American whites – 2020

Regular members may remember a post last year about some reviews I did whilst in Florida, reviewing some American white wines. I was visiting my mother who spends 3-4 months of the winter months ‘snowbirding’ in sunny Florida. You can read those reviews here.

Well I was back again, at the end of February and early March. I was thinking of calling this post ‘More American whites’. But, as I am planning to go there again next winter for one to two weeks, I am naming these posts by the year. I also bought and reviewed some red wines. I will do a separate post on those wines soon. This month will just review the white wines that were purchased at Aldi. All reviews done by me, and my mother, Ellen.

Before the reviews, a few quick points. Normally I have images taken on my phone. However after taking photos, my screen broke. Unable to use it until I get it fixed, I managed to get a reasonably priced second hand one to put my SIM card into. Thanks to Mobile Source for helping me out. If you are in the Boca Raton area, and need urgent help with your phone, I highly recommend them. Images used here are from Aldi’s website. Not sure what the legality of using them are. I may have to take them down if they make a legal request to do so. (Unlikely but if so, I should have my phone repaired and back by then, and can put in my photos.)

Secondly, keep healthy. I was fortunate in that I flew back to the UK just before travel restrictions came in. My mother has not been so lucky. She cannot get back home to France as planned. Now hoping for a May trip back, but not overly optimistic. And I do not know when I can get over to Boulogne again. I have a feeling in may not be until around September. I will provide updates on all of this in the coming months.

Now onto the wines.

Rolling Mist Sauvignon Blanc

• Rolling Mist
• Californian Sauvignon Blanc
• Around $7 at Aldi

Aroma: A very pleasant fruity aroma. Quite subtle, not too overpowering.

Taste: A bit sharp, a nice body but slightly bitter. Still good.

Paul

Aroma: Fresh

Taste: A little bit biting, but still quite pleasant. Better as the meal went on.

Ellen

We ate with ribs, broccoli and sweet potato, but only had half a bottle. We had the other half the following night, and both thought that it tasted better then.

Winking Owl Sauvignon Blanc

• Winking Owl
• Californian Sauvignon Blanc
• Around $2.99 at Aldi

Aroma: Not much, or maybe just very subtle and delicate: What there is nice. Slight apple scents.

Taste: Not as sharp as the previous. Easier to drink but a bit bland.

Paul

Aroma: Light and fresh.

Taste: Pleasant, Not as sharp as previous one.. Light and fresh, would go well with fish. Does not overwhelm the food. I have bought this before and think it good value.

Ellen

Winking Owl Pinot Grigio

• Winking Owl
• Californian Pinot Grigio
• Around $2.99 at Aldi

Aroma: Again a very mile aroma. Or delicate or subtle.

Taste: As with the previous wine (Winking Owl Sauvignon Blanc), light and pleasant. But less bland and more body.

Paul

Aroma: Very little aroma, light and mild.

Taste: A bit more flavour than previous. I prefer this one.

Ellen

Summary

For value, the Winking Owl wines are very hard to beat. If you were invited to a BBQ on a sunny afternoon, and offered a chilled glass of one of these two wines to enjoy with some fresh salad and cooked chicken/burgers/sausages, you would be impressed and would compliment the host for providing a nice, refreshing and enjoyable wine. However they are just a bit bland if you are wanting something with more body. For example if you were eating a more flavoursome evening meal.

Note that they are only available at the listed price at Aldi. And prices may vary in different states in the US. These were bought in Delray Beach, Florida.

The Rolling Mist Sauvignon Blanc did have a bit more body compared to the Winking Owl one. And I would choose this Sauvignon Blanc for the ‘more flavoursome evening meal’. It was more expensive and not sure if it was that much better. It was a bit sharp and some may prefer the other lighter wines, especially if drinking late afternoon or early evening.Having been a bit spoiled by tasting the even more expensive New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs by Villa Maria, and at Body Holiday wine shop, I do find the cheaper ones don’t compare. As with Bordeaux and Merlots red wines, you do need to go up in price for something good.

Our favourite was the Pinot Grigio. Of the two Winking Owl wines, both Ellen and I preferred this. Despite very little aroma, for taste it had both freshness and some more body and flavour. I will definitely buy this next time I am in Florida.