From the Valle Central Beneath Andes to Montclair Anakena Sauvignon Blanc

What a world we live in. In minutes I can visit one of my many favorite wine stores and bring home a beautiful piece of South America.

Here's an example, a really really great Sauvignon Blanc from Chile that I found in nearby River Edge New Jersey, from Anakena Vineyard in majestic Valle Central.

Paired this wine with two delicious meals.

For dinner we had our American version of the cuisine of India, put together with local ingredients from Trader Joe's and Kings. Sauteed chicken breast and roasted cauliflower with Biryanni Rice, an array of condiments complete the dish. Certainly not nearly as good as what you would find at Spice Grill or Brick Lane, but for a quick weeknight dinner and with the wine, SPECTACULAR.

I love the way a nice Sauvignon Blanc like this one with bright white peach, pineapple and citrus flavors goes with the intense flavors of Indian cuisine.

Two days later, I had this wine again with a tasty omlette I made for lunch. The tight screw cap kept the wine pretty fresh.

Here I made the eggs with chives and grated Coatal English Cheddar Cheese, corn bread, avacado and roasted garlic salsa accompanied.

The name of the wine comes is after Anakena which is a white coral sand beach in on Rapa Nui, Easter Island. It is said in local legend of the Tangata Manu (bird-man) that the  Easter Island seagull, or Manu Tara, hid its precious egg in a secret hideaway, or Anakena. It seems that there was a contest each year where the bravest islanders swam in search of the egg. The one who found it and brought it safely to Rapa Nui was given the title of birdman, Tangata Manu, and was rewarded with great honour and fortune. I am glad I was able to get my treasure of Anakena with a little less effort.

According to island oral traditions, Anakena was the landing place of Hotu Matu'a, a Polynesian chief who led a two canoe settlement party here and founded the first settlement on Rapa Nui.

This is a perfect warm weather wine.

The press says "Crisp, Mango, Lemon, Light-bodied

Chile- An intensely aromatic wine with flavors of gooseberry, mango and lemon. Ripe fruits and crisp acidity combine to give a wonderfully clean and well-structured finish. Fresh; perfect with shellfish and lighter fare." Wine Spectator 2010 Best Value

Anakena Wines