Pinot Blanc

This was interesting and unique.  It has a deep golden/orange hue to it.  I wondered if it was oxidized, but got no hint of that.  Perhaps they left the juice in contact with the red grape skins.  It is made from six varietals; Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier and Arbane which is how Champagne was traditionally made in the 1800's.  The nose is tight and never offered up a lot.  Some baked apples, a bit of yeast.  The palate, however, was explosive.  It is slightly sweet and I was surprised to see the label said Brut.  Mandarin oranges with a bit of ginger. 

Produced at Cave Vinicole de Kientzheim-Kaysersberg.    The nose has minerals and slight peaches.  On the palate, there are more peaches but underlying minerality.  Slightly oily texture.  Nice acidity.  Will work with lighter and medium bodied foods and on its own.  Retails for $17 which is a nice value.  

Light golden in color.  The nose is mild with pears and melons.  On the palate, there is a slight diesel note but also some slight fruit.  It has a round texture, but lacks much acidity or intensity.  It is enjoyable, but leaves one wanting for a bit more.  Some of that is the varietal but still.  $19 retail.  A very solid wine.  Drink now this may have been better a year ago.  

10% Gewurztraminer, 30% Pinot Blanc, 30% Pinot Gris, 30% Riesling.  This is made in the traditional method.  It does not appear to be labelled as Cremant.  Light silvery/yellow/white/gold in color.  Very pale.  A nice head of medium sized bubbles.  The nose is nice with a bit of seltzer and slight lemon.  On the palate, this has slight lime peel with some juniper berry (Gin) and other herbals.  Not a lot of depth but very refreshing.  Slightly short on the finish.  This is easy drinking sparkling wine.  Dry and very food friendly.  At $16, this is a nice value.  

Kind of cool drinking a wine from Texas.  Light golden in color.  The nose has a bit of a sweet scent to it along with minerals and slight petrol.  At first I thought it was a Riesling.  On the palate, this is sweet.  A bit disjointed but not bad.  It is sweet with some minerals and a candied lemon note to it.  Worked pretty well with a salad.  I believe it cost around $20 which is fine for a fun wine and something different.  While I am not familiar with this winery or wine, I suspect it was better a year or two ago.  

Light golden in color.  On the nose, this has nice red apples and slight peach.  Medium bodied.  Slightly sweet.  It has a nice minerality with a touch of apples on the palate.  Clen finish.