With the temperature swinging drastically over the last couple of weeks my mind is conjuring images of summer and the upcoming boating trips we will be planning. Half the fun is choosing which wines we will bring aboard for our voyages and sip while enjoying warm breezes and breathtaking sunsets. If we love a white or rosé wine we always refer to it as a “good boating” wine. Clos Du Val Ariadne 2010 is definitely a good fit for our term. We had the pleasure of visiting Clos Du Val during our Napa trip and were so impressed with the quality and consistency of their wines that we joined their Joy wine club. Every quarter we receive two bottles and they all have been delicious!
I haven’t been drinking a lot of white as I tend to save them for warmer evenings but this Ariadne is the exception to my rule. This creamy white is a blend of 68% Sémillon and 32% Sauvignon Blanc grapes and is a pale straw color in the glass. I get a slightly floral aroma and citrus flavor with a hint of oakiness. It has great acid and is slightly sweet on the finish making it a good choice for food with bold flavors. We paired ours with snacks of blue cheese, summer sausage, and garlic stuffed olives. Clos Du Val Ariadne is 13.5% alcohol and can be purchased online via www.closduval.com for less than $20 per bottle.