There’s no time like the summertime, especially when it comes to sipping your favorite pours. Whether you’re manning the grill, sitting by the pool, or soaking up the A/C inside, we wanted to find the perfect complement to a perfect barbecue, so we linked up with wine expert Anthony D’Arpino of Harrison Wine Vault to give us some tips. The wines that follow are sure to satisfy.
Can’t get enough of summertime wine? Check out our Salute! A Wine Tasting Tour of Italy event during the annual Wine & Food Festival coming June 5-10, where you can celebrate Westchester’s gourmet food, exceptional wines, beer, spirits, mouth-watering burgers, and award-winning chefs.
CHATEAU PEGAU MACLURA COTES DU RHONE – $19.99
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Château Pegau is one of our favorite new vineyards, just a few miles outside of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region of France. “Maclura” is a type of Osage Orange tree that line the vineyard and inspired the name of this beautiful Cotes du Rhone. A soft, light yet firm red wine that serves well on its own or paired with red meats and grilled vegetables, this is our top pick for Summer reds. With intense aromas of cassis, blackberry and spice, the Maclura is a compelling and impressive medium-bodied red.
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​MIRAFLORS LAFAGE ROSE 2017 – $17.99
With a frosted glass bottle, the Lafage Rose always catches our customers eyes – and palates. Light in color but rich in flavor, this medium-bodied Provence style rose is 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Carignan, which makes for a delicious combination. With notes of strawberries, white cherries and rose, this extremely balanced and layered rose is unlike any other. The 2017 vintage is fresh and fruit forward and also one of our top picks this Summer. Buy it for the bottle, come back for the taste.
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​ROCCAFIORE FIORDALISO BIANCO 2016 – $15.99
One of our top-selling organic wines year-round, this blend of 85% Grechetto, 15% Trebbiano continues to impress even the biggest of wine enthusiasts, vintage after vintage. Gently pressed and naturally processed, this straw-yellow wine is fragrant with bouquets of white flowers, green apple and pink grapefruit. Dry, fresh and crisp, the taste lingers and explodes on the palate. By far one of our favorite Italian white wines, and perfect to drink on its own or sitting outside by the grill. Enjoy Italian wine? Give this a go and you’ll be blown away.
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​GRANBAZAN ALBARINO ETIQUETA VERDE 2016 – $17.99
This ‘Etiqueta Verde’ or Green Label from Granbazan is a refreshing take on this light bodied white wine. A Salnés Valley style albarino, grown in Spain, that has an intense tropical fruit and citrus aroma which is delightful. This pale, golden colored wine is dry and very floral with crisp acidity – a perfect match for fish, chicken and lighter fare, including vegetables. Elegant and well-balanced, we encourage you to share this wine with friends.
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M. & S. BOUCHET CABERNET FRANC ‘LE SYLPHE’ 2012 – ON SALE $19.99
This Cabernet Franc is one of the most distinctive wines we’ve tasted this year. A vibrant Loire Valley red, the Bouchet notes classic, sweet spices and black pepper on the nose. A silky quality lends to the explosive black fruit on the palate. This natural wine is perfect for someone who enjoys a lighter, fresher, spicier red wine not quite unlike a Beaujolais. Also, the vineyard itself has been biodynamic since 1962 – revolutionary! Open to let breathe and watch the tannins relax. With a solid structure and perfect acidity, we recommend this wine to anyone who still enjoys a nice red in the Summer.
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BELLA VINEYARDS ALEXANDER VALLEY ZINFANDEL 2012 – $27.99
An excellent limited release from Bella Vineyards, the 2012 Alexander Valley Zinfandel is the ideal hearty red for warmer weather. This winery produces consistently sturdy wines and this particular vintage hails from a proclaimed perfect harvest. Pleasing fruit aromas, a lush mouthfeel and a bright finish make this deep rich red, with jammy spice and mellow tannins, a good match for just about anything on the grill.
Looking for tickets to our Wine & Food Festival? Click here for Salute! A Wine Tasting Tour of Italy: Enter promo code WINE to receive $5 off Salute tickets! Don’t wait, the code is only valid through Friday, June 1 at 5 p.m.
