Skip to main content

What to drink for Summer?


Summer is here--for most of us but for we here in Maine this Memorial Day is rainy, dark, and 50 degrees.  But we cling to what we know and that is a great Summer is coming even if short lived.So get out of your comfort zone this Summer and find the thrill of glorious well made wines that will not kill your retirement savings. 

For those hot Summer days poolside, on the  porch, or under the shade tree,  throw some bottles of wines you've never tried.  Forsake the kangaroo and footprint labels and look for inexpensive but well made wines you can chug if you wish.  The most under rated varietal is Riesling! With various styles to choose from what you'll find in the grocery store is domestic gems mixed in with plenty of plonk.  

What is plonk? Well, White Zinfandel for one.  Sure its popular but it is crap. For the same price or literally a couple bucks more, you can actually grab wine that is well made, tastes like wine rather than what I call wine beverage.  

Do NOT shy away from the myriad Rosés available today.  They are not what they were 20 years ago which was basically white zinfandel... 

 A nice Muscadet will run you about $10 along with a host of others like Pinot Gris (pronounced Peeno Gree), Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, and one of my faves, Gewurztraminer, pronounced Ga-Vurtz-truh-meener. 

As a rule of thumb Columbia Crest, St. Michelle, Sebastiani, Beaulieu, and Sean Minor just make solid value wines. There are many many more, but these stand out to me for over 30 years of reliable production.

So chill the whites in the fridge and NEVER EVER put ice in them. You are watering down everything that makes a decent wine decent. If you are going to do that, you might as well buy White Zinfandel and then throw yourself into the pool to wake out of your nightmare.  


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We've moved!

After a few year hiatus from my "real" wine blog, you can now find my reviews at the winecask.blogspot.com  I started this blog many years ago and was ranked the #8 wine blog on the world wide web.  I am a regular guy with a very limited wallet so I drink what you drink with rare exceptions. So scoot on over there, follow me if you want short, no non sense wine info.  Raise a glass!
Post a Comment
Read more

Pure Bred (Old Vine) Zinfandel Lodi 2017

Very light hue with a unique aroma (slight) at the side rim of dill pickle juice which is intriguing. Zin aromas of wild berries, not over powering but pleasant, with a touch of rustic zinfulness.  (OK that was cheesy!) Palate--There's a watery first impression but is quickly engulfed in big Zin fruitiness which is quickly fleeting leaving a pleasant lingering gentle berry goodness with a slightly "green" end. OK, I am the Zin maestro having had more zins in my life than possibly all other varietals combined?  Well, if not, I am getting there.  Zin is my grape. And here is the get a grip factor; this sells for $6.50 from Trader Joes, nuff said. Face it, I can't drink Turley, or Rosenblum single vineyard zins everyday (or even every week) so if you're having the gang over and want a light hearted red for those who insist they don't like red wine, give them I bit of this and see what happens.  At this price, I'll raise a glass.  Thanks MB :)
Post a Comment
Read more

Cigar Box Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Hand Harvested) Dalle Valley Chile 2010

Bricking hue with aromas of spicy baked blackberry pie, and blueberry, with a touch of menthol and savory spices at the rim. Palate--Sturdy structured Cab with loads of mature dark berry fruit. It has an "OK" finish and it does linger for a good while! This isn't a complex Cab but the fact that it is as delicious as it is at 10 years old is a surprise and a treat! This sold for probably around $10 at its release so it is an outlier that it is still drinking so well.  Definitely at it's ultimate time but will hold for I would guess 2 years anyway. It is a testament of the quality of even inexpensive Chilean Cabernets which are among some of my favorites. It is doubtful that you will find this wine this old but if you do you want to snag it and enjoy.  Raise a glass!
Post a Comment
Read more