Perfect Wines for Summer Wed, Jun 26, 24 SUMMER IS HERE!Time to drink beautiful roses; crisp, bright whites; soft, fruity reds; sparkling wines for spritzes and celebratory toasts to graduates and brides - in sum, it's a time of year to bask in the deliciousness of sunshine and good wine(s). We've tasted some mighty fine wines in the Wineology classroom recently. About a month ago, with temperatures already climbing into the upper 80s, we did a class called "Sipping into Summer." A surprise popular favorite from that class was the Faena Rose Vinho Verde. It has the light spritz that's characteristic of Portuguese Vinho Verdes, and being a rose, it has a nose full of fresh strawberry and raspberry, with these flavor notes and some plum coming through on the nice clean finish. Vinho Verdes are low-alcohol wines that make for perfect accompaniments to light lunches by the pool. This one is 10% ABV. AND it's a triple-point green tag wine. A home run, for sure. More Triple Point Wines Another very pleasant surprise from that class was the Butterfly Fields Chardonnay. When you're entertaining in the summer, it's a good idea to have a bottle of Chardonnay in the fridge. It's a wine that's great to sip on its own and also pairs well with everything from potato chips to cheese to chicken to cheesecake. This one is buttery but not excessively so. It has a lovely mouthfeel and notes of honeysuckle, pineapple, and creme brulee. And what a pretty label! Speaking of pretty labels, there are several among the roses. Wolffer's Summer in a Bottle is one of them, and there's the new M de Minuty, and Gassier Esprit, Summer Water, and more. Shopping for rose is so fun! For those who drink red wine year-round and enjoy everything from a more fruit-forward, lighter-bodied Pinot Noir to a big, juicy Cabernet Sauvignon, there were some stand-outs in those areas, too. Tasting the Primarius Pinot Noir out of Oregon was a treat. Primarius means "remarkable" in Latin, and this one is crafted by the high-profile winemaker Sarah Cabot. It delivers. There's bramble fruit and bing cherry on the palate, with lovely hints of cinnamon and clove on the finish. No wonder this vintage - 2021 - got 89 Points from Wine Enthusiast. As for a decadent Cabernet Sauvignon? I liked this one so much I made it one of my Staff Picks for summer 2024. It's the 2022 Beau Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon. With its bold, dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cassis balanced with subtle oak nuances and firm but not punchy tannins, it's a wine that drinks beautifully and pairs perfectly with steak, burgers, and ribs. We've set up a selection of summertime wines by the Info Desk at the front of the store, where you'll find some fun picks that work with whatever direction you want to go. Look for new Staff Pick selections, too, including a Sancerre, the Romeo Sauvignon Blanc from Spain, a perky white Sangria, an Italian Vermentino, a big Spanish Monastrell, and many others. We are also always happy to make recommendations. Today's forecast? Sunny with a chance of wine. By the way, if you want to join the new Exit 9 Wine Club, we're putting together the next quarter's selections for release on August 1. The Club is a great way to be guaranteed a selection of winning wines that come with tasting notes and pairing suggestions. All you have to do is open and enjoy.Learn more by clicking the button below! Exit 9 Wine Club Thank you, Exit 9 wine lovers, for your continued support and enthusiasm. Cheers! By Dominique De Vito
