What Carolyn Pours: Beyond Sauvignon Blanc and The Magic of CMS

Hedges Family Wines CMS Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing reminder that Washington State produces some of the country's best value white wines from the Columbia Valley appellation. This is due to its unique combination of climate, soils and sunshine. The warm sunny days and cool nights allow the grapes to fully ripen while still preserving great acidity, which is essential for a well crafted sauvignon blanc. 

It's interesting to note that over 99% of Washington's wine acreage is planted in the Columbia Valley. The Valley itself lies in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountain range and its soils are defined by the Missoula Floods, a series of cataclysmic events that occurred over 15,000 years ago. Most vineyards lie below the historic floodwaters, and the variations across the basin provide a diversity of soil types.

The back label of this wine reminds us to look for wines that display the words "produced and bottled" by the winery. This refers to a government legality which can only be used if a minimum of 75% is made at the address on the label, as opposed to the "cellared by or vinted by" which means the wine is made and assembled elsewhere. In this case, the wine is made in the Columbia Valley of Washington.

Bright and expressive, it opens with inviting aromas of lemon zest, lemongrass, white peach, ripe pear, and a hint of fresh-cut grass which I love in a sauvignon blanc. The CMS on the label stands for the fact that a small amount of chardonnay and marsanne are blended into this wine which softens the edges, lending a creamy texture that carries through to a smooth finish with touches of lemon custard and almond. The result is a sauvignon blanc that is both vibrant and surprisingly rounded. On the palate, the wine is crisp and lively, with mouthwatering acidity balancing flavors of citrus, green apple, gooseberry and tropical fruit. 

This is an easy wine to enjoy on a warm afternoon but has enough character to stand alongside food. Pair it with oysters, grilled shrimp, fresh goat cheese, herb-roasted chicken, or a summer salad with citrus vinaigrette. I recently paired it with fish tacos and it was really tasty. Affordable, versatile, and full of personality, Hedges Family Wines CMS Sauvignon Blanc delivers exceptional quality for the price and is a bottle worth keeping chilled and ready to pour. I picked this bottle up at the Port Townsend Co-op for under $17. Go grab some for your fridge. You will thank me later.