I’m about to be auctioned off — not for a date (these bidders wouldn’t be interested in me), but for a wine class. The auctioneer is the Lesbian Herstory Archives (LHA), a Park Slope museum and community organization. The theme of the course is Wines by Women.
There are more female vintners in the limelight now than ever. They’re making excellent wines all over the world, but since I want to start this tasting close to home, I’ve decided to open with Bouké White, a blend of Chardonnay (41%), Gewürztraminer (21%), Pinot Gris (20%), and Sauvignon Blanc (18%) by Lisa Donneson, owner of Bouké Wines, who lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters.
The grapes, which Donneson sources from the North Fork of Long Island and the Finger Lakes, are fermented separately before blending. They see no malolactic fermentation and are aged 3 months in stainless steel, making for a clean wine with great fruit and vibrant acid. Bouké White is pale yellow, flecked gold in color, with notes of citrus and white flowers on the nose. The wine is medium to full-bodied, but its acidity keeps it lively and balanced. First contact is bright, with a summer honey note giving way to flavors of Bosc pear, green melon, and cantaloupe. The blending is expertly done, the varietals play together nicely, and the end product — a wine this good at this low a price — is a rare and beautiful thing. I’d pair Bouké White with lemon chicken, orange salad, or a fruit and cheese platter.
Visit Bouké Wines online at http://www.boukewines.com/
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