Bonny Doon Vineyard
Vinho Grinho
2009
Current price: about $20 (as club members we paid $17)
Made from 56% Portuguese loureiro grapes and 44% Spanish albariño, this wine bears an Iberian mien. Its name is a send-up of the region's vinho verde, but with a decidedly Californian slant, and the grapes are biodynamic, from the Ca' del Solo vineyard in Monterey.
Clear and pale gold, it's lavishly aromatic, with notes of spring flowers—daffodil, strawberry, and blackberry—plus orange blossom and thyme. On the palate it's bright and cleansing, with a citrusy edge and more green herbs. It's bracingly acidic, with a long slow finish.
It would be brilliant with seafood, though we enjoyed it with pork tenderloin seared with fresh thyme and rosemary, the wine's vivid freshness a delightful complement to the sweet rare meat and pungent herbs.
A mouthful of spring sunshine. Delicious.
