PORTLAND, Maine — Summer is approaching…finally! The days are longer, the sun feels warmer, flowers and trees are budding and snow is done for the year (we hope!). All great reasons to celebrate with some warm weather wines!
Maia Gosselin from Sip Wine Education has brought us her selections from her home for what to enjoy as you begin to spend some time in the fresh air, whether out on your deck or when firing up the grill!
- Sparkling! Casteller Rosado Cava: A deliciously dry Spanish sparkler made from the Trepat grape. Made with the same method as a Champagne but much, much more affordable! Red fruit notes with citrus and balanced acidity. Delicious with tapas, fried clams, fried chicken.
- White: La Cala Vermentino di Sardinia, Italy. A fresh, crisp white wine from the island off the coast of Italy. Zesty with notes of apple, pear and minerality. Perfect on a nice warm evening. Grilled calamari, steamed mussels, oysters,
- Rosé: Peyrassol Cuvee de la Commanderie, Cotes de Provence, France: A classic Provencial rose, dry and delicate with notes of citrus, peach and apricot. Soooo easy to sip! I love it with a fresh lobster roll, lobster salad or pasta salad.
- Red: Braii Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa: Oldest evidence of grilling is actually found in South Africa. This cab is rich and smoky with lots of black fruit and a little earthiness. Drink it with BBQ Ribs! Also lovely with grilled steaks and Jamaican jerk chicken wines.
- Boxed Wine: Flower Box Rosé: A Spanish rosé made with Tempranillo, fresh and fruity with notes of cherry, raspberry and watermelon. I love the boxed wines, they stay fresh for much longer and it’s 4 bottles in one box! Seeing higher and higher quality wines being used with the box format. No snobbery, just good wine for outside enjoyment. Pairs nicely with grilled shrimp, pork, trout and black bean corn salsa.