With temperatures coasting down to the 80s, it’s a fine time to hit the beaches along Lake Michigan. For wine lovers that might mean packing a few bottles on ice. White wines free of oak – but also not syrupy sweet – are ideal “beach wines.” Look for crispy, snappy profiles rich with minerals and not too acidic (you’ll get enough intensity from the sunshine).
Here are three options to bring to the beach. All cost less than $20 each, leaving you some extra cash to spring for picnic fixings to pair with the wines.
2011 Big House Wines Big House White (California, $10) is a whopper of a blend, weaving 11 white wine grapes into a memorable white wine. Jasmine and floral notes are courtesy of Chardonnay and Grüner Veltliner, and the sweet perfume notes are derived from Viognier. (www.bighousewines.com)
2011 Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery Fumé Blanc (Sonoma County, California, $15) is rich with expressive guava, grapefruit and nectarine notes, a slight effervescence and a finish that lingers despite an acidic punch. The grapes in this wine are sourced from Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley (www.ferrari-carano.com)
2009 Robert Mondavi Winery Fumé Blanc (Napa Valley, California, $20) is soft and light-bodied with pineapple notes as well as lemongrass and honeydew before extending into a lengthy finish. Blended with 94 percent Sauvignon Blanc is 4 percent Semillon. (www.robertmondavi.com)
WINE EVENT OF THE WEEK
In wine circles, Ben is pretty much a king, with not only the knowledge to suggest a wine that will knock your socks off, but he’s pretty darn personable too. I’m talking about Ben Christiansen, owner of Waterford Wine Company. Did you know Ben (or another Waterford Wine Company employee) will come to your home to host a private tasting? Or, it can be at the Brady Street retail location (already a site for wine classes). Maybe you have a birthday party, wedding or bridal shower, or romantic occasion on the horizon that you wish to devote to wine tasting. Or maybe you just want to, with no special occasion in mind, cut through all the riff raff and sip the best French Champagnes, affordable sparkling wines or Napa Cabs to pair with a steak. To book a session with Ben, or another Waterford Wine Company employee, call 414-289-9463 or email sommelier@waterfordwine.com.
WINE DEAL OF THE WEEK
Earlier in the year I covered a wine deal at Balzac Wine Bar and it’s time for an update. That’s because the Brady Street wine bar has evolved beyond its “Raid the Cellar” specials on Sunday night (don’t worry, this deal has not expired). Now, wine deals happen every weeknight too. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday you can order a glass of wine for $5 (poured in Riedel crystal glasses) but you don’t have to head elsewhere for a good food deal. As part of the 555 Happy Hour, you also unlock access to a $5 appetizer (choose from pimento cheese dip, mini antipasta, cheese flight, frites and sac mac – a signature dish of Cavatappi pasta topped with blue cheese béchamel sauce).
WINE OF THE WEEK
Chardonnays are a dime a dozen, and the intrigue deepens when you are on the hunt for good value. LangeTwins Family Winery, which debuted in 2006, produces a Chardonnay ($15) that will probably go down in your book as a memorable Chardonnay. (It did in mine.) The 2010 LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards Chardonnay (Clarksburg, California, $15) is light in body but rich in creamy tropical fruit flavors like guava and pineapple, and a lime accent towards the back of the palate. It contains only estate-grown fruit. In case you’re wondering if the twins reference is legit, don’t worry, it is. Owners Randall and Brad Lange are twins. Their wives and children (combined, they have five kids) are actively involved in the winery too. The entire bunch is committed to sustainability – in growing the grapes and also relying upon renewable energy in the winery. (www.langetwins.com)
Homepage photo by Chris Kessler
