winequizThis varietal isn’t usually thought of as rich and powerful, but one whiff of this example and you’re surrounded by a perfume cloud of ripe grapefruit and lime. The mouthfeel is sleek, sure. But a big, delicious wave of citrus flavors (including a punch of kiwi) washes over the palate. Refreshing and satisfying at once. Clean finish, with this grape’s trademark note of gooseberry. Hint: this wine is well-known for its affinity with goat cheese and indeed I loved it, especially with some Spanish “Tres Leches,” made from goat, sheep, and cow milk. Pale in color, with shades of green and gold.

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The giveaway to this quiz comes with the reference to its gooseberry notes. The only varietal well-known for this flavor is sauvignon blanc, the white grape grown widely in the U.S., New Zealand, Chile, and its native region in France, the Loire River Valley (the most popular example being Sancerre). Since great examples of sauvignon blanc come from so many places, the big question is, where is this one from? We can rule out France, since Sancerre is known for being lighter and steelier, with an acidic backbone and telltale notes of fresh-cut grass. Let’s toss out New Zealand, too, since this wine lacks NZ’s trademark zinginess. If the rich profile of this wine said “California” to you, then bingo! And if its freshness said “the most recent vintage available,” then double bingo. It’s a Mason Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2005, which I scored for $13, but usually sells closer to $15.