Red/White Wine Wednesday – Houghton White Classic

Greetings!!  Its Red Wine Wednesday with a twist!  A little awesome added alliteration for your consideration – yes, its a White Wine Wednesday!

I’ve been kinda busy – too busy for wine really – I know, that’s not really an excuse, but there you have it.  I’ve been clearing the garden of the storm damaged trees and fences every weekend for seemingly ages – its all done now, but that’s beer work, not red wine appreciation time.

Anyway, enough waffling – I have a chilled white in a glass waiting for appreciation.

Todays RWWW is Houghtons White ClassicI’ve been to Houghtons Wines before on a work trip – and it was ok.  Not brilliant – I wasn’t thrilled with some of the reds, but I remember the whites were ok.  The winery is just outside Perth in the Swan Valley, which is pretty good wine country – also home to Sandalford Wines where Jay and I went to see The Proclaimers and the B52’s play in the big outdoor venue they have there.

This wine is a crazy mix of all kinds of grapes, – from the website – Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Verdelho, Riesling, Semillon and Muscadelle.  So its a little bit of everything and not much of of any one thing.  That’s good and bad.  Good – its very drinkable – soft, medium dry, fruity, smooth – almost too good and juice like.  The bad – its a bit forgettable.

So, onto the review.

Presentation:  It’s a classic understated bottle.  I’m not sold on the blue stripe, but it’s simple and upmarket.  Plus there’s a little silver ‘winner’ sticker, which is a good sign!

Appearance:   Slightly pale straw white.  Not as clear as a very dry white and not as a yellow as the mediums – which which would be consistent with the mix of grapes!

Aroma/Smell/Bouquet:  Light summer fruit salad with a hint of acidity – lemon and pineapple, mango perhaps.   Not over sweet though – it still maintains the clarity of a dry white.  Zesty and fresh.

Taste:   Summery.  soft, juicy, melon, peach but with a tartness underneath.  Its very drinkable, and despite the fruity burst, it’s not over sweet.

Finish:  It finishes off with a lazy soft melon and leaves the palate clean and ready for the next glass.  A bottle would be easy meat on a summer day with some friends.

Verdict:  Very quaffable, I just wish it had a little more character.

Score:  7/10. Its pretty good – find some and if you’re in the mood for an easy drink, this won’t let you down.