Welcome back to our celebration of warm-weather wines where we will highlight some can’t-miss wines that will super charge your summer fun. As a bonus, I’ll pass along some pro tips that will allow you to confidently guide your own exploration of summer sippers.
Read Part I of Summer Wines
Read Lou’s columns on local wine shops & experts
Let’s start with three easy tips that pros use as guideposts on the warm-weather wine road.
Let your environment be your guide, meaning that if you are out in the elements on a really hot day, don’t be afraid of truly cold and frosty.
Cool is the rule | Throw out the stuffy, old textbook here and serve your vino extra chilled. Whether you are enjoying whites, reds, pinks or bubbles, they will all taste better and more refreshing when served cooler than normal. How chill? Let your environment be your guide, meaning that if you are out in the elements on a really hot day, don’t be afraid of truly cold and frosty. Conversely, even if it is scorching outside but you are in a climate-controlled environment throttle back a little bit on the chill factor.
Light and lively carries the day | Again, regardless of grape type, shoot for wines that are lighter of body and full of energy. Look for wines that come from cooler climates, usually from higher latitudes or coastal or mountain areas and regions known for making wines in a lighter style. The best bets are wine regions that combine climate and winemaking style. Examples include Alto Adige in northeast Italy, California’s true Sonoma Coast or western Central Coast valleys, Germany, Austria and New Zealand.
I highly suggest consulting a trusted wine purveyor because this can be tricky stuff. Our series of articles on local experts can be a great resource your wine explorations.
Have an adventure | Ever had a Kerner from the Suditrol, a Gruner-Veltliner from the Alps or a Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley? Well, here is your most delicious license to do so forthwith.
For other can’t-miss summer wine suggestions, I am going to stay on the wallet-friendly side because there are so many good value options and, with one exception, widely available. Let’s start with bubbles where super-chilled DOCG-labelled Prosecco, a Spanish Cava or Rosato or a non-vintage North Coast California Sparkler are all good choices. Vinho Verdes from Portugal or French Muscadets have slight fizz and also bring light body and great energy.
On the red side, you might call me crazy, but I believe you cannot beat a relatively low-alcohol Zinfandel or a Malbec from Patagonia, lightly chilled with barbecue of any type. More common chillable reds are unoaked Gamay, Pinot Noirs from Sancerre and, if you can find one, a single variety Cinsault.
Who said there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues?
