"It's soooo hot outside." Have you heard this a thousand times yet? Congratulations, you live in the United States circa summer of 2011. It's easy to forget that Americans were only a few months ago shivering their body parts off and complaining about the freezing cold. While this thought probably doesn't make you feel any cooler, you can rest assured that a break in the heat is coming — though it's probably still three months away for those in the Bay area. In the meantime, you need a drink to quench your thirst and refresh your palate. Here's a list of great wines that will help beat this summertime heat:
Avaleda Vinho Verde Portugal ($9) If you live in Florida (or anywhere in the South), you have to add Vinho Verde to your summer wine repertoire. Vinho Verde literally means "green wine," and it has a light citrusy flavor that makes it a great wine for "Ahh-ing" away a parched palate. Enjoy by the glass with a tuna sandwich, cottage cheese plate or fruit mélange.
Chateau St. Michelle 2010 Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling Washington State ($15) It's always fun to see people turn their noses up at Riesling and then watch their eyes light up after they try that first sip. Round these parts we tend to like blackened grouper "sammiches," and there's really nothing better than a glass of this Riesling to balance out the blackened flavors and allow you to enjoy the large flakes and firm texture of the fish.
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava N/V Spain ($12) Always a fun drink; and now fun to cook with. Take an overripe mango, peel and cut into cubes (it may be messy), and pour a shot or two of brandy and about four ounces of Cordon Negro Cava over the mango. Pour the mango combo over chicken breasts rubbed with a little spicy cayenne pepper as they are cooking in the oven. Enjoy with a glass of Cava as you bite into a heavenly combination of spicy and sweet.
Mosby Winery Rosato di Cannonau California ($18) This is a wine for those of you who swear you only drink reds; it has the structure of a red wine with the freshness of a white. Flavors and aromas of raspberry and strawberry and a clean, dry finish make this wine a must for the hot, sultry summer season. Rosés are extremely versatile and pair with a variety of foods from fish to burgers and salads to pizza.
Duck Walk Pinot Meunier 2007 New York ($10) Pinot Meunier is rarely seen outside of France; it's normally used as part of the blend in making Champagne. But Duck Walk has given us the gift of 100-percent varietals in a still wine. Very light colored in the glass with bright, fresh fruit aromas and flavors of cranberry and pomegranate — it's lively and exciting on the palate. I paired it with quesadillas stuffed with a three-cheese blend and onions sautéed with cilantro and cumin.
Chateau de Pizay 2009 Morgon France ($17) Coming from vines with an average age of 55 years, this Gamay is an extraordinarily big, rich fruit with excellent depth on the palate. Hard to think of a red as refreshing, but this wine is just that. And it's food-friendly: chicken, fish, and especially salmon and Indian fare all pair well with the Pizay Morgon.
Numanthia Termes 2008 Tinta de Toro Spain ($27) Last on this list doesn't mean least, especially for the Termes. This is an amazing wine; one where you turn the empty bottle all the way upside down to get those last little drops. Tinta de Toro is another name for Tempranillo, and when it comes from the Toro region — look out! Earthy, chunky with dark fruit flavors (plum, blackberry) and chocolate, this is a smoooooth wine. It's the one to have with that good chop that's out on the grill.
This article appears in Sep 1-7, 2011.