Top 5 Summer Wines

Posted July 5, 2013

Once the weather warms up and patios get into full swing, many diners and students taking online chef courses are ready to raise a glass or two. Whether you want to be budget-friendly with your purchases or choose a vino that will really knock your guests’ socks off, there are plenty of options for sensational summer wines.

Grüner Veltliner
Need something to pair with those fresh summer salads? Trying to find a vino that is a perfect match for vegetarian meals? Look no further than Austria’s favorite white wine, Grüner Veltliner. With its acidity and light flavor, it’s a natural pick for patio drinking. There are spicy, peppery versions as well as varieties with stone fruit notes, so make sure to read labels or ask an expert at the wine store before purchasing.

Sauvignon blanc
For something a little drier, try opening up a bottle of sauvignon blanc to go with your next meal. With vanilla and oak notes, this wine is an ideal pairing with appetizers. Even if you have a seafood dish as your main course, this French wine is an excellent choice. Many chefs in international cooking schools love to choose sauvignon blanc to partner up with swordfish, mussels, scallops, shellfish and grilled vegetables.

Cava
You may have heard of French champagne as an international cooking student, but France’s neighbor to the west serves up some pretty amazing bubbly. Spanish cava is produced and aged similarly to most sparkling wines. However, it tends to be lighter and drier – making it the perfect companion to fresh summer fruits.

Rose
You might think that pink wine is subpar, but nothing could be further from the truth! Rose wines are made in some of the most elite wine regions on earth, from Provence in France to northern California. For pairings, the possibilities are endless, as rose has notes of both red and white varietals. From charcuterie to veal to paella, rose is an excellent choice. For cheeses, Navarra rose is a particularly well-designed option that can stand up to even the stinkiest, bluest hunk of fromage.

Nero d’Avola
Do you want to stick with a red varietal? Nero d’Avola is a light red wine grown in Sicily that is the perfect vino with which to unwind. Also called Calabrese, this grape used to be cultivated for blending, but has recently entered a renaissance with sommeliers and chefs. Need something to stand up to those chargrilled steaks or smoky summer barbecue? A bottle of Nero d’Avola should do the trick.

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Tags: wine