by Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
Summer heat is here. Although full-bodied red wines are some of my favorites, they can be a bit heavy during the hot summer months. Many of us are looking for lighter and more refreshing wines by June or July. Thankfully there are lots of options available. My goal is to help you explore a few of the stellar wines that we have on our shelves at the Co-op. You never can tell when you might find your next favorite!
When I think about the colder months, red wines come to mind with their intensely deep flavors. These hearty wines are perfect for the lower temperatures. Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbecs, Merlots, Syrahs, Zinfandels all fit nicely into this group. Though some of these varietals are considered medium-bodied by the experts, they are not necessarily ideal summer beverages.
So which wine varietals are good choices for the hotter days of July or August? My recommendations would include white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Chardonnay, and Prosecco. I also would add the lighter-bodied red Pinot Noirs, and the Rosés, which are fabulous for this time of year! Many people enjoy white wines in the summer because they tend to be sweeter than dry red wines. For example, a Pinot Grigio is sweet and light, quite the opposite of a dry, thick California Cabernet.
Where Does All the Flavor Come From?
There are many different varieties of wine grapes, and each has unique characteristics. The flavor notes that come through when you take a sip of wine are the result of several factors: the soil the grapes are grown in, the methods used to ferment these grapes after harvest, the expertise of the vintners when creating the wine, and the way the wine is aged and for how long. Some wines are aged in wooden barrels, often oak, while other vintners use stainless steel tanks. The length of time the wine is aged can vary from a few weeks to several years.
Shorter aging periods result in a fresh and fruity wine. Longer aging is perfect for red wines that need more time to soften their flavor profiles. The intensity of the tannins, which are bitter to taste, does a disservice to the true flavor of these wines, and so it is important to let them mellow with age.
Tasting Notes on Some of My Favorites
The wines I am recommending here are at all of our stores. They represent some of the best and most popular Summer wines in my opinion, each less than $15. I hope you have a chance to give them a try this season, because I think you will enjoy them all!
Veramonte Pinot Noir
Price: $11.99
Size: 25.36 fl oz
Wine Varietal: Pinot Noir
Country of Origin: Chile
Tasting Notes: Red cherries and strawberries
Eight months in French oak barrels. Made with organic grapes.
Pratsch Rose
Price: $13.99
Size: 25.36 fl oz
Wine Varietals: 90% Zweigelt, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Pinot Noir.
Country of Origin: Austria
Tasting Notes: Strawberry, watermelon Made with organic grapes.
Jean de Roze Rose
Price: $8.49
Size: 25.36 fl oz
Wine Varietal: Cinsault
Country of Origin: France
Tasting Notes: Watermelon, Strawberry
Underwood Rose Bubbles
Price: $6.99
Size: 12.68 fl oz
Wine Varietals: 88% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay, and 2% Pinot Gris
Country of Origin: Oregon, USA
Tasting Notes: Strawberry, tart cherry, watermelon
Gran Passione Prosecco
Price: $13.99
Size: 25.36 fl oz
Wine Varietal: Glera
Country of Origin: Italy
Tasting Notes: Apple, peach with some floral notes
Fermented in steel tanks.
Iris Vineyards Pinot Gris
Price: $14.99
Size: 25.36 fl oz
Wine Varietal: Pinot Gris
Country of Origin: Oregon, USA
Tasting Notes: Citrus and pear
Fermented in stainless steel.
Excelsior Chardonnay
Price: $8.99
Size: 25.36 fl oz
Wine Varietal: Chardonnay
Country of Origin: South Africa
Tasting Notes: Hints of lemon, lime and peach
Cold-fermented for 15 days. About 25% of it was fermented in new French oak barrels.
Riff Pinot Grigio
Price: $11.99
Size: 25.36 fl oz
Wine Varietal: Pinot Grigio
Country of Origin: Italy
Tasting Notes: Apple, citrus, with hints of earthy mineral
Four months in stainless steel.
Starborough Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $12.99
Size: 25.36 fl oz
Wine Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Tasting Notes: Guava, kiwi, citrus
Gazela Vinho Verde
Price: $7.99
Size: 25.36 fl oz
Wine Varietals: 40% Loureiro, 30% Pedernã, 15% Trajadura, 15% Azal
Country of Origin: Portugal
Tasting Notes: Green apple, citrus, lemongrass