Summer is a perfect time to drink [lot’s of] wine…but really when isn’t a good time? There’s nothing better than a barbeque with friends outside in the backyard or on the deck when accompanied with wine. Sure, there’s always call for a good mojito or frosty cold beer, but wine can be that magical ingredient to make any good time – great! Whether you’re starting off the hot afternoon with a chilled bottle of white or relaxing through the cool evening with a comforting bottle of red, the versatility of wine will fit perfectly with any summertime situation.
A good summer wine should be uncomplicated, unpretentious, fun and easy to drink. What you don’t want to do is get stressed out picking the perfect wine to go with your summer activity. That’s why we’ve put together this feature, which includes many of the wines that we feel work in all kinds of ideal summer situations. Check back occasionally because we will be updating the content on a regular basis to include not only the wine selections, but also some tips, tricks, and grilling guidelines in order to make your summer sippers that much more enjoyable.
A WINE GUIDE TO GREAT SUMMER SIPPERS
White wine is of course the obvious choice when paired with thoughts of summer, but red and even rosés can be fantastic given the right situation. Here are a few guidelines to follow, or not follow, when choosing the right summer wine:
1. White’s are not the only option for summer. There are a lot of great easy drinking reds that will work just as well given the right opportunity. But, in the end remember to drink what you like however you like it. Who are we to tell you how to enjoy yourself anyway?!?!
2. Cool is the key. When it’s hot outside make sure to give your white wine plenty of time to chill-out. Even reds can stand to be cooled down a little. Wine at room temperature is never pleasant when the temperature of your room is pushing 80 degrees.
3. Forget the “wine rules” of proper food pairing. Unless you feel completely comfortable when pairing wines with food don’t worry about it. Wine is good with anything. Whites don’t have to be paired with fish and reds don’t have to be paired with steak. Spending too much time and effort worrying about the right wine to serve just spoils the mood. Grab a bottle you like to drink and be confident that you made the right choice.
4. “Barbeque Wines” don’t have to be cheap. I get so tired of wine reviewers pointing out that inexpensive wines make for great barbequing. I’m sure they would, but barbeque shouldn’t be the automatic pairing with an inexpensive bottle of wine. Feel free to crack open a $100 bottle of wine around the grill if that’s how you swing…I know your guests will love it!
5. When you’re on the move pack smart. Picnics in the park, a day at the lake, and even a camping trip into some remote destination are all great locations for wine. But remember to think ahead when you’re on the move. If you take glass then make sure it’s protected and secure…and be sure to remember your corkscrew! A better alternative however is to go for a more portable option, which includes boxed or bagged wine and plastic cups.
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WHITE
WINES
White wines are perfect for hot summer days.
Clean and light, these chilled wines make
a refreshing accompaniment to any daytime
scenario.
Chateau Ste.
Michelle - 2004 Canoe Ridge Chardonnay,
Horse Heaven Hills; $18.
A fruit-centered wine, this sings with pear,
grapefruit and peach aromas and flavors,
perched enticingly on a lithe frame, with
subdued oak notes lingering around the periphery.
It's the texture, though, that makes it
so attractive, polished and refined.
Chateau Ste.
Michelle - 2005 Pinot Gris,
Columbia Valley; $13.
I enjoy this wine for its refreshing, fresh
fruit quality and as a nice change of pace.
It exhibits inviting aromas and flavors
of ripe honeydew melon, crisp green apple
and sweet citrus. The wine has a delicate,
elegant finish and a refreshing crispness
that makes it very food friendly.
Gordon Brothers
Family Vineyard - 2003 Sauvignon
Blanc, Columbia Valley; $10.
The 2003 Gordon Brothers Sauvignon Blanc
is fresh, zesty and crisp. Bright melon
aromas waft with hints of orange blossom.
Crisp pineapple precedes layers of honeydew
in a framework refreshing pear and peach.
Best served with shellfish, poultry or creamy
pastas.
Rulo Winery
- 2004 "Combine" Sauvignon Blanc,
Columbia Valley; $15.
A deliciously nuanced Sauvignon blanc (86%),
with 14% Viognier rounding out the Sauvignon's
leaner character, wrapping apricot and peach
blossom aromas around the wine's grassy,
honeyed citrus core.
Three Rivers
Winery - 2004 Meritage White,
Columbia Valley; $19.
White Meritage wines are blends made from
traditional Bordeaux white varietals. Our
blend consists of 63% Sauvignon Blanc and
37% Semillon. Lively citrus and honeydew
melon dance on the palate. Sur lie aging
in small French oak barrels adds to the
light crisp finish.
Cave B Estate
Winery - 2003 Estate Sémillon
, Columbia Valley; $16.
This graceful, elegant wine has integrated
oak flavors and a classic Sémillon
style. Light straw in color, it is perfectly
balanced with great acidity. With a note
of lemongrass, it pairs well with tangy
flavors such as crab or Caesar salad.
Chateau Ste.
Michelle - 2005 Gewurztraminer,
Columbia Valley; $9.
This popular Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer
is a bright, refreshing medium-dry wine
with inviting aromas of honeydew melon,
pink grapefruit and delicate spice. Try
this rich wine with Thai food and any cuisine
with a little "bite" to it.
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RED
WINES
A big bold red isn't always the best option
on a hot summer day. That's why most of
our selections include bright and refreshing
drinkers that won't bog you down.
Columbia-Crest
- 2002 Grand Estates Shiraz, Columbia
Valley; $11.
White pepper, strawberry and freshly plucked
rose petals meld with exotic spice notes
to create a complex, balanced wine with
a full mouthfeel and supple finish.
Gordon Brothers
Family Vineyard - 2002 Syrah,
Columbia Valley; $20.
This sexy Syrah introduces itself with vanilla,
raspberry and slight rose petal on the nose,
followed by a mouthful of jammy fruit and
espresso with a perfect layer of dark chocolate
and underlying clove. Serve this dense,
slightly meaty Syrah with lamb or prime
rib for a fantastic meal!
Red Sky Winery
- 2003 Syrah, Columbia Valley; $30.
Starting with a rich, warm and enticing
bouquet, the wine exhibits flavors of vanilla,
cherries, chocolate and spices, which linger
on the palate almost indefinitely. Though
not as ripe or potent as the leading Boushey
Vineyard Syrahs, making it nicer to drink
on hot summer days, this delicate wine is
nicely balanced and reasonably complex.
Sagelands
Vineyard - 2003 Merlot Four Corners,
Columbia Valley; $13.
This bright, garnet-colored Merlot displays
a vibrant nose of red raspberry and Bing
cherry with notes of blueberry and vanilla.
The delicate and medium-bodied wine shows
the same flavors as on the nose, with a
nice touch of spice from the oak. The palate
is very soft and round thanks to fine tannins.
The fruit expression lingers on a pleasing
finish. This wine pairs well with pork tenderloin,
cheese plates, and chicken tajine.
Saint Laurent
Winery - 2003 Merlot, Columbia
Valley; $18.
Smooth and easy is a fitting way to classify
this great drinking Merlot. With initial
aromas of black cherry, spice, bubble gum
and a hint of buttery oak it’s apparent
that this is going to be some good juice.
The wine’s easygoing style continues
at first taste with a subtle complexity
of flavors, including a refreshing collection
of juicy strawberry and cherry, spice and
an underlying of dark chocolate. There are
just enough tannins to supply the wine structure
without overpowering your mouth, while the
acidity provides for a bright refreshing
drink. This is a great straightforward drinker
that’s soft on the finish offering
up hours of drinking pleasure. It’s
sure to be a hit with barbeques this Summer
because it just tastes fun!
Red Sky Wiinery
- 2003 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley;
$20.
This wine is medium plum-garnet in color,
with flavors of raspberry, plum, violet
and ground spices with scents of sweet oak
and vanilla. The structure and balance ensures
that this wine will compliment many pork,
meat and hearty chicken dishes.
Chateau Ste.
Michelle - 2005 Cold Fiddle Red
Wine , Columbia Valley; $13.
Light, juicy and refreshing, Cold Fiddle
is the red wine for white wine occasions.
The wine exudes fresh strawberry and raspberry
aromas. A touch of Muscat Canelli in the
predominately Syrah blend adds soft, floral
notes and brighten the fruit-packed, medium-bodied
palate. Chilling the wine makes the berry
flavors and aromas stand out making it a
most refreshing compliment for almost any
summertime fare, from hamburgers and ribs
on the grill to chips and dip or baked salmon.
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ALTERNATIVE WINES
The great thing about wine is that there are so many alternatives. If you're not completely committed to white but feel that a big red on a hot day is too much to stomach then try out these great alternatives.
Saint Laurent Winery - 2005 Rosé (Syrah), Wahluke Slope.
Our first Rosé release, a blend of 65% Syrah, 23% Chardonnay and 12% Riesling, is a sparkling ruby red color that reflects the sunlight. This blend creates complex tropical fruit notes, with hints of strawberry watermelon, with a dry finish.
Domaine Ste. Michelle - Frizzante (100% Méthode Champenoise), Columbia Valley.
Frizzante is perfect for those who like a slightly sweeter sparkling
wine. The Cuvée is lively, fruity, without being cloying. A creamy
sparkling wine, with notes of apple, pear and candied apples, Frizzante is balanced, refreshing and very easy to drink. The wine is an excellent complement to spicy foods with Asian or Southwest influences as well as various egg dishes and desserts.
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