wine+cheese
connectıon

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Off the beaten path

JIM FAGIOLO

Sarah George Buyer, Cheese

Five uncommon wines
to sample this summer

PHOTODISC

By Annette Alvarez-Peters

DAN MANNING

ONE EXCITING ASPECT of exploring the world of wines is that treasures lie off the beaten path. Don’t shy away from the unfamiliar. Here’s a look at five fashionable varietals you might not have thought to pick up … until now! Viognier (vee-yawn- ANNETTE

_{ALVAREZ-PETERS} yay) is a full-bodied white—very aromatic, with

attractive rich mineral flavors. Most have lovely stone-fruit flavors of apricots and peaches and are meant to be consumed young. The wines are produced in the northern Rhône and South Australia regions, as well as in California and South Africa. Viognier, traditionally a blending grape, has become a trendy single varietal that is crisp and refreshing, with beautiful floral aromas. Try it with dishes that might normally call for a Gewürztraminer (guh-vurtz-trah-mean-er), such as lighter seafood dishes, fruits and many cheeses.

Pinot Gris (pee-noh gree) is a light-bod-ied white, high in acidity and grown in cool areas such as Oregon, Alsace and northeast Italy, where it is also known as Pinot Grigio. Oregon Pinot Gris delivers bold and expressive flavors and is fuller in body than Italian

 

Featured at Costco Incognito Viognier Item #158708 Beringer Viognier Item #281837 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris Item #476424 Kris Pinot Grigio Item #310444 Montes Cherub Rosé Item #157377 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Item #10862 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Reserve Item #128269 Beaucastel Coudoulet Rouge Item #35696 Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec Item #183433

Not all wines available at all locations.
See costco.com for more wine choices.

Pinot Grigio, which tends to be light bodied and fairly neutral. Alsace Pinot Gris has attractive notes of honey and spice. The wines have a lovely creaminess—perfect with a summer salad or light seafood.

Malbec (mal-bek), rich and lush, has become a trademark of Argentina’s best wine regions. Malbec has a deep red color, soft tannins and robust fruit flavors.

Malbec is also produced in France, where it is one of the five red grape varietals found in the blend of Bordeaux wines. This fashionable red variety offers a tremendous value-to-quality ratio and can stand up to almost anything you throw on the barbecue.

Tempranillo (temp-rah-nee-yo), Spain’s most noble wine grape, grows in moderate to hot climates throughout several Spanish wine regions, especially in Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The variety is also found in Portugal and Argentina. These wines have a balanced acidity, are usually higher in alcohol and feature a wide range of flavors from strawberries to plums.

Tempranillos can be enjoyed now or can be long-lived: As the wine ages, the flavors can take on a savory, meaty character and a beautiful spicy note. Try it with grilled lamp chops.

Grenache (greh-nash), or Garnacha ( gar-nah-cha) in Spain, is a red varietal that produces a wide range of styles, from a bone-dry, light-colored rosé to a big, ripe, jammy fruit bomb. The grape is planted throughout the southern Rhône region, from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Tavel, as well as Spain and South Australia. It’s a perfect complement to barbecued chicken wings in the summer, as well as various cheeses.

The lovely strawberry-flavored, refreshing rosé wines from Tavel and rosatos from Spain are popular, as are the concentrated, rich wines with white peppered notes found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the fruity rich blends from Spain or Australia.

Take a chance and experiment with at least one new varietal this summer. Cheers! C

MY CHEESE TIP thıs month is simple: Try local!

Many people stay with Old World favorites when making their cheese choices. And for good reason: The Europeans have perfected cheesemaking over thousands of years. But American cheesemakers have done wonderful things by blending time-honored traditions from Europe and abroad with local influences and flavors—and classic American ingenuity.

In 43 of 50 states, families and entrepreneurs are perfecting sustainable, high-quality cheesemaking. Costco’s cheese-buying team chooses a few of these local products to bring in to select warehouses.

For example, Costco warehouses in the Seattle area carry Beecher’s cheese,

made in the city’s historic Pike Place
Market. In California, members will find
Bravo Farms cheeses, while in Vermont,
Carr Valley cheese is a sure winner.
What makes American cheeses spe-
cial? They’re often a creative twist on a
traditional variety. A number are farm-
stead—they are made from milk produced
on the cheesemaker’s farm. And the price
can be lower than for European cheeses.
These small farms are making great
cheeses in limited quantities. The dedica-
tion to quality can be tasted in every
batch. Your new favorite may be from a
cheesemaker in your own backyard!

JIM FAGIOLO

For information on Costco’s Kirkland Signature^™ wines, go to costco.com, click on “Costco Connection Magazine,” then “Kirkland Signature Wine Connection.”

NW

Annette Alvarez-Peters oversees Costco’s national wine, spirits and beer program.

The Costco Connection

Costco carries a variety of local cheeses, with selections varying by location.

^N Beecher’s Cheese—Beecher’s Flagship

Item #35366

^N Marin French Cheese—Rouge et Noir (Soft Cheese Sampler) Item #22882