From Albariño to Zweigelt Rosé I’ve got you covered with a dreamy selection of seasonal wines to explore. From old standbys like Sancerre to new discoveries like Schiava there is something for everyone in this summer wine roundup. A great summer wine should be approachable, lively, and of course, refreshing. There are 15 weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day so there’s plenty of time to try them all!
Rosé
While everyone should drink rosé all year-round, summertime just begs for the crisp pink drink. Sophisticated and dry styles from Southern are the pinnacle for quality, but standouts are made around the world including Austria.
- 2018 Terre de Mistral Rosalie Provence Rosé ($19.99)
This stunning rosé is aromatic and perfumed with strawberries, rose petal, and violets. Piercing, refreshing acidity with a smooth texture. Its lively freshness makes it the perfect beach wine for the season. Pair with salty potato chips and fried chicken. - 2017 Lustig Zweigelt Rosé ($14.99)
This Austrian rosé is just delicious, with flavors of strawberry, melon, and a hint of dried green herbs. - 2018 L’Olivette Bandol Rosé ($22.99)
L’Olivette from the Mediterranean’s most serious rosé appellation, Bandol, is a bold blend of mostly Grenache, offering rich concentration. Fresh strawberry, hibiscus, and tangerine burst out of the glass.
Riesling
The noble Riesling grape is full of complexity, mouth-watering acidity, and vivacious freshness. Discover the many styles of Riesling which range on the scale from honeyed tropical sweetness, to bone-cracking dryness. Dry Riesling is a wonderful choice in warm summer weather due to the light alcohol content, high acidity, and natural fruit flavors. The best examples have the ability to age for decades in the bottle.
- 2017 Weingut Eugen Wehrheim Riesling Niersteiner Spiegelberg QbA Halbtrocken ($12.99)
While this style is slightly off dry or “Halbtrocken” the refreshing acidity creates balance and perfect harmony with the residual sugar. It is the perfect match for grilled sausages. - 2015 Kilikanoon Killermans Run Riesling, Clare Valley, Australia ($19.99)
Spicy white pepper, citrus blossom, ripe pineapple, white cherries, and lemon rind show off on this outstanding Clare Valley expression. - 2013 Wunsch and Mann Riesling Grand Cru Hengst Organic ($29.99)
This bone dry style from the best vineyard sites in Alsace offers exotic tropical fruit aromas of pineapple and citrus, along with subtle spice. A perfect match with rich flavors like smoked fish. This wine is aging well and it will continue to improve.
Sancerre
’s Loire Valley is the home of a simple summertime classic. While some mass produced wines from the region can be a bit one dimensional, the best examples are extremely rewarding. Schneider’s selections are made by serious winemakers in small batches offering aromatic and complex flavors of lemon-lime citrus, melon, green herbs, and stony minerality with rich texture.
- 2018 Gitton Silex Les Belles Dames Sancerre ($29.99)
Produced from vines grown on silex soils of the 12-acre vineyard, Les Belles Dames, this Sauvignon Blanc truly expresses a sense of place. Flinty minerality, acidity, and tart citrus fruit. This thirst quenching Sancerre has a wonderfully rich texture. - 2016 Cirotte Le Chene Marchand Sancerre ($39.99)
Smoky and spicy aromas and flavors from 18 months spent aging in small acacia barrels. This stunning Sancerre is full of ripe peach, honeydew melon, and lemon.
Albariño
The most well-known grape variety in Galicia flourishes in Rías Baixas, Albariño is considered Spain’s quintessential white wine. The sea influence is prominent and the best wines display a briny, salty character backed by zippy acidity. The granitic soils in Rías Baixas contribute to the mineral expression of the terroir. Think Pinot Grigio on steroids!
- 2017 Sonrío Cuando Llueve Albariño ($19.99)
Aromas of green apple, lemon, pear, and pineapple burst from the glass. The palate has a creamy and round texture along with racy acidity to create a balanced and lively white wine.
Summer Reds – don’t forget to chill!
While white wine and rosé are always the obvious choice, branch out and chill down these juicy reds. Every red wine should be served at cellar temperature, easily achieved with about 10 minutes in the refrigerator. However, there are some wines that, in summer, could be chilled down even more and enjoyed with reckless abandon.
- 2017 Castelfeder Schiava “Alte Reben” Alto Adige DOC ($19.99)
Schiava is an indigenous grape from Alto Adige in the Italian Alps. It is the local favorite for everyday drinking, as it is low in tannin, high in acid, loaded with red berry fruit, very food friendly, and just delicious! - 2015 Barrique Cellars Grenache, Paso Robles, California ($19.99)
Bright and fresh raspberry with notes of clove and white pepper spice. Well-balanced with bracing acidity and soft tannins.
Visit Elyse Genderson at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill to discover wines you love.
