Sea Ridge Sauv Blanc

Sea Ridge Sauv Blanc is a Sauvignon Blanc from Massachusetts, bottled under the Esplanda label. A New England origin sets it apart from the better-known Sauvignon Blanc regions. Cool, Atlantic-influenced growing conditions generally favor high natural acidity and restrained ripeness, so expect a crisp, linear white rather than a tropical one. No vintage or alcohol level is listed here, so check the label for those. Sauvignon Blanc in this style usually shows citrus first, with lime, grapefruit and green apple. Cooler sites tend to add herbal and grassy notes such as cut grass, green pepper or fresh-snipped chives, and sometimes a gooseberry or white-currant edge. Expect a light to medium body, bright acidity, no tannin, and little or no oak influence, since this grape is most often fermented and aged in stainless steel to keep it fresh. The finish should be dry, clean and fairly quick, with a mineral or citrus-peel note. That acidity makes the wine a good match for salty and briny food. Oysters, steamed clams, fried calamari and a simple broiled white fish with lemon all suit it, which fits a coastal name like Sea Ridge. Goat cheese, feta, and salads dressed with vinaigrette and fresh herbs work for the same reason. Dishes built on cilantro, lime, green chili or asparagus are the other classic match, because the wine's herbal side echoes them. Rich cream sauces and heavily spiced red-sauce dishes will overwhelm it. Serve it well chilled, about 44 to 48°F (7 to 9°C), which is roughly three hours in the refrigerator or thirty minutes in an ice bucket. A wine like this doesn't need decanting. A standard white-wine glass with a slightly tapered rim keeps the citrus and herbal aromas concentrated. This is a drink-now bottle. Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc is best within a couple of years of release, while its fruit and acidity are at their liveliest.