Porch pounders that are sure to help beat the heat!
By Laurie Collins, Ceo and Co-founder of Sip Happens Wine Shoppe
Summertime is in full swing! Most of us are spending our down time at the pool, lake, beach or park. Though we all love our Cabernet, Zinfandel and Syrah, it’s time for them to move on over and let some lighter reds, rosés, and white wines take center stage.
Sparkling wines are always a playful addition to summertime. Keep it light and refreshing with sparkling wine from Spain. A Cava, like Naveran, is a perfect bubble for the outdoors — and partners wonderfully with orange juice for a tasty mimosa!
Looking for something without bubbles? There are plenty of other options. Sauvignon Blanc is a delightful choice. French Sauv Blancs are refreshing and mineral driven. L’Aumonier Sauvignon Blanc or Les Champs Clos Sancerre are lovely choices.
Ready to try something new? Sip Happens has a plethora of white varietals to keep it fun in the sun! How about a Vinho Verde, Vermentino, or a lovely un-oaked Chardonnay? And if you’re ready to get crazy, try a Muscadet, Picpoul, Arneis, Grenache Blanc, or a Rioja Blanco. All these varietals are excellent selections to chill things down and pair beautifully with seafood dishes.
When talking about wines that keep you cool, we cannot forget to mention the Queen of Summertime Wines: Rosé! Did you know that Rosé is made from red varietals? Their color is determined by the amount of time the juice spends in contact with the grape skin, which is why some are a delicate, pale color and others are a more vibrant pink. Try Rosé made from all kinds of varietals: Revelation Rosé, from Columbia Valley, Washington; Haru Rosé, from Murcia, Spain; or Domaine Chateaumar Rosé, a Grenache Rosé from Rhone Valley, France.
If you’re in the mood for a red wine, take heart. There are plenty of options to enjoy in the summertime heat. Stay away from heavier, high alcohol reds with big tannins. You’ll fare better with red wines that maintain good acidity and have lower tannins.
Pinot Noir fans will always be in a happy place on a warm day. With delicate berry flavors and high acidity, this light- to medium-bodied wine is a perfect fit. Pinots from Willamette Valley, like Patricia Green Reserve or Kate Arnold, are always a wonderful choice.
Old World wines offer an amazing array of choices when it comes to lighter reds. From France, try a Gamay from Beaujolais. You’ll never go wrong with a Côtes du Rhône. These beautiful blends of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are summertime perfection. Domaine Lazaret Ventoux or Château du Trignon are excellent selections.
Winemakers are making wines that are much more portable — easy to take on the go to the pool, lake, or beach! Don’t sleep on wines in a can, plastic bottles, or even paper cartons. Many of these wines are organic and are in containers that are eco-friendly, bpa-free and, most importantly, taste great!
Don’t fret, if you’re palate prefers to lighten up in the summertime, Sip Happens has you covered. Our goal is boutique wine, simplified. With more than 400 wines to choose from, we are happy to help you find the perfect wine to keep the good times rolling!
Sip Happens Wine Shoppe Is located at 3890 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suite 8, in Suwanee. For more information, visit SipHappens.wine.
