| In the depths of summer, with it's sweltering heat | | | | Champagne and an excellent summer wine. |
| and heavy air, does something to a wine drinker's | | | | Featuring a delicate lightness and a lower alchohol |
| palate. We no longer crave a tannic rich Cabernet, | | | | content, Vinho Verde is perfect for hot, summer |
| for example. They tend to make us warm. During | | | | days when the tendancy is to consume your wine |
| the hot months, wine drinkers tend to crave | | | | a little more quickly. Perfect for many types of |
| wines high in acidity. These livlier wines tend to be | | | | foods, Vinho Verde is usually quite fruity, with |
| more cleansing and refreshing. So, put away your | | | | citrus being the most common. Generally a young |
| Merlots and Cabernets for the Summer, and join | | | | wine, Vinho Verde has earned the nickname |
| us for a tour of some delightful summer | | | | "green" wine. |
| substitutes. | | | | Beacause it lacks the harsh tannins of a Cabernet, |
| No question about it, we Americans love our | | | | the full bodied spirit of a Grenache is a good |
| Champagne! We drank about 35 million gallons of it | | | | summer choice. Although most associate a |
| in 2006. This figure represents about a 20% | | | | Grenache from France or Australia, Grenache is |
| increase from 2001. We would probably drink alot | | | | grown in abundance in the Priorat region of Spain. |
| more of it, but it's price has risen right along with | | | | Grenache typically conveys accents of dark fruits |
| it's popularity. An excellent, economical substitute | | | | such as black plums or rasberries. Californis, too |
| is a proseco from the Veneto region of Italy. | | | | has it's share of Grenache. Interesting enough, |
| Proseco comes extra dry, or brut, which is drier | | | | Grenache complements a good old fashioned |
| still. Heavy, creamy dishes such as fettucine | | | | burger as well as anything else! |
| Alfredo, complement the lively, dry quality of | | | | In finishing our round-up of great summer wines, |
| proseco. Proseco tends to cut through the oiliness | | | | we still have a few more that deserve mention. |
| and richness of Salmon or even an avacado. | | | | Sauvignon blanc, particularly from New Zealand, is |
| Proseco leaves us cleansed and refreshed, and | | | | a great summer choice. It features just the right |
| eager for the next bite! | | | | amount of acidity combined with the goodness of |
| Though sometimes a little too sweet, Spanish | | | | gooseberry and grapefruit. The ever popular pinot |
| Cavas are a great, bubbly alternative to | | | | grigio, especially from Italy is clean and |
| champagne. Extremely affordable, most cavas | | | | wonderfully refreshing! A little less well known is a |
| are under 20 dollars. Most Cavas are made west | | | | Gruner Veltliner from Austria. Gruners are |
| of Barcelona, in northeastern Spain. Cavas are | | | | wonderfully crisp and thirst quenching. They are |
| generally sparkling wines, however once in awhile | | | | bone dry and are frequently laced with green |
| youll run across a rose. With aromas ranging from | | | | apple. |
| apple to lemon, Cavas are one of the main | | | | Needless to say, we have left out somebody's |
| reasons that Spain is rapidly ascending in | | | | favorite summer wine. For that we are sorry. |
| prominence in the world of wines. | | | | Hopefully we have included some wines that will |
| Although only slightly effervescent, Portugal's | | | | make this summer perfect for discovering new |
| Vinho verde still qualifies as a choice alternative to | | | | favorites. |