One in every color

Try something new. It’s something we say to children all the time. But what about adults? Don’t we also need to be pushed beyond our gastronomic comfort zones?

If you do nothing else before the summer ends, commit to trying a new wine—not just a different winemaker, but a new varietal. Cabernet drinker? Sleuth out a Barolo or a Pinot Noir. Stuck on Chardonnay? Turn to food-friendly Grüner Veltliner or Sauvignon Blanc. Still scared of rosé? Fear not.

There are too many good wines out there that were born to drink with our endless local bounty and dynamic cooking style. And there are more great places than ever to buy wine and seek advice in Baton Rouge. This month, we return to Matherne’s Supermarket for winning end-of-summer choices from general manager and wine program founder Bill Hounshell.

Rosé of Syrah • 2012 • Rockin’ H Vineyard • Sonoma Coast • $20
There’s been an advance in dry rosé awareness nationwide. Still, local wine sellers like Hounshell are on a mission to convince their customers that this wine, despite its shade, isn’t the sweet white zinfandel experiment of the ’80s. Produced on the Sonoma Coast, the latest vintage of Bouchaine’s Syrah Rosé is getting a lot of play for its full-bodied and complex appeal. Look for notes of grapefruit, watermelon and strawberry and good acidity. It pairs well with burgers, barbecue, spicy foods and sturdy summer salads.

Sauvignon Blanc • 2011 • Block House Vineyard • Napa Valley-Yountville • $14
One of two of Gauthier’s Sauvignon Blancs, this selection is produced from grapes grown on the sustainably farmed Block House Vineyard. The wine is aged not in stainless steel, but in neutral oak, which imparts nice acidity and a soft texture. It’s slightly herbaceous with hints of tropical fruit and citrus. Ridiculously pairable, this wine is a great selection for afternoon luncheons or evenings outside.

Oregon/California • 2011 • $15
BNA Wine Group’s well-priced Bandwagon Pinot Noirs have earned respect for their taste and value, and the 2011 vintage is no exception. Here, the winemakers blend juice from the Willamette Valley of Oregon and from the Arroyo Seco, a small, respected winegrowing region near Monterey, Calif., to produce a complex wine at an affordable price. Excellent acidity and good fruit make it a nice match for a ribeye and blue cheese salad, grilled salmon, or my favorite, a pork chop sandwich with fresh herbs, pepper jelly and aioli on toasted brioche.