As the summer temperatures rise, it’s time to consider changing our wine-buying strategies. It’s second nature for most of us to adjust the foods we eat as the seasons change, but many forget wines also have a seasonal lure.
Heavy red wines were the ideal matches for stews and low (outside) temperatures but summer’s heat calls for light and refreshing wines.
Coinciding your wine selection with the changing menus of summer isn’t as complicated as it may sound. In warmer weather, we tend to move outside for grilling, throw together simple salads and keep side dishes to minimally prepared fresh fruit and vegetables.
Summer wine selections reflect these changes as well with bubbles, crisp acidic citrus flavors in whites and the strawberry and spice of light-bodied reds.
Fresh and Crisp — Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling
THE VALUE
- 2009 Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc, Chile (about $13 retail)
THE SPLURGE
- 2009 Sbragia Family Vineyards Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc, California (about $20 retail)
Aromatic and Refreshing — Viognier, Gewurztraminer, Semillon, Chardonnay
THE VALUE
- 2009 Pine Ridge Viognier/Chenin Blanc, California (about $14 retail)
THE SPLURGE
- 2007 Olivier Leflaive Chablis Les Deux Rives, France (about $29 retail)
Light and Fruity — Pinot Noir
THE VALUE
- 2008 Silver Ridge Pinot Noir, California (about $9 retail)
THE SPLURGE
- 2008 Villa Maria Estate Private Bin Pinot Noir, New Zealand (about $28 retail)