Recently I hosted a party and needed a few alcoholic beverages for the adults to enjoy. I am not a big drinker but I will have a cocktail or glass of wine on occasion. For the party, I tried to get a variety of drinks to go with different types of appetizers I was serving. One of the wines I chose was Honig Sauvignon Blanc 2006.

I was influenced to purchase this wine based upon its recommended food pairing of going well with spicy Asian food. The lemongrass chicken and coconut curry chicken spring rolls and Indian vegetable samosas needed a nice white wine to accompany them (I also had beer which of course goes well with spicy food). Additionally, the fact that this wine received Food and Wine Magazine's "Best Sauvignon Blanc Under $20" award moved me towards the purchase.

Was it a good choice? You betcha! This white wine is described by the winery as a "[b]right and lively, [] Loire style Sauvignon Blanc with vibrant citrus and tropical flavors and a crisp finish." The vineyard further describes the wine as "[f]resh and zingy, with aromas of ruby grapefruit, mango and papaya, and perfectly balanced citrus and tropical flavors." It has a pleasant bouquet of a complex, mellow fruit mix yet smells neither sweet nor alcoholic. I can definitely detect the papaya.

It is smooth and drinkable, and goes well with the food suggested and also on its own. It does have a crisp finish which to me is refreshing for a white wine.

The grapes used in the making of this wine consist of 97.6% Sauvignon Blanc and 2.4% Semillon, and they were harvested between August 28 – October 10. It was aged 1/3 of the time in neutral wood barrel casks, then finished the remainder of the aging process in stainless steel barrels. To preserve the tropical fruit flavors, the fruit is added in whole clusters, then cold fermented in the steel tanks. This enhances the grapefruit and citrus components of this wine.

This wine comes in a 750ml glass cork topped bottle, with a suggested retail price of $16. I got it a few dollars cheaper at CostPlus World Market. The label is an attractive die-cut scene of lavender colored grapes in a rolling vineyard, and looking through the bottle to the back label, it continues the farm/vineyard look. It is a very attractive and unique bottle.

I also appreciate the fact that this is a homegrown, Napa Valley, California wine. I am proud to support American farm industry and especially our burgeoning wine industry.

This particular wine was very popular at the party and there was nary a drop left. I would definitely consider buying this again to go with similar types of foods.

Recommended: Yes

Year: Non-Vintage
Winery Name: Honig
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Designation: Honig Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Country: USA
State or Region: Napa Valley, California
County or Appellation: USA
Price: 16
Wine Rating Scale: A solid performer