You can cool down the March Madness frenzy in the nicest way possible, with fresh, value-driven South African white wines. First, a little charmer called Millstream ($10), a chenin blanc of real character and pizzazz. At this price, you could buy a case of it. Not quite as much body as the perennially great Quails’ Gate chenin, this wine is extremely food-friendly, dry, aromatic, with a crisp finish that means you could simply sip on it all game long.
The Wolftrap ($13.50) white is a blend of chenin blanc, viognier, and grenache blanc, making it reminiscent of certain Southern France bottlings. But this has a grassy, herbal construction, with plenty of length and surprising depth at that price. The Wolftrap made its punch in this market with its syrah-mourvedre-viognier red blend, and this white makes a wonderful companion. Almost any seafood dish would be a happy accompaniment. How about the white for the first half, red for the second half, of your next Narcos viewing session?
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