"Wine for Outdoors"

   As we slip into spring and dust off the picnic table, the wine's we start to gravitate towards tend to be more refreshing and thirst quenching. Something we can stick into the ice bucket and pair with grilled shrimp skewers is what I'm talking about. Snappy whites, rosés and juicy reds all fit the bill for grilling and summertime entertaining. I love New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc's because of their mouthwatering acidity and citrus flavors. Grilled seafood is always a fantastic match. Dry rosès are also a super wine for this time and often over looked. You can find delicious examples coming from our country and all around the globe. The great thing about rosès is that they can pair with a wide array of foods. From cold cuts, potato salad or grilled chicken this style sings on the palate. Now a day's unoaked Chardonnays are becoming popular and for a good reason. This style is more crisp and refreshing than the oaked version and much more food friendly. From South America to California there are excellent bottles being made at great prices in this category. If you grill burgers, ribs and steak a bigger bolder wine is what works. I find that California Red Zinfandels pair great and reds from Rioja are real grill friendly. The Spanish Riojas can go with grilled chicken, grilled pork or even grilled mushrooms. Here are some fun and delicious
bottles to try when you're outside entertaining.  

1)    Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010, New Zealand - This is a new favorite of mine coming from New Zealand. The wine is great and the price is fabulous for NZ Sauvignon Blanc. The wine has a light straw color with exploding aromas of citrus and grapefruit. Mouthwatering flavors of guava, melon and more citrus sing on the palate with a super crisp refreshing feel. Pair with grilled scallops, grilled
shrimp or just as a sipper.   

2)    Lincourt Chardonnay Steel, 2009 - The grapes for this wine are being sourced from the famous Sta. Rita Hills. Even though this wine doesn't see any oak it still has a nice richness. Aromas of lemon and tropical fruits fill the air. Crisp flavors of oranges and pineapple fill the mouth with good balance and finesse. This bottle shows that Santa Barbara County is defiantly producing world class wines. Pair with cold seafood salad or grilled chicken.  

3)    Concannon Righteously Rosè 2008, California - Here is a juicy mouthwatering dry rosè from Cali that won't break the bank. The wine has a dark pink hue with aromas of strawberry and cherries. Flavors of raspberry and more strawberry fill the palate with a clean finish. For under 10 bucks this is a great party wine. Pair with grilled salmon or grilled chicken.  

4)    Ugarte Cosecha 2009, Rioja Spain - Heredad Ugarte is churning out some tasty wines from Spain at super prices. This wine is 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. Six months in barrel and 4 months in bottle round the wine out and give it a nice structure. The wine is dark ruby in color with aromatics of blackberry and raspberry. Flavors of cherry and dark fruits fill the palate with a hint of vanilla. Super smooth and velvety in the mouth. A nice introduction to Spain at a great price. Pair with grilled pork loin and Manchego cheese.

5)    Shooting Star Zinfandel 2008, Mendocino County California - Jed Steele has been involved in winemaking for 42 years and continues to churn out stellar wines at killer prices. The grapes are sourced from three select vineyards. One of the vineyards is the Picini Vineyard which is over 60 years old. Barrel aging in American oak smooth's out the wine and gives it more complexity. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, raspberry, spice and a mocha fill the mouth in a velvety texture. Nice length on the finish. Pair with BBQ ribs, burgers off the grill or with a seasoned Tri-Tip. 

Hope you find a mouthwatering jem in the bunch!

Sommelier Jeff Anderson