Summer is fully upon us and crisp, refreshing white wines are on the menu today. Below you'll find a few suggestions for hot weather drinking. These bottlings are widely available at retail and won't set you back more than 10-25 bucks.
- Berger Gruner Veltliner ($11-14 / one litre bottle)
Gruner Veltliner is an Austrian varietal that's typically dry and crisp, and pairs well with just about any green vegetable, as well as chicken and pork. It's also great all by itself and generally has a lower alcohol content than chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, or pinot gris. This bottling from Berger has long been a tremendous value, especially since it's 25% larger than the standard 750ml.
- Verget "Saint-Veran" & "Vire-Clesse" ($18-25 / 750ml)
100% chardonnay direct from the original source, Burgundy, France. Jean-Marie Guffens is the very eccentric winemaker for this brand and has been making racey, focused wine from leased vineyards all over central France. Fin fish with medium fattiness, shellfish, veggie salads, dry cheese, and poultry do well with this wine.
- Copain "l'ete" Viognier ($15-20 / 750ml)
This producer bottles a series called "Saison des Vins" or "Seasonal Wine" of which the "l'ete" viognier is a part. The varietals are often not the same from year to year within each season, but the wines are wonderful and well priced. Expect lots of very ripe fruit and decent acidity to pair with ............. fresh fruit of course! Personally, I like drinking Copain wines with no food at all, they're that good. Be aware that Copain's non-seasonal bottlings are much more expensive, but if you can afford the goods you should give 'em a shot. The vineyard designated syrah offerings are magnificent! Also, Copain's seasonal bottlings DO NOT list Copain as the producer on the front label, but rather the French word for the particular season on a small, rectangular, cream colored label.
- Baumard "Cremant de Loire" ($15-20 / 750ml)
Sparkling wine from Loire, France is a must have for summer sipping. Nobody does it better than Baumard, a producer known more for high scoring, high priced late harvest chenin blanc. Choose from two very different bottlings: "Carte Corail," a pale rose made entirely from cabernet franc, or my favorite "Carte Turquoise," a generous load of fruit and acidity made from 100% chenin blanc. These are pure and balanced wines that don't need any food to enjoy. If you prefer some treats to accompany, keep it simple with strawberries, light cheese and bread, and even sweets such as custard and sorbet.
Get out there and shop lil winos. You absolutely can't miss with any of these wines. You will love them and friends will be most impressed by your exquisite taste. Happy summer ya'll!
Salud!
Evan. portlandwino.
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