Yes, summer is upon us and the good weather means more time spent relaxing with family and friends. Whether you’re on the patio, deck or on a picnic, summer wines call for something a little different. Cool, refreshing fruity wines that are pleasant to sip on their own, without the need for food. Lighter, lower alcohol wines that you can enjoy in the afternoon. These are the kinds of wines that are great to keep in the fridge to serve when a friend or guest drops over for a visit.
In the BC Guild of Wine Judges, we call these Social wines and they are described as, “ . . . . a wine that is enjoyable without the accompaniment of food. . . . . The wine should have an inviting fruity aroma. The wine should be neither dry nor excessively sweet. It should not be too high in alcohol. , , , , There should be no peaks of acid, tannins, or bitterness. Good balance between sugar and acid is essential. This is a patio wine, not a table wine and may be served alone or with light foods (snacks).”
Light, off dry German Rieslings, often less than ten percent alcohol fit the bill nicely as do many white blends. It is important to remember that it is not so much the varietal(s) used that makes it a Social wine, as it is the style the wine is made in. Riesling for example, can be made in many different styles, from bone dry to dessert, so only some could be considered Social wines.
The following is an example of recent flight of Social wines presented at a Guild session:
2013 Vina Esmeralda Spain 11% $14.99
(Moscatel de Alejandria and Gewürztraminer)
2013 Latitude 50 (Gray Monk) BC 12% $12.99
(Bacchus, Muller-Thurgau, Gewürztraminer, Riesling)
2012 Red Shoe White (The View) BC 11.8% $12.85
(Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Optima)
2012 White (Chaberton) BC 13.1% $13.95
(Madeleine Sylvaner and Sauvignon Blanc)
2013 Desert Sun (Gehringer Bros) BC 13% $13.99
(Auxerois, Chardonnay, Riesling)
2013 Autumn Gold (Wild Goose) BC 12% $19.00
(Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc)
2012 Chorus (Stoneboat) BC 11.8% $17.70
(P Blanc, Muller Thurgau, Schoenberger, Kerner, P Gris, Viognier)
Other wines you might want to consider trying would include varietals such as:
Auxerois
Bacchus
Chasselas
Ehrenfelzer
Kerner
Madeleine Angevine
Madeleine Sylvaner
Optima
Ortega
Siegerrebe
BC makes many excellent wines from these grapes. Look for producers such as Arrowleaf, Chaberton, Gehringer Brothers, Gray Monk, Quail’s Gate, and Recline Ridge among many others.
International examples of Social wines could include wines such as:
Chenin Blanc – some from the Loire Valley (France) would fit the class
Gewürztraminer – again, a wine that can be made in a wide range of styles. Off dry examples are good Social wines. Try Alsatian (France) wines, or BC examples (Thornhaven would be just one possibility)
Muscat – there are several types of Muscat available. They all have a distinctive aroma and flavour profile.
Pinot Blanc – though not the dry table wine examples. Try some from Alsace.
Riesling – off dry examples from Germany, Alsace or BC
Many Rosés (more on them in another article) make great Social wines as do some lighter styled reds that can be served with a slight chill – try Gamay Noir (Beaujolais), some Pinotage and lighter examples of Pinot Noir.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, simply some suggestions of where to start. Whether you opt for a varietal or a blend, you’ll find some wonderful wines to enjoy this summer.
