Directions for most joyous use: Download the 1966 Nancy Sinatra/Lee Hazelwood hit, “Summer Wines,” and listen to it while reading this article. “Strawberries, cherries and an angel’s kiss in spring.” Yep, when done right, one of my top two summer sippers, Rosé, really does taste of these things.
Grapes are usually picked at lower ripeness and higher acid levels, which creates the freshness we desire in a warm-weather tipple.
Maybe that criteria set is a little ambiguous, so let’s home in on what makes a wine perfect for the lazy days of summer. How about crisp, refreshing body and flavors for a start. Certainly, we want wine that dances well with summer food — think salads and barbecue and such. Finally, affordability is a must because in a perfect world we are sharing with friends.
For Part I of this feature, we will look at my top two go-to summer stars; in Part II we will branch out into other categories.
We have already established that a good Rosé checks all these boxes, but let’s get more specific as to why. Blush wines are made from a myriad of grapes, which is usually determined by the star varietals of its home terroir. In Provence, Carignan and Grenache are the leads; in Sonoma and Oregon, Pinot Noir is the lead; in Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc; and, well you get the idea. This means the winemakers there know how to work with their hometown grapes, which leads to excellence. In addition, grapes are usually picked at lower ripeness and higher acid levels, which creates the freshness we desire in a warm-weather tipple. The variety of varietals employed in the world of blush wines means we can choose what fits our food matches or just our mood in the moment.
The Pro-Tip here is to lean toward lower alcohol versions because this helps not only with our physical state on a hot day, but also indicates the wine will more likely have the beam of freshness we desire. An excellent example is the DAOU Winery version, which is from the coolest part of Paso Robles, and is created from the classic French Rosé grapes; the bottle is a work of art.
And now let’s get to No. 2 on the can’t-miss list. That would be the lovely and talented Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that has excelled in France and New Zealand for years and has now found its footing in California, as well. With citrus, melon and light herbal notes, a good Sauvignon Blanc should tickle all our light and bright senses. I am highlighting Groth Vineyards & Winery’s Napa version as it not only ticks those boxes and more, but at around $15, it sells for a fraction of its Napa counterparts.
Ask your local wine wizard for his or her recommendations, as well, and make your summer wine wishes come true.
