Summer Reds

As we reach the unofficial end of Summer, the Rampant Oenophile has an opportunity to look back at an article posted by Brad Lewis about Summer being "Too Hot for Red Wines?" Though I have not met him personally, Brad is a true friend to all Rampant Oenophiles. He's been buying fine wines for more than 30 years, and regularly contributes columns to the ABC Newsletter found in their local stores. Brad suggested several varietals to combat the habit of enjoying mostly white wines in the heat of the Summer.

Well, this Rampant Oenophile did his level best to enjoy all of Brad's suggestions. Pinot Noirs were among Brad's first recommendations. The Pinot Noir enjoys a thinner skin than other red grape varietals, so produces wines with less tannin and a lighter body. These wines take a slight chill well and open up their bouquet and flavor profiles when served just slightly below room temperature. Most of us serve Whites too cold and Reds too warm, so the Pinot Noir benefits from a 15-20 minute cooling in the fridge before opening on a hot summer evening.

I've enjoyed Pinot Noirs from Chateau St. Jean, Erath, Wild Horse, and Rutz recently, as well as many others yet to be posted on this forum. All have been delightful, and most a certain value. The beauty of the Pinot Noir is that they remain as well poised for an Indian Summer and slow move to Fall as they were invigorating and special this Summer.

Brad also suggests finding Reds from the Beaujolais region, dominated by the Gamay grape. Aside from Beaujolais Nouveau, which I find best served to someone else, the Gamay grape astounds me. Gamay wines can be rich, fruit forward, open and inviting, and I am on a mission for the next several weeks to explore the wines of Beaujolais more intimately. I loved the Chateau des Jacques reviewed this week, and consider these Louis Jadot wines impeccable. They offer wonderful flavors, big bright bouquets, and crisp and tantalizing palate experiences.

I'm adding Zinfandels to this list of Summer wines, but not for the traditional reasons. Zins are among this Rampant Oenophile's favorites, but they are not typical picks for sweltering heat. They tend to be brighter, hotter, spicier wines, but I favor them on hot evenings in the Summer. I find their spice and heat to "break the fever" of oppressive temperatures. I enjoy finishing a bottle with a fiery meal and taking the heat up a notch to savor that cooling sensation afterwards. Try one before the evenings cool too much.

As we move towards a lingering Indian Summer and the crisp Fall mornings, we'll try something new. Please make suggestions and post your own Summer picks or Fall selections for everyone to enjoy.