Choose from Spanish wine varieties to beat summer heat

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Choose from Spanish wine varieties to beat summer heat

With the Memorial Day weekend approaching, unofficially kicking off the summer, it’s an ideal time to check out wines that offer great flavor, but can cool us off a bit too. It doesn’t matter if you’re having a backyard barbecue or just an informal gathering. It’s the perfect excuse to beat the heat.

I can’t think of a better way than to invite some friends over and share a few crisp whites, lighter-bodied reds, dry roses and sparkling wine from Spain. There are several Spanish wines that will fit right in.

For example, dry whites are ideal for warm weather and Spain produces an array of juicy wines with wonderful mouth-watering freshness. Look no further than the predominantly white wine region of Rias Baixas, part of Galicia on the Atlantic coast.

Galicia is noted for its local seafood and equally famous for its, tangy, dry white wine made from the Albarino grape. Martin Codax Albarino, with its distinctive citrus and green apple profile, is a perfect introduction to this grape.

Farther inland, within the denominacion of Monterrei is Atalaya do Mar Godello, a complex, tropically scented white from the obscure Godello variety. It’s a great match with grilled shrimp or chicken with a mango salsa.

Better yet, reach for a dry Rosado like Quo Grenache Rose from the region of Campo de Borja near Zaragoza. This is a pink wine with a red wine personality because it’s made with the red Grenache grape. Dry roses like this one are all the rage these days because they offer the bold flavors of red wine with the refreshing personality of a white. Try it with grilled salmon and a garlicky aioli.

Red wine fans need not feel left out either. Lighter-bodied reds, like the Tempranillo based wines of Rioja, can work well even in the sweltering heat. Just remember to serve the wines with a little chill (about 62° F). Try the black cherry and spice-boxed infused Capitoso Rioja Crianza from Bodegas Altanza with a juicy burger or grilled marinated flank steak.

Tempranillo is also the predominant red grape of Ribera del Duero, where it is known as Tinto Fino. Zumaya makes two really good examples in the Zumaya Tinto Tempranillo and Zumaya Tinto Crianza Ribera del Duero.

Last but not least, pop open a bottle of Spain’s famous sparkling wine, Cava. No special occasion or celebration needed. It’s great anytime and is one of the most food-friendly wines out there. Enjoy a glass of Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut with a summer garden salad or a plate of Spanish cheeses like Manchego or Monte Enebro with thin slices of Serrano ham and fresh fruit.

Cava is produced in Penedes, near Barcelona. It’s traditionally made with local grape varieties Parellada, Macabeo and Xarel-lo, but some producers such as Cordorniu make Anna de Cordorniu Cava with Chardonnay. Cava can also be made in a sparkling rose style like the Freixenet Cordon Rosado, a winner with a platter of chorizo.

Jim Greeley is ABC Fine Wine & Spirits’ wine supervisor for Southwest Florida, with more than a decade in the business. He blogs regularly at winecountry.abcfws.com. Reach him [email protected]. And Jim’s got more wine in mind on Twitter. Follow him @ABCWineJimG.

Bill & Sheila’s Wine

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