Anthony Gismondi: Ready to move on to summer wines? Try these bottles
Despite summer’s unpredictable arrival and often fleeting departure, it has always held a special significance for wine enthusiasts. During these brief weeks, the rich, extracted reds served in late fall, winter and early spring take a back seat to wines that offer instant gratification and, frankly, are more in tune with warmer weather and patio dining.
Al fresco dining or eating and drinking outdoors in a region where it rains for months on end is a cherished moment for most British Columbians. Wine drinkers particularly welcome wines that provide immediate enjoyment, and while whites and rosés are popular choices, some red wines can fit the bill as well. The key is a structure with less tannin and more freshness or higher acidity.
Examining these wines reveals that their acidity refreshes the palate, lightens the wine and enhances its food pairings. If you are ready to explore an excellent selection of summer wines, continue reading.
Enjoying summer wines should be a fun and breezy experience. Set aside ratings and complexities for a few weeks and those finishes that are longer than a weekend round of golf.
Here’s a short list of wines to help you get started:
• Portugal:
White Port mixed with tonic water over ice, with a slice of orange, before dinner. It’s sweet, but not too sweet. Try Graham’s Blend No. 5 White Port, $43.99.
• Spain:
The white wines of Rueda, primarily blending Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc, offer refreshing acidity and aromatic notes of herbs and flowers. Try Menade Rueda Verdejo Ecologico, $24.99.
• South Africa:
Chenin Blanc, a.k.a. Steen, is a South African summer star, depicted by its green apricot and tangerine notes, as well as tangy nectarine flavours. Try Anthonij Rupert Protea Chenin Blanc, $18.49.
• Germany:
Mosel Rieslings are the archetypal summer white, characterized by crisp, crunchy apple and pear fruit aromas and flavours that come with lower alcohol content. Try Dr. Loosen Mosel Riesling Off-Dry, $19.99.
• Hungary:
The relatively unknown Furmint grape produces a delicious, fresh white wine that is full of lime pith, white melon and pink grapefruit, making it perfect for al fresco experiences. Try Château Dereszla Tokaji Furmint $18.99.
• France:
France offers a riot of white and rosé labels that work well with summer. From the Rhone, we adore Grenache Blanc blends, which provide notes of pear, baked green apple, and hints of ginger. Try M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Blanc, $19.99. Provence is the home of the pale, ethereal rose that pairs perfectly with West Coast shellfish. Try Miraval Studio N/V Rosé $21.99.
• Italy:
Italia is a treasure trove of summer wines, such as the silky and barbecue-friendly Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera, $18.99. Prosecco is another charming al fresco bubble you can enjoy all summer, from midday to midnight. Look for the Anna Spinato Prosecco Rose, $22.49. Our white wine pick is a Verdicchio awash in botanical herbs, white stone fruit, almonds, peaches and a touch of citrus. Umani Ronchi Casal Serra Verdicchio Superiore, $21.99.
Temperature control is essential when drinking wine outside, and cooling your bottles applies to both red and white. Any container large enough to hold water, ice and a bottle or two should suffice. Now, go take on the summer.
Weekend Wine Picks
Bartier Bros. Pristine Riesling 2024, Rattlesnake Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
$18.99 I 88/100
UPC:
628055147749
The Pristine Riesling fruit was night-harvested at Zillah Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA, Washington State, where it was destemmed, crushed and pressed immediately before being shipped north to Bartier Bros within hours to be made at the Oliver winery. Winemaker Michael Bartier chose a cool, high-elevation site with rocky, silty loam and a southern aspect. The style is fresh and crisp with a subtle stony citrus Bartier bent, leaving it a must to be served with food.
Nighthawk Vineyards Chardonnay 2023, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
$30.00 I 90/100
UPC:
626990340584
Nighthawk Vineyards is operated by the Bibby family, with viticulturalist Daniel and Christy Bibby overseeing the fruit production, winemaker Dakota Bibby managing the winemaking process, while guests staying in their luxury tent suites meet chef Carson Bibby. The 2022 Chardonnay is entirely estate-grown and barrel-fermented. It blends golden apples, toasted brioche, spice and toffee on a fresh textured palate. The vineyard’s high altitude contributes to its vibrancy and minerality, balancing the wine’s richness. A California meets Okanagan white with wide appeal is ready to drink.
Blue Grouse Estate Reserve Pinot Gris 2023, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
$39.99 I 91/100
UPC:
696852117449
B.C. Pinot Gris is evolving. On Vancouver Island, Blue Grouse Reserve utilizes a blend of inoculated and Indigenous yeasts, fermenting slowly at cool temperatures in a mix of concrete (75 per cent) and neutral French oak (25 per cent) to preserve aromas and fruit. Some of the blend undergoes malolactic conversion for balance and enhanced palate. Its wet stone and mineral finish, combined with a three-vineyard blend from Blue Grouse Estate Vineyard, Enrico Vineyard and Saison Vineyard, adds complexity and length. Perfect with island seafood, this Reserve sets the standard.
Mouton Cadet Rouge 2022, Bordeaux, France
$19.99 I 89/100
UPC:
0878448002609
Director of wines Jerome Aquirre has done a great job upgrading this old brand in the vineyard and the bottle. The ’22 is especially attractive for the price and is undoubtedly one of the best red blends in the market under $20. The blend is mainly Merlot, which has both weight and density and a long, polished finish with more red and black fruit lined with damp earth and dried spices. The tannins are soft and the wine is ready to drink with any number of meat or chicken dishes. It is a terrific value.
Stag’s Hollow Renaissance Merlot 30th Anniversary Art Series 2022, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
$45.00 I 92/100
UPC:
696852086394
Winemaker Keira LeFranc is dedicated to sustainable viticulture and low-intervention winemaking to reflect the unique terroir surrounding Stag’s Hollow in Okanagan Falls. The vines grow over gravel on a southwest-facing slope, which naturally limits the yields via small clusters and small berries. The resulting intensity and concentration elevate this stylish, red-fruited Merlot to another level of complexity. Ultimately, the best barrel selection is made under the Renaissance label.
Calendar Items
• “Knight Moves — An Evening Experience” offers a refined evening at CheckMate Artisanal Winery, featuring an exclusive after-hours tasting session. As twilight settles over the Oliver vineyards, guests are welcomed into a candlelit setting to enjoy a carefully selected assortment of wines guided by a dedicated wine ambassador. Each pour showcases the artistry of the winery, complemented by the serene evening atmosphere. This experience is available by reservation only to guarantee a private and discreet environment. You can discover this unique experience by reserving your journey for parties of one to six guests, with a prepaid reservation fee of $45 per person at
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• Araxi’s Longtable Dinner Series, one of B.C.’s premier outdoor dining events, returns July 27 at the picturesque North Arm Farm in Pemberton. Chef James Walt and the Toptable culinary team will offer a multi-course, farm-to-table feast with local ingredients. The four-course menu will be served family style and paired with carefully selected wines from renowned B.C. producers. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment and have the opportunity to engage with a community of like-minded individuals, all set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Currie. Tickets for this exclusive event, including options with transportation, are available for purchase at
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B.C. Wine of the Week
O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars Chardonnay 2019, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
$30.00 I 91/100
UPC:
681714150016
Peak Cellars wines are generally fresh and vibrant, reflecting their 50-degree north position in Lake Country. However, extended bottle age at the winery has given this Chardonnay an inviting, rich, creamy texture, complemented by a palate of red, green and yellow apple fruit, ripe pineapple, citrus, spice and a hint of pie crust. It is in a perfect state to pair with lobster, roast chicken or Dungeness crab. Good value.
Value Wine of the Week
Yalumba Y Series Lighter Chardonnay 2024, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
$16.99 I 87/100
UPC: 9311789008660
Yalumba has demonstrated excellence with its unwooded Chardonnay, and this 7 per cent Chardonnay continues that standard. While it may lack mid-palate weight and mouth feel, this is a characteristic of wines at this alcohol level and is likely anticipated by consumers seeking a lighter white wine. The wine presents clean and fresh notes of citrus, green apple and mango, offering a refreshing and juicy experience ideal for a light lunch. For those preferring lower alcohol consumption, this Chardonnay is an excellent alternative. The finish is clean and dry, making it well-suited for pairing with seafood dishes or sushi rolls. Additionally, it contains only 66 calories per 150 mL serving.
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Source: vancouversun.com