Summer wines - By Mike Casey

The wine and beer industry experience similar trends in consumption around the year. Heavier products are consumed in higher numbers in the winter time, while lighter beverages are desired during the warmer months of late spring and summer. This trend is also noticed in foods as heartier meals are consumed during cooler weather. Maybe this is why Minnesota is so famous for it’s hotdish. When comparing beer to wine we have to recognize that beer can be a little more flexible as it has lower alcohol content than wine. Beers alcohol percentage ranges from 3.2% to 9%. While wine Ranges from 8% to 15%. Of course there are always exceptions but the majority of the products fit into the ranges listed. As we approach the summer months wine drinkers start to turn towards more white wine as they have a tendency to be lighter and thirst quenching. The main reason for turning away from red wine is because reds are as a whole are medium to full-bodied, lower in acidity and contain tannins. White wines as a whole are light to medium bodied, higher in acidity, and contain little or no tannin.

When looking for wines on that hot summer day there are several factors that should be considered. First is the body of the wine, otherwise known as the alcohol content. Alcohol is felt as weight when we taste wine. When the mercury rises the effect is amplified. Once again, we want something to drink that is quenching not heavy. Second, in wine the higher the acidity the more thirst quenching the wine will be. Acidity defines the structure of white wine varietals such as Riesling, Pinot Grigio/Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc. Tread carefully with Chardonnay as it is high in alcohol, it routinely goes through a secondary fermentation that softens the acidity. You can still enjoy Chardonnay but make sure you keep it chilled. If it gets to warm it will finish hot. Tannin is also an important factor in wine as it attributes structure and longevity. Tannin comes from grape skins, stalks and wood barrels. Its effect is a drying, puckering sensation when tasting the wine. It is because of its astringent nature that tannic wines are not suitable when you are looking for a thirst quencher. Tannins are always found in red wines. This is due to the juice being macerated on their grape skins during fermentation. This is done to extract color, flavor, and tannin. White wines do not see skin contact so tannin is usually not a factor. Rosés have limited contact with their skins, this is done to extract a pale color but very little or no tannin. White wines can have some tannin from barrel fermentation and maturation. Chardonnay and Fume Blanc are the two main wines that routinely see barrel maturation. Lastly, serving temperature is a factor.  Chilling wines accentuates acidity. Acidity is a main structural component for white wine and also is the true thirst quencher. All wines have their comfort zone for temperature. It is easy to discover this on your own. While drinking a chilled wine you should notice flavor differences as the wine warms up. When it warms to ambient temperature it will be flabby and unsatisfying.

Next month we will talk about red wines for summer. There is no need to give up some of your favorites. Especially when you are grilling a fine steak.

I have taken the liberty to recommend some wines to experiment with. All are good examples of summer friendly wines. So get out the sunglasses and sandals. Invite some friends over and break in the patio chairs once again. It’s time for summer!

Featured Wine(s) of the Month

Riesling – 2004 KJ Riesling, California Reg.$9.99 Sale $7.99

                    2004 Saint M, Pfalz, Germany Reg.$10.99 Sale $8.79

Pinot Grigio/Gris – 2004 Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, delle Venezie

                                   Reg.$8.99 Sale $6.99 (In-store sale price)

                                   2002 Firesteed Pinot Gris, Oregon Reg.$11.99 Sale $9.59

Sauvignon Blanc – 2004 Monkey Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand

                                  Reg.$9.99 Sale $7.99

                                  2002 Nepenthe, Adelaide Hills, Australia

             Reg.$12.99 Sale $10.39

Chardonnay – 2003 Santa Ema Reserve, Casablanca Valley, Chile

                           Reg.$9.99 Sale $7.99

                            2003 Toad Hollow, Sonoma Reg.$9.99 Sale $7.99

Rosés

2003 Arazuri Navarra Rosado Reg.$9.99 Sale $7.99

2004 Tommasi Bardolino Classico Chiaretto Reg.$10.99 Sale $8.79