment to food. And, while the picture of a frosty bottle of “white zin” pops in to a lot of peoples heads, I just can’t go there. It’s just too pedestrian. With a little bit of hunting around, you can find a wonderful alternative like this week’s pick: the 2010 Two Doves Moscato. The color is a very pale straw, which belies a nice floral bouquet and a mouth-filling palate of tropical fruit. It takes a chill very well without dampening the flavors. And, there is no shame in pouring it over ice or using it as a flavor base for a wine spritzer. The sweetness would balance a nice spicy dish. And, at $8.99, I picked up a case for those much anticipated summer nights!

What Others Thought

Despite the somewhat “tacky” label, readers enjoyed this “fruity and semi-sweet” offering as an alternative to the “standard summer fair”. Many shared the “white zin phobia” and welcomed an alternative although some found it “just a bit too sweet” for their liking.

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