Warm Weather Wines
This month’s top picks from the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center
Complied by: MICHAEL PERRY
As spring and summer approach and the weather gets warmer, people want to enjoy a glass of wine before dinner, after work to unwind, or simply to enjoy with friends in a social setting. For many, the thought of a big red wine on a warm day is not very appealing. So what types of wines work best in this situation?
Typically, either white wines, dry or a little sweet, dry rosés, and lighter-style reds are the wines of choice. These wines are not as heavy or viscous feeling on your palate. They are lower in alcohol because the grapes are harvested earlier, meaning less sugar to convert to alcohol during fermentation (alcohol adds to the perception of body or weight). Because these wines spend little or no time fermenting with their skins, extraction of color compounds and solid materials is limited, which also contributes to the lighter nature of these wines. They retain more natural fruit acid since they were harvested earlier in the season, and the result is a clean, crisp, pallet cleaning style. This is especially true for the whites and rosés.
All these factors, and the ability to chill the whites and rosés contribute to wines that are great alternatives to dinner wines for casual, warm weather sipping. The wines listed here are examples, and also demonstrate the grape growing diversity of the Lodi region. Cheers!
Vino Con Brio 2007 Pinot Grigio
Medium gold color, the wine features core fruit aromas of pear and peach with distinctive floral notes. The wine’s rich flavors mimic its aromas. The finish is clean and refreshing. This wine is perfect for appetizers, pastas with white sauce, poultry, or fish. ($16) www.vinoconbrio.com
E2 Family Winery 2006 Verdelho
Yellow-gold in color, this Verdelho offers aromas and flavors of tropical fruits with a hint of citrus. The wine is a nice balance of natural sweetness and tart acidity. This is a perfect cocktail wine or sipping wine, but also pairs well with moderately spicy foods. ($16) www.e2familywinery.com
LangeTwins 2007 Sauvignon Blanc
The wine is light gold with a hint of green. Aromas of lemon, lime, grapefruit, and melon lead to citrus flavors and a rich mouth feel which creates a smooth lingering finish. Excellent as a warm weather sipping wine, it also pairs nicely with light appetizers, poultry, and fish. ($14) www.langetwins.com
Peltier Station 2007 Viognier
Light straw gold in appearance, the wine’s natural sweetness is augmented by citrus and floral aromas and flavors. A rich, lingering finish makes this wine the perfect summer sipper. It can also be enjoyed with rich or moderately spicy foods and aged cheeses. ($15) www.peltierstation.com
Onus 2007 Chardonnay
Clear and bright gold in appearance, this unique Chardonnay exhibits core fruit aromas and flavors of pear, peach, and nectarine. Unoaked, this wine is crisp, clean, and refreshing. Serve with appetizers, pasta with white sauce, oysters, poultry, and fish. ($17) www.onuswines.com
Campus Oaks 2007 White Zinfandel
Salmon colored, this white Zinfandel offers fresh, fruity aromas and flavors. The wine is moderately sweet but not syrupy. White Zinfandel is great for new wine tasters because its flavors and tastes are pleasing to all. Served well chilled as a sipping wine, it also pairs well with moderately spicy foods. ($7) www.gnekowwinery.com
Uvaggio 2007 Barbera Rosato
Pink with light red tones, the Uvaggio Barbera Rosato offers aromas and flavors of strawberry, red berry, and tropical fruits. The wine is dry with bright acidity that makes it the perfect wine for lightly grilled meats and vegetables and all types of pasta. ($12) www.uvaggio.com
Benson Ferry 2006 95240 “Old Vine” Zinfandel
The wine is a light purple-red with nice clarity. Red and black berry fruit aromas and flavors are complimented by moderate oak and black pepper. The wine is medium-bodied and has a pleasant berry and spice finish. A great summer sipping red that also pairs well with pasta of all kinds and grilled meats and vegetables. ($13) www.bensonferry.com
Oak Ridge Winery 2005 OZV “Old Vine” Zinfandel
This wine is a pretty purple-red color. It offers aromas of berry jam, black pepper, light chocolate, and spicy oak. This smooth, medium-bodied Zinfandel has flavors of red berry jam and black pepper and a pleasant lingering finish of fruit and spice. This wine is great before dinner but is versatile enough to serve with burgers, pasta, and grilled meats and vegetables. ($15) www.oakridgewinery.com
Bella Vigna 2006 Barbera
This Bella Vigna Barbera is garnet red with bright aromas of cherry and cranberry. Dark berry flavors are augmented with light oak and soft tannins. Medium-bodied, the wine is a little more acidic than most reds, allowing it to be served with foods that might normally be reserved for whites, like pasta with a creamy white sauce. It also pairs well with most red sauce pastas, rich creamy cheeses, and grilled foods of all types. ($14)
