With this heat as of late, I have been feeling very lethargic. The only form of mid-afternoon relief seems to come in finding (friends) with a nice pool get-up and packing a picnic to hang at their house. The lazy days of summer have officially arrived. While I tan my scarily white body, I have enjoyed sipping on these cool juices. When packing out, don’t forget the hodge podge of sun and wine things to take along in your tote: copious 50 SPF sunscreen (you’ll get tan, trust me, there’s a whole in ozone down here!), hat, fly swatter, corkscrew, crystal glasses, and an ice bucket.
Rosé
Rosé used to be my least favorite wine variety—until I tried Domaines Ott from Provence one very, very hot day in Paris. Dry, spicy, and fruity with grapefruit and apricot notes, but not sweet, its chilled temperature and perfect acidity tasted remarkably fresh. Chile and Argentina are producing better rosés that now shy away from the “White Zinfandel”style. Thank god. The best rosés I have found are the very French-style from Aquitania in Chile, or Melipal in Mendoza.
Torrontes
This wine is synonymous for summer, for me at least. It is served very cold and has vibrant acidity, a light body, and a little pizazz from jasmine flowers to orange aromas. It goes down as easily as water and usually doesn’t cost much more. Most Torrontes average from US$10-15 in the market. Try Susana Balbos Crios, O. Fournier‘s Urban Uco, or if you can find it, Altavista’s Premium Torrontes.
Sauvignon Blanc
This green-skinned grape originating in the wine lands of Bordeaux gets its name from sauvage (wild) and blanc (white) referring to its indigenous roots in Southwestern France. Now cultivated across the world from New Zealand to California and Chile, a good example is usually, dry, crisp and refreshing. I am smitten with Chile’s Sauvignon Blanc coming from the coastal valleys like Limarí, San Antonio, and the new Colchagua Coast. Producers like Maycas and Garcés Silva really redefine zesty—and yummy. Now if I could get that poolside with some oysters or goat cheese…
Beaujolais
Go Gamay Noir, Beaujolais’s beloved grape. This region in France, north of Lyon, pumps out young, fresh red wines with barely 9% alcohol and a light body. There’s something youthful about them: fun, full of fruit and vibrancy, and only meant to be savored and consumed each summer. It also is an ideal party wine to beat the heat since 1. You serve it cool and 2. The price tag makes it quite palateable.
Pinot Noir
You know, usually I am down for a Pinot with just about any food or wherever I am. It is a chameleon-type wine. Revered as the “white” of the reds, its ability to combine with anything from steak to seafood is only rivaled by Champagne, in my humble opinion. I like Pinot –a lot, but am specific in what kind it is. If it is aged, complex and hails is a Grand Cru from Burgundy or a fine Oregonian variety, chances are, I won’t be drinking it chilled nor poolside. However, if it is a happy-go-lucky fruity version, you bet. In Chile, I love Villard’s Pinot Noir Expression, Matetic Vineyards, and Alazán from Kingston, all in the Casablanca valley near the sea. Serve them slightly cool, not chilled. On second thought, maybe I should drink these in the shade.
