Although at times football weather, Summer is here, and that means a temporary abandonment of the heavier reds and stronger whites for lighter fare. Here’s a list of our favorites this Summer; as usual, all of these are moderately priced (under $20, because last I checked, the TARP money hadn’t yet been deposited) and all are dry:
Whites: Forget Chard, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc, we’ve been enjoying a Vermentino from Sardinia, the 2007 Argiolas Costamolino.
- This is a dry white that balances acidity with tropical fruit and is not aged in wood. It pairs well with a cold pasta salad containing fresh veggies. Also goes well with spicy Asian dishes.
Reds: The winner this Summer is Cosantino Winery’s The Med (2005), a blend of Mediterranean grape varietals
This wine is not a heavy red. It pairs well with any pasta in a red sauce or pizza. The notes are cherries, tamarind, and ripe tannins. The wine is barrel-aged for 7 months, but the oak taste is subtle.
In second place, I would put an inexpensive yet well done French Bordeaux from the Medoc appellation: the 2005 Chateau La Lauzette
This is a cab-based blend that can be drunk young or ensconced on your wine rack to drink several years from now. It has only a hint of the French barnyard notes that drive us crazy if overdone.
Coffee! A beverage that you can enjoy at 7 AM on a Saturday in July. As I write this, I’m finishing up a cup of Summer Solstice Blend from Intelligentsia. This is direct trade coffee from our favorite coffee purveyor (take that Starbucks!) As the vendor says, this coffee with its butterscotch notes is reminiscent of a great Chardonnay.
So, what are you drinking this Summer and why? Let me know.
My goal is to update this Blog more often, but with several colleagues on vacation, guess who fills in?
Thanks for blogging with me thus far!
