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"When the leadership in this state thinks about tax relief it’s about tax relief for corporations. It’s not usually tax relief for working people." -- Gilda Cobb-Hunter, Orangeburg social worker and Democratic Rep.
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| | Issue #21.21 :: 05/21/2008 - 05/27/2008 | Summer Sippers
| BY RICHARD FADELEY
| The Englishman Henry James said, “Summer afternoon, the two most beautiful words in the English language.” That might be a stretch if you live in the South, but we can suggest a palliative to get you through what really is my favorite time of the year.
Fresh vegetables, fruit, peaches, tomatoes, vacations, football season, long days, these are special. And for that kickback afternoon nothing says “relax” like a nice glass of wine. Here are a few budget-friendly wines to ease your way through these glorious summer months:
Whites:
Gazela ’07 Vhino Verdi, Portugal. You can’t beat this for a fun sipper ($6, Total, Morganelli’s)
Chateau Montet ’07 Bordeaux Sauvignon. Just an easy, refreshing BS, and a best buy. ($9, Total)
Domaine de Pouy, ’07 Cotes de Gascogne. This juicy sipper has been dubbed “the wine of summer” and a test-drive will show you why. Plenty of citrus and minerals, moderate alcohol and food-friendly acidity will hit the spot. ($8, Green’s)
Domaine de la Batardiere, ’06 Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Sur Lie. Clean and crisp personified, this is what makes French wines so appealing (Morganelli’s, $9).
Dry Creek ’07 Chenin Blanc. One of the more refreshing wines from the Golden State ($9, Green’s).
Louis Latour ’06 Saint-Veran. Chardonnay for those who think they don’t like Chardonnay ($13, Green’s, Morganelli’s).
Francis Copolla ’06 Bianco. Mostly Pinot Grigio, and a good effort in an Old-World style ($9, Green’s).
Brancott ’07 Sauvignon Blanc. Lots of NZ citrus and grass ($8, Green’s, Total, Morganelli’s).
Dom. Touriquet ’06 Sauvignon VDP, Cotes de Gascogne. Refreshing, very refreshing! ($10, Gourmet Shop).
Sparkling Wine:
Codornui Original, NV Cava (Green’s $9).
Domaine St. Michelle Blanc de Noirs, Washington State ($9, Green’s, Morganelli’s, Total).
St. Hillaire NV Brut, France ($10, Green’s, Morgnelli’s, Gourmet Shop).
Louis Boillot Cremant de Bourgogne NV Blanc de Blancs ($13, Total Wine).
Or, splash out with a Gruet NV Blanc de Noirs, New Mexico! (Gourmet Shop, Total, $15).
Rosés:
These have become some of my favorite summer wines. Not the same as the sweet white Zinfandel, these wines are “on-point” for an afternoon quaffer. Clean, crisp, fruity and dry. Just look for 13 percent alcohol-by-volume and below. They go down easy.
Try any European or Cali rosé; see the wine column for more details.
Reds:
George DeBoeuf ‘06 Beaujolais-Villages. You might also try another Cru Beaujolais such as Morgon, Flurie, Molin-a-Vent, Brouilly, etc.). Easy-drinking wine from the Gamay grape. Serve chilled (58º) ($8-$12, Morganelli’s, Gourmet Shop, Green’s, Total).
Louis Latour ’06 Pinot Noir. Goes well with grilled portabellas or chicken — and dove — and also needs a slight chill to show best (60º). Other Pinots are worth a flyer, too. Lighter wine for the season ($11, Morganelli’s, Green’s).
D’Autrefois ’06 Pinot Noir Vin de Pays. This is an exceptional effort and a great value ($10, Total).
Bordeaux: When it comes to heavier reds I will be picking Merlot-based Right Bank wines (St. Emilion, Fronsac, Pomerol, Cotes de Castion, etc. $10-$20, shop around for ’03, ’04 or ‘05’s).
Falesco ’06 Umbria Sangiovese. Good alternate source for the famous Chianti grape ($11, Green’s).
Spanish Vines ‘06 Tierra de Castilla. This 100 percent Tempranello from Iberia is just the right weight for summer fare. Good with grilling or chilling, and what a value ($9, Green’s, Morganelli’s).
These are just a few of what I’ll be drinking over the next three-to-four months, but you get the idea, lighter, flexible wines that work with lighter fair. There is real value here in these wines, hard to believe with the strong Euro! There should be something here to fit your wine preferences, so give a few of these a whirl. They all come with our standard “No Charge Guarantee”. If you don’t like any of these wines, just give me a call and I will come over and help you finish the bottle, “No Charge”!
Tell us about your favorite summer wine and what you like to pair it with: Email food@free-times.com. | |
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