Nine summer wines to enjoy this season

We are now in the full swing of summer and I want to share those wonderful whites and Rosés that go so well with summer fare. We must also not forget about the reds that complement our favorite summertime dinner pastime, the barbecue. Reds and Rosés are great with grilled meats. A refreshing white wine is perfect for grilled chicken and fish. Here is a selection of summer wines that I have enjoyed recently that make ideal wines for a celebration or any time during the upcoming months.

White Summer Wines:

Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône 2016 Samorëns Blanc: The red label wine focuses on the traditional method of blending from various vineyards in the Rhône. A blend of Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Marsanne makes for a very fresh crisp wine with flavors of stone fruit, honey, and hints of spice on the finish. The honey is attributed to the Viognier and although not the largest portion in this blend, its profile is more pronounced. This is a very refreshing wine.

Amalaya Blanco Esperanza Por un Milagro 2016: A unique wine in the fact that this Argentinean winery combines Torrontés with Riesling. The grapes come from the Northern Calchaqui Valley in Salta. The Riesling adds a dimension that is quite nice and makes the wine a sweeter quality that paired well with pork ribs. The aromas are white flowers and citrus while the flavors of the tropics came through especially pineapple. There is also citrus and the Riesling brings for spice on the finish.

Rosé Summer Wines:

Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery Rosé of Pinot Noir 2016: This wine is charged zing and spunk. A lively pale pink wine with citrusy flavors gives way to wonderful acidity and minerality. The grapes come from the Dutton Ranch vineyards in the Green Valley sub-area of the Russian River Valley. A portion of the juice was fermented in 3-year old barrels.

Rutini Trumpeter 2015 Rosé of Malbec: A pale apricot or salmon color wine that is produced in the Tupungato area if Mendoza. The wine has aroma of Gardenia and rose. Those beautiful aromatic perfumes give a feeling of the wine being very tropical. A refreshing and bright wine with flavors of Raspberry as well as some tropical notes. As the wine sits citrus flavors develop.  This is a Rosé that really grows on you.

Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Rosé 2016: Every year I look forward to the Rosé from Les Vignes de Bila-Haut. This wine is typical of what is produced in the Pays d’Oc region. A blend of primarily Grenache with Cinsault and Syrah, this wine is bright, fresh with aromas of roses while citrus, stone fruit, and some tropical notes on the palate give way to some spicy undertones on the finish.

Red Summer Wines:

Swanson Vineyards 2013 Merlot Napa Valley: Swanson Vineyards was established in 1985 and is one of many wineries in Napa that hired Andre Tchelistcheff to steer owner Clarke Swanson in a direction that is still ever-present today. Andre suggested focusing on Merlot rather than Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasting the Merlot this advice proves true to this day. Swanson’s Merlot is outstanding. On the nose, one finds ripe aromas of mocha tobacco and cardamom. A fruit-forward wine with its rich and velvety textures displays ripe fruits of cherry and plum.

Achaval Ferrer 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza: A supple and complex wine that is well-rounded and fruit-forward. What impresses me most is the outstanding quality of this wine at such a young age. A big wine that is rich, opulent, and fruit-forward with flavors of mocha, dark fruit, and plum and one that pairs with a steak.

Corona De Aragón Special Selection 2013: This Spanish wine from the up and coming Cariñena D.O. combines Cariñena and Garnacha. The vines are 40-years old. A medium-bodied wine with smoky tobacco aromas permeates the balance with a more masculine style. The wine is fruit-forward with the richness and depth of stewed fruit, cloves, and cinnamon. The wine pairs nicely with grilled meats especially steak.

Sassoregale Sangiovese 2014: Having visited Maremma I am always interested in sampling the wines from the region. This lighter Sangiovese is one of those red wines that could be served at either room temperature or chilled. The wine displays flavors of bright cherry with some spice on the finish.

Whether it be red, white or pink, any of these summer wines will be fantastic to enjoy with your summer dining fare.