Best Inexpensive Wines, Cocktails for Summer
When the summer sun starts beating down, nothing is more refreshing than a crisp glass of wine or a cold frozen cocktail after a day at the beach. "Early Show" contributor Katie Lee shared a range of inexpensive wines and cocktails that will keep you cool on warm summer nights.
Boxed Wines:
Domaine Le Garrigon - 2008 Domaine Le Garrigon is a blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah coming from Côtes-du-Rhône. The wine is medium-bodied with both red and black fruit and black pepper notes. Garrigon is perfect for the summer as it will pair beautifully with grilled meats-from lamb kabobs to turkey burgers to steaks. The vineyards are certified organic and this three-liter box holds four regular bottles of wine and will keep fresh for up to three weeks. $41
Yellow+Blue Malbec - From a marketing standpoint, the complete package is genius, but is the wine any good? Having seen other efforts offer poor juice; we were skeptical. The wine is great and perfect for a barbecue picnic. A medium- to full-bodied wine with fine tannins and a lingering, complex finish. Yellow+Blue is certified organic wine in an environmentally-friendly package. $12
California Natural Products, Calnaturale Chardonnay - We think this fun, tasty Chardonnay from Northern California in the convenient and environmentally friendly Tetra Pak is the perfect picnic wine! While not overly complex, it delivers a lot of pleasure. Pair this wine with pasta, fruit and cheese. $7
White Wines:
Spring Seed Wine Co., Four O'Clock Chardonnay - Produced from a single-vineyard in South Australia, this Chardonnay is unoaked and has delicious stone fruit and floral aromatics. Acidity keeps the wine lively. Enjoy with a wide range of food from grilled pork chops to lobster. $16
Chateau du Champ des Treilles, Vin Passion Sauvignon Blanc Blend - Sainte-Foy Bordeaux is known for producing value, white wines. It just so happens they're delicious, too, with mouth-watering acidity and floral notes. Great as an apertif, or with cheese and seafood. $15
Chateau du Champ des Treilles, Vin Passion Sauvignon Blanc Blend - Sainte-Foy Bordeaux is known for producing value, white wines. It just so happens they're delicious, too, with mouth-watering acidity and floral notes. Great as an apertif, or with cheese and seafood. $15
Red and Rose Wines:
Montinore Pinot Noir - The 2008 Pinot Noir is the product of a lovely Indian Summer. Pinots just loves a long, slow ripening period, and that's just what it got in 2008. The colors are deep and ruby. The aromatics are of clean, very rich, ripe fruit, without any cooked or jammy notes. The acids are perfectly balanced, with mouth-filling, full-bodied wines with fine-grained, elegant tannins. $18
La Croix Du Prieur Grenache Blend - Coming from a medieval plot inside the city of Marseille, this wine is classically Provencal with fresh berry fruit and crisp acidity. A versatile food wine, this will match everything from garden salad to grilled meat. $16
Christian Venier, La Gautrie Cabernet Franc - We love this wine. It has a low alcohol level, expressive aromatics, excellent acidity and is a perfect food partner. Black pepper, olive, cherry and earthy notes combine for a complex nose. Serve slightly chilled. $17
Wine descriptions courtesy of Appellation Wines & Spirits.
For cocktail recipes, go to Page 2.
Cocktails:
Frozen Southsiders
INGREDIENTS:
6 ounces gin
2 cups lemonade
2 cups ice
20 fresh mint leaves
METHOD:
Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve in goblets.
Grappa Fizz
INGREDIENTS:
1 ounce grappa
6 green grapes
Juice of 1/2 lime
3 ounces or more, club soda
METHOD:
Begin by muddling the grapes with the 1 ounce of grappa. Combine the muddled grapes and juice of 1/2 lime in a cocktail or old fashioned glass over ice. Top with club soda and serve immediately.
Vermouth Spritz
INGREDIENTS:
1 ounce sweet vermouth
3 ounces prosecco
Orange slices and green olives for garnish
METHOD:
In a champagne flute combine the sweet vermouth and the prosecco. Garnish with an orange slice and green olives. Serve immediately.