2006 Jean-Paul Picard Sancerre Loire Valley France. Beekman, Glen Rock, $20.99. Sauvignon Blanc 100%; 12.5% alcohol.
Pale yellow color, clear hue, lovely aromas and tastes of orange fruit, fresh grass and mineral notes, crisp acidity, long finish with citrus and mineral notes, very refreshing. No EGA. 4*.
I had this wine two weeks ago, and tried it again two nights ago, with very similar reactions. It worked well with a simple sweet potato soufflé, where the acidity added a very interesting note.
I use the basic Cooks recipe, with several modifications to cut down on sweetness. The "secret" -- cook the sweet potatoes on a very low heat for a long time before mashing them -- I taste from time to time to get the desired level of sweetness. [I've read somewhere that slow heating of sweet potatoes makes them much sweeter and it seems to be true.]
Here's the basic recipe; bracketed amounts reduced or eliminated in my cooking:
3 c. mashed sweet potatoes
[1/2 tsp. salt]
[1/3] stick butter
1 tsp. vanilla
[1 c. sugar] [sugar is rarely necessary, and then sparingly]
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk
Mix all ingredients together and pour into greased baking dish. Add topping.
TOPPING:
[1 c.] brown sugar [half a cup maxiumu]
1 c. chopped nuts
1/3 c. flour
1/3 stick butter
Melt butter and mix all ingredients thoroughly and sprinkle over souffle. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes.