On the Wine Side - End of Summer Sips! Tue, Aug 05, 25 It’s August. Time to soak up the last of true summer – by the pool, at the beach, on the boat, at the track, camping, hiking, picnicking at a concert – it’s that time of year. Don’t forget the wine!We’ve been exploring all kinds of summer-friendly wines in the Wineology classes, and these were some of the stand-outs. French Pool Toy. As with anything, the package may look great, but the more important thing is what’s inside it. Fact: The packaging looks great and is great. It’s a lightweight plastic bottle with a plastic twist top that has hinges on it so you don’t have to worry about losing it when you open the bottle. Every part of the bottle is recyclable. But what’s even better is that the wine is really good. It’s a classic Provençal-style rosé crafted from Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, so it is crisp and dry and refreshing, with a beautiful red fruit note on the finish. I am a sucker for a good rosé, as I find it such a food-friendly wine. This one is tres bon! If only we could be going from the south of France to Sicily – wait, we can! In our glasses, of course. Another class favorite (and one of my personal faves) is a beautiful white wine from Sicily called Fiano. Fiano is the grape. The wine is complex and layered. A dry white with notes of everything from pear to yellow apple to a slight nuttiness, it’s medium-bodied, almost waxy - but in a wonderful way – and there’s an acidity that balances everything. It’s an easy-drinking, really enjoyable wine, and you can impress your friends by serving something they’ve probably never heard of but will be wondering where they can find it. Multo bene! From the Old World we’ll go to the New World of wines. Specifically, New Zealand. There are so many Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand that it can be dizzying to make a selection you know you’ll enjoy. The winner in one of the wine classes – the Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc. It’s bright, zesty, and mouthwatering, for sure, as most Sauvignon Blancs are from NZ, and this one offers up some lime and pineapple with some herbaceous notes. It’s a delight. No wonder it has scored 90+ points from Wine Spectator for six consecutive vintages, with the reviewer of the 2023 vintage noting: “silky smooth lemon meringue, mango, tangerine and fresh cut apple… candied ginger and green tea… salted lime… lingering on the mouthwatering finish.” We’ve tasted many wonderful red wines in the classes, and here are a couple that are particularly nice for August: the Gearbox Pinot Noir, and the Granite Hill Old Vine Zinfandel. Both are “Green Tag Gems,” so you get great wine with extra savings. Pinot Noir is a nice red in the heat because it’s lighter-bodied. It can be served slightly chilled and still yield its delicate and delicious notes of raspberry and strawberry that shine through the wine’s typically bright yet balanced acidity. The Gearbox from California delivers, and it’s moving fast, so if you want it, come in and get it. The vintage on hand – the 2021 - was rated 90 Points by Wine Enthusiast. The Granite Hill Old Vine Zinfandel is bigger than the Pinot Noir, for sure, but if it’s steak or chops you’re putting on the grill, this one is your food’s best friend. It’s from fruit grown in Lodi, California, considered the epicenter of Zin production. The 2020 vintages is loaded with aromas of blackberry jam, followed by flavors of black cherries, strawberries, soft peppercorn, and a sweet & smoky spice that gives a long, flavorful finish. Another red wine that surprised everyone for its approachability and smoothness was the Ego Bodegas Acuma from Jumilla in Spain. It’s a blend of Monastrell, Petit Verdot, and Syrah. A deep purple color in the glass, the nose and the palate are full of black fruit notes like blackberry and plum, with hints of chocolate. It’s ripe and round and silky and big. This is a great campfire wine. It would actually pair really well with s’mores. Gracias, España! Wine education classes take their own vacation in August, but they’ll be back in September and October, so if you’re interested, keep an eye out for an email in a few weeks. Other news “on the wine side” includes our pride in having a great selection of so many award-winning wines from New York State. This includes wines from Weis Vineyards, which just won Winery of the Year at the NY Wine Classic. This is the third time Weis has gotten this prestigious award in the past four years. Wow! Their top-scoring wines were the Dry Rose (Best “Pink” Wine), and the Grϋner Veltliner (Best White Wine). We have them both. No need to go to all the way to Hammondsport! If you’re looking for low-cal, zero or low sugar wines, we have a new “Lifestyle Wines” section with wines from several producers. They’re on a display across from the Organic wines in the middle of the store. And also there’s a whole collection of Octopoda wines with engaging octopus tentacles on the label. Very fun for summer. I did NOT use AI to generate this information, but I am curious about how it answers wine questions. I asked ChatGPT, “What's some great advice for enjoying wine and not getting too caught up in it?” Here’s what it said. I’m quite delighted with the response, so I had to share. Happy August, everyone, wherever you may be soaking up the sun. Cheers! 1. Remember: Wine is a beverage, not a benchmark. You don’t need to memorize every subregion of Burgundy to enjoy a glass of Pinot. If it tastes good to you, it's good wine. Full stop. 2. Drink what you like—not what you're “supposed” to like. Some people worship Bordeaux like it's holy water. Others love a $10 bottle of Moscato with ice cubes. Both are valid. Don’t let wine snobs kill your vibe. 3. Use all five senses. Look at the color, smell it, swirl it, sip it slowly, and feel how it changes as it warms up. But don’t make it homework. If it becomes a science project, take a breath and just enjoy the damn glass. 4. Keep a “no-notes night.” Once in a while, resist the urge to analyze. No checking vintages, no scribbling tasting notes, no score tracking. Just drink and enjoy the company you’re with—or the silence you're enjoying. 5. Wine is better with food and friends. Don’t isolate it. A slice of pizza with Chianti? Chef’s kiss. Cheap sparkling with salty popcorn? Gourmet experience unlocked. It’s about the pairing of moments, not just flavor profiles. 6. Don't chase prestige—chase curiosity. By Dominique De Vito
