Drink up!
By David Setley
Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer season, especially along the Jersey Shore. When you think of summer wines, you likely picture rosés or light white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Although these wines certainly have a place at your summer events, let’s explore some of the red and sparkling wines that also deserve a place on your shopping list.
For anyone who has attended one of my wine events, you know my favorite way to start any occasion is with a cold, crisp welcome wine. Sparkling wines make great summer welcome wines, are produced around the world, and are sold at a variety of prices that fit any budget. You can’t go wrong with a true French Champagne, but for a delicious and more budget-friendly option, consider Cava. Cava is the sparkling wine produced in Spain. If you didn’t know, only Champagnes produced in the Champagne region of France may bear that name; sparkling wines from other countries carry other monikers. Try the Roger Goulart Gran Reserva Cava from the Penedes wine region near Barcelona. Roger Goulart Wineries, founded in 1882, was one of the first wineries in Spain to produce Cava using the traditional method of secondary fermentation. This Gran Reserva has flavors of tree fruit with a lovely, creamy mouthfeel that pairs perfectly with shellfish and cheese platters. The name, Gran Reserva, means this wine has been aged for at least 18 months. If you haven’t tried a Cava wine yet, now is the right time and this is the right wine. It will not disappoint.
For many, summer also means grilling season. Grilled chicken, fish, or vegetables can be overwhelmed by heavy red wines or those with higher tannins. However, lighter- and medium-body reds can do very well with a summer menu. Consider the Sincronia Negra Mesquida Mora from the island of Mallorca in the Balearic Island of Spain. This red blend is comprised of Callet, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Sincronia is dry red with more subtle tannins than you may find in heavier reds. The flavor profile is the fruit of red and black raspberries with just a touch of peppery spice. The label depicts an island theme with a colorful lighthouse and a seabird flying by. Check this one out as a great wine for summer grilling.
A summer red option from France is the Terre Dorees Gamay from the Beaujolais appellation of Morgon. I have written about my love of Gamay wines in previous articles, as it is a varietal that is extremely underrated but worthy of your consideration. There is more to Beaujolais wines than the Thanksgiving Beaujolais Nouveau! The lighter body and acidity of this Morgon Gamay is similar to Pinot Noir, but is a bit smoother and a touch fruitier. The aroma has tones of dark fruit, violets, and soil; the flavor is currents and black raspberries with that distinctive French earthiness. The tannins are relatively light, allowing this wine to pair well with anything from salmon or tuna to chicken, pork, or grilled or roasted vegetables.
Italy also offers great reds for summer, but allow me to suggest a few you may be less familiar with. Sicily, known for its warm Mediterranean climate, produces several outstanding red wines that are perfect for summer. The Calabretta Vino Rosso is a blend of multiple vintages made from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes that are grown on Mount Etna. The flavor is ripe red berries, coffee, and spice. This wine is surprisingly wonderful when lightly chilled. Grab a bottle and “cala cala” (Italian slang for “gulp gulp”)!
The other great red grape of Sicily is the Nero D’Avola. Allumea Wineries blend 70% Nero D’Avola with 30% Merlot to make one of the best pizza/pasta wines you could ever imagine. This dry wine is made with organic grapes and is very reasonably priced. The flavor is a wonderful mix of ripe cherries, red berries, and blueberries with a touch of baking spices and leather. The finish is long and stands up to flavorful dishes, such as chicken parmesan or lasagna, as well as traditional spaghetti and meatballs.
My final recommendations (in this article, anyway!) for summer red wines both come from the Iberian Peninsula. The most widely grown red grape in Spain is Tempranillo. I encourage you to try the Volver Single Vineyard Tempranillo from La Mancha. It is a bold red with very smooth, well-structured tannins and the flavor of dark plums, black cherries, and spices. This wine is the perfect complement for grilled and barbecued dishes. Finally, from Portugal, try the Encantado Ravasqueira Red Blend from the Alentejo region in the far southern area of the country. This wine is a blend of Syrah, Touriga Franca, and Alicante Bouschet. It is an award-winning dark red wine that is well-balanced with the flavors of dark fruit, chocolate, and wonderful earthiness. If you haven’t tried red wines from the Alentejo, make this your first.
I hope this article shows you that there are great red and sparkling wines for you to enjoy in the warm summer months. As always, contact me with any questions at dsetley@passionvines.com, or stop in the Passion Vines store. Until next time, Happy Wining!
David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
