End of Summer Sips

Ahhh, the end of August. Time to soak up what's left of summer, and I hope you're doing just that wherever you may be. While I won't be heading to the beach, I will be enjoying the bounty of the season - super-fresh veggies from the farmer's market, including tomatoes and corn and even zucchini. I'm also planning to indulge in shellfish and anything off the grill. All of this deliciousness is enhanced with wines. After all, as the British wine critic Michael Broadbent said, "Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life's most civilized pleasures." Some top picks?

It's hard to resist the Forever Summer Rose from Mirabeau. With its perfect pink color and classic dry rose flavors of bright citrus complemented by a beautiful red berry note on the finish, this rose will be making regular appearances on my table for the next few weeks. It's a great reminder that summer is also a state of mind.

We opened a bottle of Hunter Chaps Chardonnay from California for people to taste in the store last weekend, and all agreed it's a lovely buttery offering that would pair perfectly with shellfish, chicken dishes, or zesty salads. It's a Triple Point wine, too. 

Another delightful crisp white to enjoy on a hot day is an Italian Gavi. The one we have from Natale Verga is a real winner. Gavi is a region in Piedmont, Italy, and the wine is made with Cortese grapes. A beautiful yellow color, on the nose there's melon and papaya. On the palate the wine is fruity and fresh, but also dry and super-smooth. Another perfect pairing with any kind of seafood.

There's always room for reds, even in hot weather. The Embroidery Pinot Noir from Monterey in California is lighter-bodied and fruit-forward. Serve it chilled or even over ice for extra refreshment. It's great with anything grilled. And it's a currently a Triple Point wine.

When the sun goes down and you want to indulge in a big dry red - or if that's your preference any time - try the Austin Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. This just came into the store in June, and it's getting a lot of looks. It's an entry-level offering from Hope Family Wines, whos bigger Austin Hope Paso Cab has twice been named a Top 10 Wine of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine (it's also three times the price). The Austin Paso Robles is similarily decadent, with rich, dark fruit notes on the nose and palate along with hints of nutmeg and vanilla. It's a full-bodied red with refined tannins and an "I'm here" attitude. 

And don't forget the bubbles! Sparkling wine makes every gathering festive and fun. We tried the Nacrila Lambrusco in a Wineology class last month and were all quite pleasantly surprised. It's effervescent, fruity, and not too sweet. A delicious aperitif. If it's Prosecco you crave, the La Gioiosa is a hidden gem. We tried that in a different Wineology class and it was a winner. No wonder it's one of Caitlin's Staff Picks!