Vines and Wine: Summer wine

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Vines and Wine: Summer wine

Chris Anderson says it is a fact that people often change their wine-drinking habits when summer nears.

“As warmer weather approaches, people tend to eat lighter fare, which also leads to lighter wines. Not always whites, but wines with a lighter body and freshness that tend to go well with the food,” he said.

There’s more to it.

“Heavier reds in warm weather tend to show poorly as alcohol evaporates faster, making the wine seem out of balance,” said Anderson, owner of Wine Lovers, a wine shop on Pump Road in the Short Pump area.

“We always recommend chilling reds if you are entertaining outdoors. As for whites, people are looking for good flavor with crisp acidity and freshness that does not leave you wanting a glass of water after your first sip of wine. That leaves almost all California chards, on the lower price end, out of the picture.”

Anderson said some varietals that are warm-weather favorites are un-oaked chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, albarino, pinot gris, cortese, verdelho and trebbiano, but a red-grape-based wine is one of his most requested at this time of the year.

It’s a dry rosé made from 100 percent pinot noir from Loire, France — 2011 Jean Reverdy Sancerre Rose Les Villots ($22.99).

“This has it all,” Anderson said. “Pale salmon color, hints of cherry, strawberry and melon flavors. What once again sets this wine apart is the mineral component that makes it wonderfully fresh on the palate. This wine will also cellar well and improve over time. Very limited production.”

Anderson suggested these other thirst-quenchers:

Lake Chalice “Cracklin’ Savie” Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand NV ($17) — Made in a frizzante style, slightly sparkling, this little gem has all the right things going for it. Crisp, clean and refreshing, it keeps calling you back. It has hints of tropical fruit, but it’s not sweet.

Peter Franus 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California ($19.99) — Peter is one of the pioneers in Napa and has some of the best contacts for great fruit. Although weightier in body than most, its great acid and full flavor make this wine perfect summer drinking.

Domaine Vocoret Chablis AOC, Burgundy, France 2009 ($23.99) — This lovely Chablis made from 100 percent chardonnay is why we love the wine from this part of the world. No wood to get in the way of the wonderful fruit.

Domaine Bellevue 2011 Rosé Touraine, Loire Valley, France ($9.99) — Made from mostly cabernet franc, this beautiful rosé is like tasting strawberries and melons without the sugar.

Castelvero Cortese 2010 Piemonte, Italy ($12.99) — Cortese is the grape, grown mainly in the Piedmont of northern Italy around the Monferrato Hills. Delicate, fruity with some citrus notes, this wine has a little more weight than pinot grigio but with very good acid to add balance.

Encostos do Loma 2010 Vinho Verde, Ponte de Lima, Portugal ($10.99) — Vinho Verde “green wine” — referring to the wine’s freshness, not its color — is the region, or DOC. Usually made from a blend of local grapes, including alvarinho, loureira and trajadura, this light, fresh wine has a hint of effervescence that is truly refreshing.

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