When summertime temperatures exceed 80 degrees in the always naturally air-conditioned mountains of Tucker County, residents begin to get concerned because most folks don’t have air conditioning. I am one of those (part time ) residents and when the temperature reached 85 on the 4th of July our picnic seemed to be in jeopardy since moving the party indoors would have been an even more oppressive decision. So, I did the next best thing, I moved the picnic starting time from 5 to 7 O’clock allowing the cooling evening breezes to make outdoor dining possible. I also made the time change to accommodate my selfish desire to sip red wine in addition to the cool and crisp whites I had planned to uncork. Today, I’ll recommend a few picnic wines along with tasty accompanying foods that should lift your spirits and refresh your body even in the blistering heat of summer.
When the weather turns warm, some people’s thoughts turn to cycling, swimming or even golf. Not me. Summertime gets me (and my trusty old Weber) fired up to start grilling various hunks of meat and/or vegetables and accompanying these tasty delights with picnic-style wines. I’m suggesting lighter-bodied whites and reds that fit the casual feel of outdoor cooking as well as pairing terrifically with grilled foods. These lighter-style wines will also benefit from a little chilling, particularly the reds, which will provide a refreshing counterpoint to the sometimes spicy entrees being prepared.
There is just about nothing better than a crisp, herbaceous sauvignon blanc paired with herbal-infused foods such as salmon with dill, cold pasta salad or even a chilled pesto of basil, pine nuts and garlic over fusilli. Try these refreshing sauvignon blancs from California, Washington State, Italy, New Zealand and Bordeaux: Chateau Ducasse Graves Blanc, Zorzettig (Italy), Nobilo, Caymus, Groth, St. Supery, Kenwood, Ste. Michelle and Cloudy Bay. Another great white varietal for summer light meals is Trimbach Gewurztraminer. All these whites are exceptional accompaniments to the above-mentioned edibles.
If you’re a red wine lover, light to medium bodied wines such as sangiovese, cabernet franc and pinot noir are excellent choices in the warm months. Whether you choose grilled hamburgers with all the fixings, Italian or smoked sausages or lamb chops, these wines complement and enhance the flavors these foods. From Tuscany, try wines such as Villa Banfi Centine and Monte Antico, as well as Chianti producers such as Monsanto, Fossi, Cecchi and Nozzole. Cabernet franc from France around the village of Chinon I suggest are Domaine Gouron, Chateau DeCoulaine and Jean Montbray. And from California, look for Lang&Reed, Alexander Valley Vineyards and Robert Mondavi Oakville. I also recommend Barboursville Reserve Cabernet Franc from Virginia.
Of course, light to medium bodied pinot noirs from California and Oregon work well too. David Bruce, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Eveham Wood, La Crema and Scot Paul La Paulee are great pinot noir choices for summer meals. All these wines pair nicely with foods such as grilled salmon, flank steak, along with barbecued ribs or chicken kabobs.
And I would be remis if I didn’t mention rose’ which is one of the best options for picnic meals. Chilled rose’ can be sipped as both an aperitif or as an accompaniment to foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers or grilled veggies of all types. Some of my favorite rose’ labels are Masciarelli, Domain Lafond Tavel Rose, Elizabeth Spencer Grenache Rose, Tempier Bandol Rose and Mulderbosch Rose of Cabernet.
So, stay cool and sated this summer with these refreshing wines and picnic foods -weather (pun intended) you have air conditioning or not.
John Brown is also a novelist. His latest book – Augie’s Wine –is now available to order online or at his website wordsbyjohnbrown.com. His first two books– Augie’s War and Augie’s World – are also available online and at bookstores around the state. The novels are also available as audiobooks. You can find out more about his novels, and review all his archived Vines & Vittles columns at wordsbyjohnbrown.com
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