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07/11/2001 Archived Entry: "Wine Buy: Buena Vista Sauvignon Blanc"

Buena Vista Sauvignon Blanc 2000 comes from the oldest vineyard in California, said to have been started in 1857 by a legendary figure in California wine, Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian who approached the governor of California with the idea of transporting grape vines into the state from Europe. Buena Vista now encompasses 1,360 acres in Sonoma that produce 500,000 cases of wine a year. From that you should deduce that there is so much Buena Vista wine that it is a very widely available label. This week’s wine buy is not our typical esoteric bottling. It should be everywhere.

The Buena Vista Sauvignon Blanc is light, tart, and aromatic. Carol Berman describes it as having the smell of citrus with a hint of honeysuckle. To me, the bouquet was full of green apple. All of these are typical California Sauvignon Blanc characteristics. We both agreed it is very refreshing, especially when well, if not deeply chilled.

The price is a very attractive $7.99, and it should be perfect accompaniment to an entrée salad, of which we eat many during the summer. It would also be perfect served with light cooked dishes, such as grilled chicken breast or fish. If you like tart wine, it’s a good wine to drink on its own, too, without food.