Four Sensational Summer Sippers

Summer is almost here! Time to break out those light wines that go so well in hot weather. Here are four suggestions to keep it light this summer.

Muscat Grapes

Moscato

The “Moscato moment “is here to stay! This perky wine is crafted from Muscat Blanc grapes of the Muscat family, and has been used in winemaking for centuries. Despite the fact that over 200 varieties of Muscat grapes exist, only a few are used in wine production.

Moscato has a sweet, honeyed aroma similar to Gewurztraminer, and is usually crafted in a sweeter, light-bodied style making it one of the perfect wines for summer.

Serve a chilled Moscato with spicy Asian food to complement its flavor profile of citrus and white stone fruits.

Pinot Grigio Grapes

Pinot Grigio

This “grey” grape has a huge following, especially during the summer months. Pinot Grigio can be crafted in three different styles: dry with a focus on mineral flavors, dry with a nod to fruitiness, and as a late harvest sweet dessert wine.

Dry – Minerally

This type of Pinto Gris is aged in stainless steel tanks, which lets those more chalky, stone flavors shine through. Fresh and crisp, it goes wonderfully well with mussels and sushi.

Dry – Fruity

This style capitalizes on the flavors of melon, white stone fruits and apples, creating a very fruit-forward wine. Serve chilled with a light buttery or white-sauced pasta dish and seafood.

Sweet – Fruity

This style is prevalent in France and is crafted as a sweet dessert wine with a flavor profile of citrus and honey; an enjoyable late harvest wine for the approaching autumn.

Rosé

This wine has never garnered much respect, thanks to those gallon jugs that were popular back in the 1960s and ‘70s. But today things seem to be changing.

Rosé wines are not made from a specific grape(s). Instead, most are a blend of several grapes with the winemaker deciding what style to craft.  Rosé is usually made in a dry style, and as a semi-sweet. The color of the wine will also vary depending on the types of grapes blended and how long the wine was aged on the skins.

Definitely a wine to enjoy soon after purchasing. Rosé is very approachable and fun for picnics and casual dining during the warmer months ahead.

Gamay Noir

Gamay Noir

If you’re a die-hard red wine lover, those summer whites are just not going to cut it. But a Gamay wine will keep you “in the red” with a flavor profile of fresh berries and tart cherries with a floral nose. Gamay is best known as the grape used to craft Beaujolais. Take a bottle to the next BBQ and watch the reactions.

Summer's almost here - what are you drinking during the hot weather months?

~ Joy

Caposaldo Wine Review

Caposaldo Vineyard

Two sample bottles of wine arrived from Caposaldo Winery the other day making it the perfect time to do some Italian wine tasting.

Caposaldo is an Italian artisan winery that focuses on style. All of the grapes are harvested by hand and the wines are carefully crafted to bring out the best of the fruit.

I began with the Pinot Grigio, with grapes grown in northern Italy’s Delle Venezie region, well known for its volcanic rock and chalky clay soils. The Caposaldo whites go through a cold fermentation in stainless tanks, in order to bring out the wine’s true flavors. This Pinot Grig had the essence of peaches and pears with a hint of minerals, and the aroma of apples enveloped in crisp acidity. Hints of almonds led to a clean finish. My overall opinion: this is a nice, “classic Italian Pinot Grig” and should be served with seafood, poultry or pork.

The Chianti is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, Merlot and Malvasia grapes grown in the Chianti region of Tuscany. These grapes are also handpicked and undergo traditional vinification, including being pumped over at least four times a day. One-third of the wine is then aged in oak before bottling. Nice berry aromas with an undercurrent of herbs on the nose led to an outstanding cherry flavor; good body. My overall opinion: Nice berry/cherry flavors but the finish is a bit astringent and minerally.  Pair this wine with grilled or roasted meats, pizza, or red sauce pasta meals: this wine would go well with any classic Italian meal.

Caposaldo also offers several other wines including a Prosecco D.O.C from Veneto region of northern Italy, a Sweet Moscato, Sweet Peach Moscato, Sparkling Sweet Red and Sweet Pink Merlot Moscato. It's definitely worth trying a few well chilled bottles during these “dog days of August.”

~ Joy

(If you have a wine you’d like me to sample and review, message me for an address.)