There is nothing better than sipping a chilled glass of wine in the sun, uncorking a bottle of red wine by a warm bonfire, or the perfect food and wine pairing. Crisp and refreshing, bold and beautiful, a bottle of wine can help accent a brunch, bring life to your dinner gatherings, be a perfect aperitif, and add refreshment to poolside hangouts.
As we enter into the summer of 2020, here are some fabulous wine categories and recommendations that can help bring you joy as you plan for your summer experiences.
Vinho Verde
Looking for a region that is unique and undiscovered by most? Head to Vinho Verde. This wine region is located in the Northernmost part of Portugal, offering wines that are diverse, versatile, and trendy. Wines from this region are perfect for your palate and your cellar.
Incorporating an entire ecosystem and unique microclimate in its makeup, the region is described as a temperate Atlantic with a continental influence, with cold and rainy winters and dry, hot summers perfect for wine growing. Many grapes are hand-harvested, and the wines can be from fresh and light to more complex, structured, and elegant. In fact, the region’s history has found wine artifacts that are over 2,000 years old, proving this wine region wine was alive and well as early as 100 AD.
With a long history and rich culture, Vinho Verde winegrowers are sustainable and focused on tradition, to keep the land rich and fertile for generations to come. They grow Indigenous grapes that are unknown to most of us. For instance, Loureiro, Alvarinho, and also Arinto, Trajadura, Avesso and Azal are grapes grown in the region that lend themselves to beautiful white wines that are original, versatile and diverse.
This region offers two wine styles that you’re sure to fall in love with. With great minerality, freshness and beautiful aromas and structure, these wines should be served around 8 – 12 degrees so they are nicely chilled. They are perfectly paired with classic brunch dishes like quiche and egg salads, as well as seafood dinners or any of your order-in favorites like sushi and green chicken curry.
Try any of these wonderful wines:
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- Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde (LCBO#: 89995 $12.60)
- Arca Nova Vinho Verde 2017 Loureiro/Arinto (LCBO VINTAGES#: 292029 $13.95)
- VinuSoalleirus, Lda Alvarinho Soalheiro (FWP Trading)
- Quinta da Lixa Pouco Comum Alv (LCBO)
- PROVAM Portal do Fidalgo
- Adega Ponte de Lima, Loureiro
- Valados de Melgaço Quinta de Golães
Drink Pink
How pink wine is made is often misunderstood. Simple logic might suggest that pink wine comes from pink grapes. However pink wine is made from all sorts of red grapes. The longer the juice spends in contact with the skins of red grapes, the deeper the colour of the rosé wine in your glass. Rosé is a winemaker’s joy; they can control the colour and choose in the winemaking process and they can also decide which type of red grapes they want to use to produce the ever-popular pink wine. For instance, classic Provence rosé wines are a very light salmon colour and typical Spanish Rose is a deeper and brighter colour. By no means does the colour of the wine tell you the sweetness of the wine, all it can help tell you is how the winemaker has made the wine to affect colour. In all other parts of the world, winemakers make pink wine in all sorts of various pink tones. Most rosé wines are also served in beautiful clear bottles to showcase the colour and many labels are fun, fresh, and enticing. Prices for rosé also vary. They can be affordable and delicious and also expensive and wonderful.
At Two Sisters Vineyards in Niagara on the Lake, the Margo Rosé is made with classic bordeaux red grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, and is one of the top Rosé wines in Canada. Made by Winemaker Adam Pearce, this Rosé is filled with red fruit aromas, fresh strawberries, basil, and green tea. Also, when you purchase from the winery, for the second year in a row, a portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold until September 30th will be donated to Gillian’s Place, a safe haven for abused women and children. You can also save 10% if you order online.
Here is where to buy Two Sisters Wines: https://www.twosistersvineyards.com/
Ready to Drink
In the past couple of years, wine and cocktails in a can or bottle have been an emerging trend with consumers – and for good reason. They are easy to transport and mix, consumer-friendly and downright delicious! There are plenty of new and great canned/bottled options on the market as well. Perfect for picnics, cottage getaways, poolside hangouts, and easy-to-mix cocktails, there are a few that I’ve tried that you’re bound to enjoy.
With home delivery and pick up available from the LCBO, these are a few selections I’ve tried and would recommend. If you’re a wine lover, the new Stel + Mar collection of premium white, red, and rosé are from California. The white and the red are in cans and the rosé is in a tetra pack. The Aperitivo Spritz in a bottle is made here in Ontario and can be served on ice with a citrus or herb garnish, making the Aperitivo hour very easy to partake in. The even easier thing is to order a whole bunch of various cans and cocktails online and