Welcome aboard the very first edition of Wine Down Wednesdays, a weekly sip and snack session from The Galley Club. We’re Max and Theresa, one-time fine dining pros turned boat-loving Dockwa crew, and we’re here to make wine a little more approachable and a lot more fun, especially for life dockside.
Each week, we’ll pop open a bottle that’s perfect for warm-weather cruising, offer a simple but elegant pairing you can throw together on your boat or at your marina, and talk through what makes each wine a worthy addition to your galley bar.
Blend: 75% Sauvignon Blanc, 23% Sémillon, 2% Muscadelle
Region: Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France
Let’s set the scene: sun overhead, wind on your shoulders, and the first crisp sip of this stunning Bordeaux Blanc. This bottle immediately charmed us with its aromas of lemon, lime, ripe peach, apricot, and golden pear. The palate mirrors the nose with a lovely high acidity that keeps things fresh, and a round mouthfeel that gives it just enough weight to stand up to richer flavors, without ever feeling heavy.
For Sauvignon Blanc lovers, this wine hits the mark. But it also might surprise those who’ve written off the varietal after a few too many grassy or bell-peppery bottles from elsewhere. There’s none of that here, just orchard fruit, ripe citrus, and summer-ready refreshment. If you love Pinot Grigio or dry Riesling, this one is squarely in your wheelhouse.
We kept it simple and snackable with a spread of fresh goat cheese, buckwheat crackers, and apricot jam. The tang of the chèvre, the nuttiness of the cracker, and the sweet stone fruit all elevate the wine’s best qualities, especially that creamy texture and acidity.
We chose Château Gounin for this week’s wine, but don’t sweat it if you can’t find that exact label. Any dry white Bordeaux, especially one with a Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon blend, is going to hit similar notes: crisp, citrusy, and summer-ready. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s finding something that’s refreshing, food-friendly, and easy to enjoy after a day on the water.
That’s exactly what The Galley Club is all about: great food and drinks that bring people together, no matter where you are on the water.
Cheers to the first of many Wine Down Wednesdays. See you next week for another bottle, another bite, and more stories from life afloat.
— Max & Theresa