Misstropolis

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

How to Pick a Summer Wine

by Anu Karwa

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Spring is finally promising to fully unleash her warmth and that means it’s time to take the party outdoors. Whether it’s dinner on the deck, a picnic in the park or a full-out celebration, wine can be the perfect beverage to serve alongside summer salads and burgers or fish sizzling on the grill. Along with your winter scarves and parkas, shed the bigger, bolder Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux wines of winter, and step into something lighter.

When choosing a wine for warmer weather, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Since you’re in the heat and more prone to dehydration, choose a wine relatively low in alcohol. Go for crisp, refreshing and acidic, the same qualities that make us gravitate toward lemonade when temperatures creep up. I reach for dry Rose, dry Riesling from Alsace or Australia and Muscadet from the Loire Valley, as well as sparkling wine.

But don’t think red wine has the season off. On the contrary, red wine stands up to heftier foods like barbecued ribs where white wine would falter. And sometimes only a glass of red wine truly satisfies. However, I’m going to advise doing something once considered heresy, and that is to chill your red wine. Nothing is more satisfying to sip alongside a hot-off-the-grill burger than a juicy Barbera d’Alba or Valpolicella from Italy slightly chilled. When picking a red wine perfect to drink outdoors, think light to medium-body, with soft tannins and a hefty dose of bright fruit and acidity. These wines will shine where their heavier counterparts seem dull or just unappealing.

Consider the following the next time you’re sipping alfresco:

Crios Rose of Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($14) – Ripe wild strawberries with a surprisingly clean finish and a deep gorgeous color make this a go-to for backyard celebrations.

Clos de Beauregard Muscadet, Loire Valley, France ($10) – A subtle wine, with layers of creaminess balanced by lemony freshness and hints of green apple. Perfect to sip while diving into your summer reading list.

Cantina Valpantena Falasco Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy ($14) – Smooth-drinking and uber food-friendly with juicy black fruit flavors and a perfect accompaniment to barbequed ribs.

Sorella Bronca Prosecco, Veneto, Italy ($17) – Clean, crisp and refreshing; everything a Prosecco should be. It’s made quarterly by a duo of sisters to ensure freshness when you drink it.

Nothing suggests summer more than a dry (i.e. not sweet) Rosé. Avoid the simple, syrupy versions and try French rosés from the Mourvèdre grape or roses made using the Saignee method for more complexity.

Pick wines from countries where you imagine the locals sipping leisurely at sidewalk cafés while basking in the sun, like Spain. A Spanish fave is Albarino from the Rias Baixas region. Made to drink young, Albarino is a crisp, white wine with intense fruit, lively acidity and generally a lower level of alcohol. It pairs perfectly with summer foods from seafood to grilled vegetables.

One of our favorite games to play at Swirl Events, with clients or with friends is to match a wine with a celebrity. This pairing is perfect for the transition from spring to summer: Pazo San Mauro Albariño ~ Cameron Diaz: “Livens up your springtime picnic”

Cameron would be a fun addition to any springtime outing. Her lightheartedness would make everyone smile and this wine does the same. The light yellow straw color gives way to granny smith apples, peaches, melon, and citrus scents that jump at your nose, smelling like springtime in a glass. This wine begs to be explored further.

Anu Karwa is the Founder and CEO of Swirl Events. To learn more, visit swirlevents.com.