Happy Holidays with Hama Hamas and Mystics

Dec 28, 2011

Hama Hamas, Blue Pools, and a bevy of beautiful whites

Here at The Oyster Guide we decided to ring in the holidays with a wine tasting, pairing six different whites from three different countries with half a dozen different oysters. There were a few duds and a few standouts. The picks of the litter: Screamingly salty Marin Miyagis (from I Love Blue Sea) with a butterscotchy Girard Napa Valley Chardonnay, and wicked briny Mystics with that very same Chard. This is further proof that the old rule about oysters requiring high-acid whites is a bunch of hooey. With very salty oysters from either coast, a rich, full-bodied Chardonnay rounds out the palate and takes away the salt much better. Then again, medium-briny Hama Hamas made a 2011 Crossings Sauvignon Blanc absolutely sing; the watermelon rind of the oysters and grapefruit of the wine both coming to the fore. So sometimes the old rules do apply. Last, Blue Pools (tumbled Hama Hamas) paired with a 2010 Barone Fini Alto Adige, grown high up in the Tyrol, to create an elegant, minerally purity. Yum, and Happy New Year to all. May your 2012 be bristling with bivalves.

Posted in New Discoveries, Oyster Wines