Light Wines for Dog Days of Summer
What's the best vintage wine for your table during these dog days of summer?
From chilled wines to deep reds, on "The Early Show" Friday, wine guru Gary Vaynerchuk, host of "Wine Library TV" shared his picks for great wines under $15.
There is an endless variety of wines out there, some light, and some heavy. In fact, you can get wines with almost any tone or flavor you are looking for these days. But as the temperature goes up in August, generally, you are looking for wines that keep it light.
White Wines:
I Stefanini Monte De Toni Soave 2006-$13.98
A full-bodied, intense peach explosion. Chardonnay drinkers accustomed to a big white wine but looking for something different will adore this clean but full flavored white. Dry, fruity and refreshing on the palate. A fine, rather light Soave that has a "centered" minerality thanks to the volcanic soil of the vineyard. Aroma characterized by pear and plum followed by floral notes such as hawthorn and elder, finishing with delicate fruit. The flavors are one with the perfumes, with a long finish. This wine has a definite and pleasing minerality, and is perfect to drink now, chilled.
Salvard Unique Sauvignon Blanc 2008-$13.98
This wine delivers all the minerality and citrus flavors you'd find in top notch Sancerre from France's Loire Valley, all at under 15 bones. Sancerre fans will rave for this crisp white imported by the legendary Kermit Lynch. Vibrant citrus flavors and excellent minerality highlight this 100% single estate Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. Again, a very nice wine for summer, especially chilled to bring out the crispness.
Bernhard Eifel Max E Riesling 2007-$12.98
Riesling to me is the most important white grape in the world and to some it gets a bad rap. The tropical nose on this dry Riesling rocks me with a rainbow of quince, passion fruit, and lime, and there is just a pinch of sugar to balance out the effort. Tremendous stuff! It's super crisp and elegant. Bright and vibrant lime, green apple, quince, and passion fruit come together with great mineral and crushed rock components. Outstanding expression of Riesling, and an amazing value to boot. Keep in mind, this only has a pinch of sugar, and it is really there to keep the wine balanced, which it accomplishes VERY well!
Red Wines:
Tohu Pinot Noir Cuvee Marlborough 2006-$9.98
Ever since Hollywood told us to drink Pinot Noir, there's been a flood of poor to downright undrinkable Pinot Noir under $10 in the marketplace. This little wine from New Zealand is a noteworthy exception, delivering tangy cherry and raspberry flavors with gentle oak and an herbaceous quality that reminds me of a late summer evening. Best had from 2009 to 2011, it's a great light wine for the summer for those who like reds, but are avoiding the heaviness of a hearty red.
Quinta Da Cortezia Touriga Nacional 2005-$11.98
This Portuguese value is a great late summer / early Fall kind of play, with its tree bark and violet action set against flavors of chocolate and dark cherry. Made from 100% Touriga Nacional, it's a terrific palate expander. Very juicy and bright, with vibrant flavors of cherry, plum and dark chocolate. There's also a typical Touriga herbal and mineral edge to this, with lots of iron. Drink now through 2012. 1,650 cases made.
Botromagno Primitivo 2005-$13.99
Primitivo is Italy's Zinfandel. This wine delivers a smoky character in addition to its ripe, dark fruit flavors. A home run at summer barbecues as it cuts right through the red meats to bring home the flavor. The 2005 Primitivo from Botromagno reveals a plump, super-ripe personality loaded with smoke, dark cherries, earthiness, and leather. It offers notable complexity at this level. This wine will find its greatest admirers among readers who enjoy a full-bodied, very ripe style of wine. Primitivo is believed to be a relative of Zinfandel. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2009.