Wines to Enjoy While You Can Still Dine Outdoors
As we come to the end of another great summer, there are some outstanding wines I would like to recommend before the cool nights put an end to our outdoor dining.
The following rosés have been consistently good for decades. Of course, rosé is not just a summer wine but can be enjoyed all year-round. It is a great choice for Thanksgiving dinner as rosé goes well with so many different foods.
Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rosé (Languedoc-Roussillon, France):
The 2022 Guilhem is airy and breezy, with the grace that makes it a real charmer. This pale-colored, beautifully textured rosé has impeccable balance. Pretty floral notes fill out the mid-palate, it offers plenty of depth and tons of appeal. Always a delicious wine, as well as an outstanding value.
Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence Rosé (Provence, France):
This delicious wine has been produced from organically grown grapes since the 1940s. It has bright raspberry and strawberry fruits, spicy aromas with hints of lavender and a dry finish. This rosé drinks light like a red.
Chateau de Pibarnon Rosé (Bandol, France):
This beautiful rosé is made from a blend of 65% Mourvèdre and 35% Cinsault certified organically grown. It has aromas of fresh berries, blood orange, and flowers, followed by a fleshy core of fruit with racy acidity. It is silky and dry.
The recommended white wines are more unusual wines that I have not been familiar with until recently.
Weingut Tement Grassnitzberg Sauvignon Blanc (Styria, Austria):
There are three main wine-growing regions in Austria, and the subregion of Sudsteiermark is different from the others in that the main white grape varietal is Sauvignon Blanc. Grassnitzberg is a single-vineyard wine from this subregion. “May be enjoyed young with lots of airing, but after 3-5 years it begins to shine,” according to Wine Advocate. “It is precise, deep, and clean, complex elegant and fine. This is a full-bodied, juicy, ripe, savory, and grippy Sauvignon Blanc.”
Pra Soave Classico Otto (Venetian, Italy):
This is a nicely balanced and very tasty white with aromas and flavors of lemon, pineapple, and peach. Creamy and crisp, the palate offers rich ripe Bartlett pear, apple, and almond. Tangy acidity keeps it bright and balanced. Excellent with pasta or rice-based dishes and vegetable soups, or as an aperitif.
Domaine Belargus Anjou Noir (Anjou, France):
This very old estate is 100% dedicated to producing Chenin Blanc wines. These are exceptional Chenin Blancs made organically and following biodynamic processes. The Anjou Noir is a light and beautifully balanced dry Chenin Blanc. The wine is juicy, but not overly fruity and with great complexity. This is a fabulous, delicate, and finessed Chenin.
The recommended red wines are great for the cooler weather but can still be enjoyed during the last days of summer.
La Posta Fazzio Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina):
This winery is led by the famed wine producer Laura Catena, and features wines made with grapes from growers located in the largest wine regions in Mendoza. The Fazzio Malbec comes from the Uco Valley. It delivers aromas of licorice, vanilla, and berries. The palate offers flavors of plum, cherry, and thyme with notes of oak and spice. An excellent value!
Birichino Saint Georges Zinfandel (Central Coast, California):
This is an incredibly unique Zinfandel, with aromas of spicy black and blue fruits, with violets and lavender. It has a silky texture with rich and round, juicy mouthwatering acidity. Don’t miss this amazing Zinfandel.
Tensley Syrah (Santa Barbara County, California):
Tensley is a family owned and operated winery in Santa Barbara, focused on producing single-vineyard Syrahs. The Santa Barbara Syrah is a blend of single-vineyard Syrahs. Powerful and fresh, with lots of bright acidity, along with blue and black fruits. It is generous, juicy, and easy to drink. It can be enjoyed for its freshness now, or will age 7-10 years.
Joey Tensley Fundamental Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Coast, California):
Joey Tensley and his wife Jennifer, owners of Tensley Winery, decided to make another level of California wines that are great quality values called Fundamental Wines. They make a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County grapes. Paso Robles fruit brings power, color, earth notes, currants and big, dry, rich tannins while the Sonoma County fruit keeps the wine fresh and balanced with pretty notes of plum and cherry.
Enjoy!
Please drink responsibly.
