Wolffer 21 Sauv Blanc

This is a Sauvignon Blanc from the Wolffer label, listed as a United States wine under a Massachusetts appellation. The catalog also files it under rosé, so check the label to confirm the style before you buy. If it is the white Sauvignon Blanc the name suggests, here is what to expect. The bottle's own tasting notes aren't listed, so what follows describes the typical style and not a measured profile of this bottle. Sauvignon Blanc in a cool-leaning American context usually shows bright citrus (grapefruit, lime, green apple) with grassy, herbal, or passion-fruit notes. The body is generally light to medium, with crisp, mouth-watering acidity and little to no oak influence. If this bottle was made in stainless steel, as most examples in this style are, expect a clean, dry finish that is fairly short to moderate in length. Tannin is not a feature of white wines, so the structure comes from acidity and any texture from time on the lees. At the table, the acidity suits goat cheese, fresh chèvre salads, and herb-driven dishes such as pesto pasta or green-sauced chicken. It also works with raw oysters, steamed mussels, grilled white fish with lemon, and shrimp. Sushi and Thai or Vietnamese dishes with lime and fresh herbs are good matches too. Salty fried foods and tangy vinaigrettes are fine here, since the wine's acidity keeps up with them. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F, which is about two hours in the refrigerator or 30 minutes in an ice bucket. Decanting isn't needed. A standard white wine glass, or a slightly narrower tulip shape, will focus the citrus and herbal aromas. Wines in this style are generally made to be drunk young, within a couple of years of release. The "21" in the name may refer to a vintage, so check the label and treat an older bottle as one to open soon, not to cellar.