Summer Wine Drinking

Summer time is a great opportunity to catch up with friends, enjoy time with family… and just relax.  Fewer times in the year do we get as many opportunities to enjoy as much Leisure, as we do during summer days.

Here are some fun summer drinking suggestions for all you Wine Enthusiasts:

• Spanish Cava, the Traditional Method Sparkling Wine original to the Pendes Region on the Mediterranean Coast, has a very Refreshing Acidity.

Its long Streams of Small Bubbles, Yeast Aromas and Crisp Finish, make this wine choice a perfect pool-side and patio drink.

You can mix Cava with Fresh Peach Juice, or add Fresh Raspberries, and turn your Cava into a Chic Flute-Served Cocktail.

• The list for Dry Rosé Wines has really grown in recent years.  Countries from the New World are now experimenting with Rosé Wines made from Shiraz, Malbec or Pinot Noir that can hold their own while standing next to wonderful Old World Rosé Wines made from Grenache, Gamay or Sangiovese. The list of options is plentiful & fun!

All these wines are great summer options if you want to drink a Light Wine without the Heavy Tannins, yet with Complex Aromas and far-from-sweet.

• Lighter Red Wines, such as Pinot Noir, or Fascinating French Appellation Beaujolais-Villages, are magnificent choices for Summer Nights.  You can pair them with Fresh Summer Recipes, or just sip and enjoy them by themselves.

Pinot Noir´s thin skin can harbor some fascinating Red Cherry, Raspberry and Earth Aromas.  This Burgundy native Grape is rarely blended for still wine, yet when it is combined with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, makes the traditional recipe for Champagne (not too shabby huh?).   Great Parings could include a Pineapple Glazed Ham or a Ginger & Red Berry Reduction on Crab Cakes. Pinot Noir from Oregon State, New Zealand, and cooler regions of California State and Australia, are your best choices for a top-notch sample.

When Gamay is grown on Clay over Granite French Soil, it can produce uniquely fresh, vividly fruity and light Beaujolais.  This Southern Burgundy appellation wine is an excellent summer drink choice as well! - And a fascinating choice if you wish to expand your wine knowledge.

Enjoy …