Summer casual wines

The season for casual wear, casual food and casual wine is here. This is the time when I want my summer whites crisp, cool and refreshing and my hot –weather reds fruity, forward and gulpable. Whether it is a backyard barbecue or concert in the park I want my wines laid back-the wines I don’t have to think about. It is hot and getting humid and I have no desire to mull over vintages or vintners, ratings and reviews. In fact if I having company and my guests are not wine aficionados I present wines that they are familiar with ,like Turning Leaf,Ecco Domani,Austin Vale ,to name just a few. These mass-marketed on television and radio wines can very well live up to their hype and a bottle of “Bella Sera” may indeed make for a “beautiful evening”.

I have noticed that selection of popular brand does well in a relax atmosphere of porch gathering, and I overhear guests saying something like”Oh, yeah,I saw it on TV, suppose to be really good!” .Last week I served a selection of 10 wines in my home tasting and will admit happily that only 2 received negative reviews. In fact, several of the wines I have chosen were found to be outstanding values and would be as appropriate for a formal dinner party as they are for backyard get-togethers.For my very last wine tasting I served grilled wild caught shark steaks, brushed with oil and rubbed with a moisture of parsley, lemon zest ,garlic and sea salt. These were accompanied by a simple boiled young potatoes in finely chopped dill and sour cream sauce, and fresh white asparagus.

First we tasted wines by themselves and then accompanied by the meal. So here I would like to share with you some of my recommendations for summer’s easy living:

• Rock Rabbit, Sauvignon Blanc from Central Coast, California 2005 jumps out of the glass with ripe peaches, juicy apricots and fresh lemon aromas. It is an exceptional wine for sipping. Try to pair it with pasta and the mozzarella with tomatoes.
• Robert Mondovi Private Selection Pinot Grigio, 2005.Classical fruit forward style. Overtones of crisp citrus, bright pear and tropical fruit. Pairs well with pasta and absolute match with roast chicken.
• New arrival from Marlborough New Zealand, Fauna Sauvignon Blanc. This wine from the beginning to the end fills your mouth with gooseberries, passion fruit and lime. This flavors enhance the freshness of seafood ,white fish and crunchy summer salads.
• Toasted Head Chardonnay, 2004, by R.H.Phillips.It is not the lightest white, on a contrary it is very oak, buttery, aged in oak barrels for seven months. But it has such an intense aroma of peach and vanilla, with slight spiciness layered over toasty oak notes! Best pairs with pasta, mozzarella, veal schnitzel, believe it or not Chinese spring rolls!
• For summer reds I chosen Barrel Selected Silver Ridge Pinot Noir and Mirassou Pinot Noir.These versatile wines pairs beautifully with salmon,poultry,risotto.They are light to a medium bodies ,good balance from start to finish .True stars and very affordable!
• The Jibe Pinot Noir from New Zealand is of exceptional quality .It carries rich and concentrated flavor of cherry and violet, slight smoky oak delivered from 9 month in the oak barriques.Pairs well from simply prepared grilled vegetables to dishes with rich cream sauces, poultry, and seafood and perhaps even with a nice summer omelet.
• And if you like semi sweet wines, Odjaleshi from Georgia is of dark ruby colour. Delicate bouquet and rich harmonious taste pairs well with lamb, spaghetti with a sauce made from olive oil, garlic, fennel seed and hot pepper flakes. Also a plate made of vine-ripened tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, spinach focaccia, mixed salad with baby greens, goat cheese and pecans.

Enjoy and remember, Life is a matter of taste!

Другие статьи в литературном дневнике:

• 25.07.2010. Wine knowledge is important
• 23.07.2010. Summer casual wines
• 11.07.2010. One more time about pinot grigio