Radient

White BlendWhite WinesTrader JoesTJ Tuesday
Written By Catherine Courtney

Radient

GRAPES: Chenin Blanc (80%) Viognier (20%)

VINTAGE: 2019

REGION: Napa Valley, California

ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 12.5%

PRICE: $7.99

Before we move on to Rosé wines in our Drink the Rainbow series, I wanted to sample one final white blend. If you recall, we tasted a white blend from France last week and I was less than impressed. I was hoping for something a bit bolder with a little depth, something that would wow me.

During my last visit to Trader Joe’s, I picked up a bottle of Radient, a white blend produced in Napa Valley, California by Carpathian Vineyards. This was a new arrival in Nashville, so of course, I had to snag a bottle and try it out.

Let’s be honest, there are NOT many details when it comes to wines from Trader Joe’s. On the rare occurrence that there’s a vineyard listed, I immediately google it to get all the details. In true form, I began to research Carpathian Vineyards and came up with very little information. Aside from their focus on the Stag’s Leap District and an overview of the prized red blend, Tatra Terrace (which had an $84.00 price point btw), I came up with nothing on Radient.

What do you do when you run into a dead-end? Pour yourself a glass and start sipping!

TASTING NOTES:

  • Regular cork

  • Pale golden hue

  • Crisp, fresh and definitely on the drier side

  • Tree fruit flavors throughout, think notes of pear and apple

  • Honeysuckle vibes

  • Medium body and acidity

Verdict:  Trader Joe’s tasting notes state that this would be a “great choice with chicken, fish, pasta and cream sauces.” While I didn’t pair this wine with any food, I was blown away. This is what I was looking for last week, something flavorful and complex without being overbearing and boring. To be honest, this has been one of my favorite white wines I’ve sampled from Trader Joe’s all year. It was absolutely RADIANT!

Until Next Time!

Catherine Courtney

Welcome to Blonde Voyage Nashville!

I am so excited to finally see this dream become a reality.  Between the destination restaurants, the copious amount of food photos and insanely crazy travel stories, I have decided to share my journey. 

My name is Catherine Courtney and I am a Nashville native with a penchant for culinary creativity and epic travel adventures. I'll admit... I also have a slight obsession with handbags.

Two years ago, my life changed completely.  Everything that I knew to be was completely turned upside down.  I quickly realized that time is our greatest commodity and it's not to be taken for granted. I couldn't wait for the perfect time, who knew when that would be.  I needed to take the leap and explore the world on my own.  There were so many places I wanted to go, but where would I start. 

France was always one of those places that I had romanticized.  Wandering the streets of Paris and seeing the Eiffel tower were at the top of my list. Without hesitation, I booked a two week trip to the French Rivera and Paris.  It was a journey of a lifetime.  Not only were amazing friendships cultivated, but it was on that trip that i discovered that food and travel are the embers that that keep my soul on fire. 

It wasn't until I arrived back in Nashville with my passport that I realized I had been bit. Wanderlust had completely taken over.  I already started thinking about where I wanted to go next.  It was then that I decided that it was more important to have camera full of photos and a tattered journal full of stories than anything else. My heart was overflowing.

One of my favorite quotes that resonates is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland:

"Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures...."

Join me as I explore near and far away places, filling my passport full of stamps and satiating my appetite with some of the most amazing cuisine the world has to offer. 

Thanks for reading! 

       

 

 

http://blondevoyagenashville.com
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