Extended daylight, al fresco dining, fireworks ā there are a lot of reasons to raise a glass to summer. Weāre toasting the season with our friendsĀ atĀ WincĀ and picking up tasting tips along the way. They makeĀ delicious wine at a fantastic price and deliver them to your doorstep, so you never have to go a night without aĀ glass of wine beforeĀ bed.
Rachel Fox, theirĀ resident wine expert responsible for introducing new bottles to restaurants and shops, gave us the inside scoop on whatās trending this summer, the āgrows-there-goes-thereā approach for pairing wine with food andĀ more.
First things first, whatās on your summer wine bucket list?
Summer ā15 is all about the throwback! Classic white varietals that have been on the back burner for a while ā like Viognier, Muscadet, Roussanne, Chenin Blanc ā are coming back in a big way. Every hip wine list in Los Angeles has at least one New World interpretation of those classic French beauties available. Whatās better than a stunning glass of Chenin Blanc? A stunning glass of sparkling Chenin Blanc paired with ParachuteāsĀ white linen beddingā¦weāre sparkling everything this summer.
First things first, whatās on your summer wine bucket list?
Summer ā15 is all about the throwback! Classic white varietals that have been on the back burner for a while ā like Viognier, Muscadet, Roussanne, Chenin Blanc ā are coming back in a big way. Every hip wine list in Los Angeles has at least one New World interpretation of those classic French beauties available. Whatās better than a stunning glass of Chenin Blanc? A stunning glass of sparkling Chenin Blanc paired with ParachuteāsĀ white linen beddingā¦weāre sparkling everything this summer.
Speaking of sparkling, American vintners are gaining buzz for producing some really fabulous bubbles. What are some names we should know?
Along with the release of our first sparkling wine, Oh Snap!, be on the lookout for lots more bubbles to come this fall and holiday season! But weāre not the only ones. I asked Ryan Zotovich, our Director of Winemaking, for some of his list of top producers that have recently joined the sparkling game. He points outĀ Sea SmokeĀ andĀ Brewer-Clifton, along with theĀ Under the WireĀ guys who should be releasing their sparklings any day now. Jordan Salcito, the beverage director ofĀ MomofukuĀ in New York, is also making some sparkling under her labelĀ Bellus. She teamed up withĀ Copain WinesĀ in Sonoma to produce La Vie En Bulles.
Speaking of sparkling, American vintners are gaining buzz for producing some really fabulous bubbles. What are some names we should know?
Along with the release of our first sparkling wine, Oh Snap!, be on the lookout for lots more bubbles to come this fall and holiday season! But weāre not the only ones. I asked Ryan Zotovich, our Director of Winemaking, for some of his list of top producers that have recently joined the sparkling game. He points outĀ Sea SmokeĀ andĀ Brewer-Clifton, along with theĀ Under the WireĀ guys who should be releasing their sparklings any day now. Jordan Salcito, the beverage director ofĀ MomofukuĀ in New York, is also making some sparkling under her labelĀ Bellus. She teamed up withĀ Copain WinesĀ in Sonoma to produce La Vie En Bulles.
It happens every year: We bust out the BBQ and then totally blank on what to stock in the cooler (besides beer, naturally). What wines play well with grilled food ā especially more adventurous, globally inspired meals?
BBQs can be tricky. Bold flavored sauces and finger foods can be tough to pair with. With American hot dogs, burgers or ribs, pick a US or Australian white or rosĆØ sparkler. If you have European sausages on the grill, try something from Germany or Austria. If youāreĀ going a Latin direction with carne asada or pork carnitas, try an Argentinian or Chilean bubbly. The chilled wine will be refreshing during a warm day outside, and the carbonation should be helpful in keeping the palate cleansed.
It happens every year: We bust out the BBQ and then totally blank on what to stock in the cooler (besides beer, naturally). What wines play well with grilled food ā especially more adventurous, globally inspired meals?
BBQs can be tricky. Bold flavored sauces and finger foods can be tough to pair with. With American hot dogs, burgers or ribs, pick a US or Australian white or rosĆØ sparkler. If you have European sausages on the grill, try something from Germany or Austria. If youāreĀ going a Latin direction with carne asada or pork carnitas, try an Argentinian or Chilean bubbly. The chilled wine will be refreshing during a warm day outside, and the carbonation should be helpful in keeping the palate cleansed.
Wine cocktails are also on our radar. What are your tips for for a crowd-pleaser that packs a punch?
Sangria is arguably the perfect summer cocktail ā easy to drink and hard to mess up! You can be super flexible with your recipes, depending on what fruits you find in your refrigerator. I recommend at least one citrus fruit and either berries or tropical fruits. Identify some of the flavors in the wine that youāre using with your palate, and use that flavor profile to pick your ingredients.Ā If youāre feeling a little ambitious, WincĀ has also mixed up some seriouslyĀ delicious alternatives.
Wine cocktails are also on our radar. What are your tips for for a crowd-pleaser that packs a punch?
Sangria is arguably the perfect summer cocktail ā easy to drink and hard to mess up! You can be super flexible with your recipes, depending on what fruits you find in your refrigerator. I recommend at least one citrus fruit and either berries or tropical fruits. Identify some of the flavors in the wine that youāre using with your palate, and use that flavor profile to pick your ingredients.Ā If youāre feeling a little ambitious, WincĀ has also mixed up some seriouslyĀ delicious alternatives.
Have we reached peak rosĆØ? Itās everywhere (seriously, just check Instagram). Beyond the classic ProvenƧal style (which has been produced for 2,600 years ā talk about a trend with staying power), what are some fresh ways to drink pink?
When it comes to rosĆØ, you canāt go wrong with a grows-there-goes-there approach: If youāre having Italian, grab an Italian rosĆØ. The pairing will not only be harmonious, but youāll also discover a lot of different countries have versatile pink drinks. There are also more and more different varietals being sparkledā¦donāt hesitate to grab for a rosĆØ of Tempranillo or Valdiguie for a new take on the rosĆØ experience. For more rosĆ© options, check outĀ these picksĀ from WincāsĀ Chief Wine Officer, Brian Smith.
Have we reached peak rosĆØ? Itās everywhere (seriously, just check Instagram). Beyond the classic ProvenƧal style (which has been produced for 2,600 years ā talk about a trend with staying power), what are some fresh ways to drink pink?
When it comes to rosĆØ, you canāt go wrong with a grows-there-goes-there approach: If youāre having Italian, grab an Italian rosĆØ. The pairing will not only be harmonious, but youāll also discover a lot of different countries have versatile pink drinks. There are also more and more different varietals being sparkledā¦donāt hesitate to grab for a rosĆØ of Tempranillo or Valdiguie for a new take on the rosĆØ experience. For more rosĆ© options, check outĀ these picksĀ from WincāsĀ Chief Wine Officer, Brian Smith.
Any final advice?
āWhen in doubt, do bubbles!ā
Cheers to that! To celebrate summer sipping, WincĀ is currently offering 50% off your first box today.Ā Shop now.
Any final advice?
āWhen in doubt, do bubbles!ā
Cheers to that! To celebrate summer sipping, WincĀ is currently offering 50% off your first box today.Ā Shop now.
