The Wines of Summer

     Summer in the Country of Wine is delicious.  Enticed outside by the attraction of warm summer days, we locals spend many hours outdoors during this season of bliss.  The flowers and herbs are in bloom. The air is warm but usually light and breezy, and we are energized, creative, and feeling sociable.  It is time to plan a picnic for some good friends and soul mates.

     When parties are casual, day-time, outdoor affairs with something on the grill I think of crisp, cool, refreshing wines.  I put my ice tub outside and will make sure there is a Pinot Grigio or two.  Pinot Grigio is often called Pinot Gris.  Incidently, "Grigio" translates to the color "grey" in Italian, whereas "Gris" is grey in French. The grape is a mutation of the purple grape Pinot Noir and is a light grey color at harvest.  The wine can show a lovely floral bouquet and is cool, crisp and refreshing on the palate.  Citrus reminders are present, and the finish can be clean and lingering.  Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio from Italy is given credit for popularizing the wine in the United States. 

     I served Laird Family Estate's 2004 Pinot Grigio for family and friends recently.  It was a multi-generational party.  The young wine drinkers enjoyed it and so did the seniors!  On the menu that warm afternoon I had appetizers which included chilled, cut celery, baby carrots, and broccoli florets alongside a creamy, herb-accented dip.  There were several artisan breads sliced on a platter along with a few  cheeses.  A colorful fruit plate with melon, peaches, nectarines, large red and white table grapes, strawberries, and pears was a summer delight.  Sipping the Laird Pinot Grigio as I sampled the appetizers it was apparent that the flavors and textures were in harmony.

     On my guest list were also Sauvignon Blanc afficionados.  So in the ice tub I had placed two of my favorites of that variety.  The Selene 2004 Hyde Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from Carneros is magnificent.  Winemaker Mia Klein has created a perfect summer wine.  Flavors of peaches and apricots, a smooth mouthfeel, and a certain stony characteristic was great with the appetizers, especially the fruit. 

     Peter Franus 2004 Stewart Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc was also offered.  The Stewart Vineyard is not far from the Hyde Vineyard, and both Peter and Mia use the same clone. The wines are both great, with Peter's having the ever-so-slight hint of grass.  Herbs, stone fruit and lime peel seeped into my mental wine tasting notes.

     My guests carried their glasses, some full and some empty, to the picnic table by the pool.  I had roasted and carved a pork loin roast, simply cooked with salt and pepper after an olive oil rub.  I had roasted some veggies on the grill along with some red potatoes, wrapped in tin foil and encrusted with herbs.  A huge salad with lettuce, mushrooms, olives, red and gold bell peppers, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts looked as healthy as it was beautiful.  On the table I had placed a chilled 2002 Sinskey Vin Gris.  This is a beautiful, pale, delightfully dry rose', which was a nice companion to the roast.

     Anticipating all my guests desires, like any good host, I did not forget red wine.  Alongside the pork roast I had a mixed grill of locally made sausages.  The apple chicken sausage not only was heaven with the whites and rose', but it was taken to a new level when paired with the 2001 Fort Ross Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast.  This wine is filled with deep flavors of berries and red fruit.  This floral, fruity, hint-of-spice, mouthfull of wine was equally at home with the bite of cheeseburger I was offered by my sister.

    Have a very enjoyable summer indulging your senses and playing with food and wine!