Dr. David Muhleman

The-Wine-Educator    WINE & SPIRITS EDUCATION AND CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE CONSUMER AND THE PROFESSIONAL

Summer Wine

When I started studying wine seriously, people kept talking about “summer wine” as though it was different from winter wine or spring wine, or fall wine. And I had no clue what was special about “summer wine.” But I nodded my head and agreed with people who said things like “who’d want a big zin on a hot august night?” As I learned more, quite frankly, I would.

The point to learn about summer wines is that is has nothing to do (directly) with the season, it has to do with lifestyle changes, and eating habit changes, we experience during the summer. Think about it; how many times do you sit out on the deck and watch the sunset in January or February. Okay, in Tucson it happens a lot. But admit that it gets cold and you go inside much quicker in the winter.

Sitting on the deck in August watching the sun go down is not the best place for a tannic Italian red. You need to pair that wine with a hearty meal. But a nice, new-world Sauv Blanc or even a light Pinot Gris (I’m not a big white wine guy, but the current vintage of the A to Z pinot gris will make a believer out of me) goes wonderful with a summer sunset (even without food).

Additionally, we really do eat differently in the hot weather. It’s been many months since I’ve sat down to a steaming bowl of hot soup. But there have been many nights lately when I had some salmon and a great Pinot Noir (check out the O’Rielly’s). In fact, this time of year salmon is good tasting and low priced and a perfect time to grill some. You want to experience heaven on earth (at least to me) grill some salmon on a plank and open a bottle of Sea Smoke Pinot Noir. You will quickly learn what summer wine is all about. It’s about the different foods we eat in the summer and the perfect wines that go with the summer cuisine.

So let’s get back to that person who said, “who’d want a big zin on a hot august night?” Well, I would. I don’t know about you but I love steak grilled on the bbq. And quite honestly, when it’s 110 degrees I don’t eat outside much. But you bring that steak inside and pair it with one of those Ridge zins or that great Elyse zin we had at the Friday Night Tasting, and man does it taste good. We do eat differently in the summer.

Picnics are another thing that I don’t do much in December (even in Tucson). Grilling some ‘burgers and ‘dogs with potato salad and beans is a perfect time for a summer wine. I can go both ways with a picnic – in fact all three ways. The Pax Rose is a fabulous wine for a picnic, and please invite me. Either the cold chicken, or sandwiches and a chilled bottle of Pax is “good living.” You want to stay with the cold foods and try the Jewel Viogier (fruity and fun), great wine with cold picnic lunches. But for me, it’s the big dogs (franks, sausages, bratwurst, links, etc) and it take’s a big wine to stand up to mustard on a hot links. Try the Australian “Ball Buster” Shiraz. I’m getting hungry just writing the article.

Screw cap works great on picnics, and I’m telling ya, Ball Buster out of a plastic cup with a “full dress” burger is good summer living. There’s one more aspect to summer wine which most people don’t immediately think of, and that’s “after dinner” wine. In the summer we have a tendency to stay up a little later. In fact, the moment the sun goes down, people come out of their homes and the evening begins.

I like desert wines and after dinner, watching the sun go down and the stars come up there is nothing better that a little Tobin James Liquid Love, or some Rutherglen Muscat, or a port that slides over your tongue like silk. There are delicious ports for every occasion and price. Sharing a 20 year old port with friends is a treat. But if they are really good friends, I’d take home one of those PX sherry’s. The best kept secret on the desert wine shelf are the PX’s. Try one; it’s a whole new world for many wine drinkers who just never got around to trying a PX.

Until next time…it’s summertime and the living is easy.