56 M AY 2019
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2018 SIGALAS SANTORINI
ASSYRTIKO ($38)
On the island of Santorini,
native Greek Assyrtiko vines are
trained into knee-high basket
shapes to resist the constant
wind off the Aegean. The
lemony, stony 2018 vintage
from Sigalas is a clear example
of why that effort is worthwhile.
2017 COMPAÑÍA DE VINOS
DEL ATLÁNTICO NORTICO
ALVARINHO ($16)
Alvarinho is the Portuguese
name for the zesty grape known
in Spain as Albariño. This
excellent value comes from
vineyards along the south side
of the Minho river, which runs
along the northern border
between Portugal and Spain.
2017 POGGIO AL TESORO
SOLOSOLE ($25)
Vermentino’s fresh flavors and
almondy finish make it a perfect
wine for linguine with clams or
any other shellfish pasta.
Poggio al Tesoro’s flinty
bottling, with its apricot-and-
white-flowers character, hails
from the Tuscan coast.
2017 CLOS STE
MAGDELEINE CASSIS ($35)
Forget the liqueur made from
black currant of the same
name. Cassis in this case is a
tiny, gorgeous wine region
perched above the Provençal
coast. This bottling is a bench-
mark: Honeysuckle and lemon
notes ride on fine acidity,
ending saline and crisp.
A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL there’s nothing more crisp and
enlivening than a cool ocean breeze; as it happens, grapes feel
exactly the same way. White wines from vineyards close to the
ocean seem to have a hint of seaside freshness: bright acidity,
an oyster shell–like minerality, the saline hint of sea spray.
How to find them? Just head to the coast. Tuscany or Chile,
Portugal or Provence—take your pick. And these bottles are
also perfect with the vibrant green vegetables of spring, from
fresh lettuces to sautéed sugar snaps to, well, you name it.
Seaside Whites 10 great coastal
wines to try this spring by Ray Isle
WHAT TO DRINK NOW
