As you've probably heard, Christopher Tracy, winemaker at Channing Daughters Winery, is a
trained chef. I think that many of his wines clearly reflect that background. They are usually terrific with food and display his affinity for mixing and combining elements to
create flavors that are more than the sum of their parts. His white blends--inspired by those from Northern Italy--are among my favorites.
Take his 2006 Vino Bianco ($30) a unique-to-Long Island blend of 27% Tocai Friulano, 26% sauvignon blanc, 22% pinot grigio, 19% Dijon clone of chardonnay and 6% Musque clone of chardonnay. It is a wine inspired by the "Super Friulian" whites of Northeast Italy. By combining a variety of grapes from both the North and South Fork of Long Island, Tracy has crafted a full flavored, impeccably balanced white.
The nose is ripe with peaches, apricots, pineapples and citrus fruits accented by subtle baking spice and a little minerality. Medium bodied but somehow delicate, lively and flavorful all at the same time, pear, peach and tropical fruit flavor blend here with nice spice notes and just the slightest tingle of acidity.
Tracy has a clear signature and style, and this wine is easily recognizable as one of his creations.
Grape(s): Tocai Friulano (27%), sauvignon blanc (26%), pinot grigio ($22), Dijon clone of chardonnay (%19) and Musque clone of chardonnay (6%)
Producer: Channing Daughters Winery
AVA: Long Island
Price: $30
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