Before It’s Too Late … Summer Wines
photo 1. an afternoon sketch of myself sipping a glass of wine
If someone asks me about the best thing about summer, my answer would be, “It’s the perfect season for enjoying wine, both indoors and outdoors!” Yes, summer wines should embody qualities like fun, entertainment, being a party-starter, and most importantly, being extra delicious. I have compiled a list of enjoyable wine-related activities for you to try with your friends and family. Alongside that, I have also curated a selection of my favorite wines, perfect for hot summer days, whether you're at home or on vacation. Furthermore, I have prepared a list of wines that I am eager to try.
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How can you make it more fun? Here are some suggestions:
Organize a blind tasting event among your friends. Cover the labels and try to guess the wines!
Explore varietals you have never tried before, such as Ribolla Gialla, Albariño, Trebbiano, Savagnin, and more.
Venture into unfamiliar wine regions like Jura, Galicia, Puglia, and discover new flavors.
Experiment with older vintages of your favorite wines and observe how the color and taste have changed over the years.
Create unusual wine and food pairings for a unique experience. You will be surprised. (e.g. White Zinfandel with Shake Shack, Champagne with KFC, etc.)
By incorporating these activities, you can add an extra element of excitement and enjoyment to your wine experiences.
I would like to share some of the great wines I had the chance to taste and discover during tasting events. I believe these would be excellent choices for this summer.
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The memorable ones:
Wines featured in May of 2023 Roundup:
2021 Weingut Hermann Ludes Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Kabinett “Monster” feinherb
2022 The Monarch Challenge Rosé
NV Laherte Frères Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne
Wines featured in June of 2023 Roundup:
2021 Souleil Vin de Bonté Le Rosé
2021 Joseph Colin Bourgogne Aligoté ‘Les Jardins de la Côte’
NV Bérêche & Fils Champagne Brut Réserve Vieilles Vignes Cuvée non Filtrée
2000 Weingut Alfred Merkelbach Kinheimer Rosenberg Riesling Kabinett
2020 Alexandre Parigot Meursault ‘Les Vireuils Dessous’
2020 Y. Clerget Meursault ‘Les Chevalières’
2020 Rémi Jobard Meursault 1er Cru ‘Genevrières’
2019 Manuel Moldes A Capela de Aios Albariño
2019 Nathan K. Dry Riesling
Last but not least …
2020 Enderle & Moll Müller-Thurgau Pur
2019 Ferme de la Sansonnière ‘Les Vieilles Vignes des Blanderies’
2020 Bedell First Crush Red
2012 Taittinger ‘Comtes de Champagne’ Blanc de Blancs
2013 Pol Roger ‘Cuvée Winston Churchill’
2008 Billecart-Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs ‘Cuvée Louis’
NV Krug Grande Cuvée 160ème Édition
2021 Domaine Chanterêves Marsannay Rosé
2020 Dureuil-Janthial Bourgogne-Aligoté
Waiting to be enjoyed this summer ( … or next summer) with friends and family:
2020 Domaine Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Blanc
2021 Domaine Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne-Aligoté
2015 Alexandre Bonnet Champagne Rosé de Saignée La Forêt Les Riceys
2022 Stein Rosé trocken
2015 Emidio Pepe Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
2021 Iconic Wines Secret Identity
2019 Jean-François Ganevat Julien en Billat
2020 Château Pradeaux Bandol Vesprée
2020 Weingut Clemens Busch Marienburg Falkenlay Riesling Großes Gewächs
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Good wine does not necessarily equate to expensive wine. It embodies stories waiting to be told, fine moments meant to be shared with loved ones, and, most importantly, the pure pleasure of enjoyment. Delicious wines possess the power to create lasting memories that are cherished for a long time. Create the memorable moments!
photo 2. My definition of summer wine
photo 3. My wife’s definition of summer wine