Summer Wines, Part 2.

What qualities make a wine more enjoyable during the heat of summer? Perhaps quality Number 1 is “Refreshing.” Perhaps also “Crisp.” It would probably have a flavor profile consisting of strawberry, or hints of citrus, or maybe the essence of nectarine. The taste would take you to a comfortable chair on the porch, enjoying the breeze.

Well what wines do that?!?

The first step is to just focus on Rose and White wines, for now.  Reds are much more tricky so we are going to leave those out.

Next we must look at the wines’ sugar/alcohol content and acid. Wines that tend to be more refreshing and crisp are low in sugar (are not sweet), have relatively low alcohol by volume (13% or less), and have higher acid.

Then we want a wine that tastes like summer.  What tastes like summer?  Summer fruits; strawberry, the stone fruits, green apple, and some hints of citrus. 

Our first example is Figuiere “Mediterranean” 2021 Rose from the South of France. It’s description contains the remark “bright acidity and a moderate level of alcohol.” The tasters of this Crowd Favorite at Aragon this week got hints of strawberry with no sugar. Bullseye!  Tasters declared it a perfectly refreshing Porch Wine as we contrasted it to a Sonoma Coast big, but young, red blend.

Our next example, from this week’s tasting at the EastHill Bottle shop, is Fontaleoni Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2022, from Tuscany. This Crowd Favorite runner-up came in with flavor essences of stone fruit (peach & nectarine) and crisp green apple. Light on the tongue with “lively” acid. Winner!

So let’s review. Rose and whites that are low in sugar. Check. Relatively low in alcohol. The Rose, 13%; the White, 12.5. Check. Flavor profiles that contain summer fruits. Check. Two great porch and pool pounders. Just remember; serve chilled! Cheers!