5 Great Wines for Summer
Are you tired of light and fruity summer wines and looking for a refreshing white that has a bigger full-bodied style? Try the oak-aged version of these white wine varietals. The range of body varies with producer-listed from highest body in descending order. While many fine examples of these wines exist, I have included one I particularly enjoyed for each section below.
Chardonnay- generally Chardonnays from cooler climates (think farther North, closer to the ocean or higher altitude) produce richer more complex wines. As with any wine this varies with winemaker choices with skin contact, oak, malolactic fermentation (MLF) and ageing on the lees. Cool climate chardonnays, with their higher acid content, can withstand large oak influence without becoming single-note oak or butter bombs. (Willakenzie Estate Chardonnay 2017)
Viognier- beautiful fragrant wines that combine an interesting range of fruit flavors along with a rich creaminess and vanilla from the oak. Again, the body, weight and mouth feel vary by winemaker. (K Powerline Viognier 17)
White Rhone Blends- deep, rich floral and fruit flavors and aromas accompanied by a baked Brioche bread character from lees ageing. These Rhone (Southern France) style wines are usually blends of two to four grape varieties: Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier. The New World taste for Single Varietal wines has given rise to the appearance of many single grape bottlings. All the components are enjoyable and interesting on their own.
(Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Blanc 2016)
White Rioja Blends- aged Reserva and Gran Reserva’s develop roasted fruit and nutty praline flavors and a beautiful golden color. These wines traditionally are Viura (minimum 51%) and Malvasia grapes, but four other indigenous grapes and three imports are also allowed. Some of these grapes are also used in Spain’s famous Cava sparkling wines. (many aged items currently out of stock due to import tariffs and Covid 19)
White Bordeaux Blends- unique and delicious wines with a great variation of flavors due to climate, oak and MLF. Fruit, herbs, flowers, oak, butter, bread dough-Wow. Look for a predominantly Semillon blended with Sauvignon Blanc. These wines have a long tradition in France and are garnering praise for US producers in Paso Robles CA and Walla Walla/Red Mountain WA. (Bookwalter1st Edition Conner Lee Vineyard 2017)
