Summer Reds

No matter where you live, you have likely been experiencing some very warm summer weather.  Grilling and barbecuing are favorite pastimes as we enjoy all of the wonderful foods the season offers.  I checked in with some of my favorite wine retailers and asked them about their favorite red wines for summer.

Jeff Zimmitti owns and operates Rosso Wine Shop with his wife, Lisa.  Their shop is an intimate space in Glendale with an eclectic selection of domestic and international labels.  Jeff has a passion for Italian wines and often showcases some of his discoveries at tastings. For this article, Jeff chose 2016 Beaujolais-Villages from Jean Foillard. He describes Foillard as a particularly reputable producer of outstanding wines using sustainable and biodynamic farming techniques.  Foillard is best known for single vineyard Beaujolais, released in small quantities that are difficult to obtain.  This is his first Beaujolais-Villages and it is a fresh and vibrant wine accented with red cherry flavors and a hint of rose petals on the nose.  Serve it lightly chilled, 55-60 degrees F.  Put in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or remove from your wine cooler 10-15 minutes before opening. Pair this Beaujolais with virtually anything from burgers to pork tenderloin to grilled vegetables.  Expect to find this wine for approximately $24.00 per bottle.

My favorite wine resource in Charleston, SC has always been Debbie Marlowe’s The Wine Shop of Charleston.  Whether you are shopping for what one of my best friends calls “Tuesday Wine” (i.e. yummy but inexpensive) or a special bottle for your cellar or a gift, Debbie has what you want.  Her advice is always spot-on and her pairing suggestions are consistently winners.  Debbie selected 2014 Pannonica Red Blend from Austria.  It is a blend of 40% Blaufrankisch, 35% Sweigelt, and 25% Pinot Noir.  The wine is a deep garnet color with flavors of juicy blackberries and hints of spice.  Soft tannins on the palate and in the finish make it a excellent food wine because the tannins act as a palate cleanser.  Pannonica Red Blend will pair well with pork tenderloin, salads or salmon with a touch of soy.  Put a slight chill on this bottle, as well.  It is affordably priced at $14.00 – try it for your next party.

Another of my favorite local wine specialists is Amy Atthajaroon of Mission Wines and Spirits.  I have enjoyed getting to know Amy and she has introduced me to a number of new labels.  Mission is a local chain of retail shops of varying size with a fairly robust inventory of domestic and imported wines.  Amy barely hesitated before selecting 2016 “R” Barbera from Jeff Runquist of Amador County in Northern CA.  She says this Barbera is her “go to” summer grilling wine.  It is a fruitier Barbera than those produced in Italy, medium to full bodied, with good tannic structure.  She says the perfect pairing for the wine is lamb, but that it will complement any flavorful meat dish and can stand up to dry rubs and sauces. As mentioned above, the tannins in the wine cut through the fat in meat and act as a palate cleanser, refreshing your taste buds for the next bite of food.  Expect to pay $22.00-$24.00 for this bottle.

The fourth expert for this article is Mark Meissner of Petit Philippe in Charlotte, NC.  Mark’s charming wine store includes frequent tastings, house made artisinal chocolates created by his wife, Casey, and many additional services including wine storage, special events, and wine cellar consultation. Mark’s selection is 2016 La Senda Tintorera ‘La Barbacana’ Garnacha from Spain.  Here’s Mark with more detail:

Enjoy your summer, eat and drink well, have fun experimenting with pairings. Please leave a comment on the blog, or email me, if you come across a notable wine that you want to share.

Cheers!