Summer is probably everyone's favorite time of year: a time to gather with friends, cook up some treats, and open some wine. Now that we are done using our heavy winter sweaters and eating heavy winter food, I am excited to tell you about some wines that will match your summer picnics, cocktail parties, BBQ's and lazy afternoons.
As you know, I love to match wines with moods and situations. I also enjoy telling you about great values I find. I have some terrific good-value wines that I think you'll love.
For your traditional picnic meal of potato salad, fried chicken, fresh fruit, a wonderful sparkling wine is exactly what you need. You may not think about using something sparkling for anything other than celebrations. But they are a fantastic dinner wine. They refresh your palate after every creamy and crunchy bite.
Another wine to consider is Riesling wine. This is a dry, clean wine with a slight effervescence that has the same refreshing effect:
-Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley About $15.99
-Taittinger Brut La Francaise NV About $32.00 ( a favorite of mine)
-Von Scheinitz Estate Slatestone Riesling About $14.00
For those lazy evenings watching the setting sun with your friends, try something soft and cool. Try some wines that have been a big hits at my recent seminars:
-Maculan Pinot y Toi About $12.00 It is a Blend of Pinot Grigio, Tokay and Pinot Blanc. Just lovely.
-Hogue Pinot Grigio About $10.00 (A great value and very fresh and fruity. And it has a screw cap which makes it so easy!)
For those BBQ's you might be planning, you'll need some big wines to go with all those sauces and grilling. Here is where the big California Chardonnay's do quite well. And don't forget to serve the great American Zinfandel on your Fourth of July BBQ.( Yes you wine snobs, we all know it originated hundreds of years ago from Croatia. But we have adopted it here in America as ours.) It is bold, full bodied, and fabulous!
-R Collection from Raymond Vineyard's About $13.00 (this is a new series of wine from Raymond and it is terrific.)
-Lalonis Zinfandel About $16.00 Luscious and wonderful. And it is Organic too! Look for the Ladybugs on the label.
Have a great summer! Cheers!
Sandra
