Our summer list

Over the years we have written the wine column we have heard from readers about half of which want us to do more specific wine recommendations and the other half who think we should not make recommendations at all. We try our best to take all of this advice in and balance between information about the wine industry, wine making and the like and actual recommending specific bottles. As the seasons change though it seems like a good time to let you know about some of the new wines we have tasted that are perfect to enjoy over the summer.

Like most wine consumers our tastes change as the weather warms, we seek out lighter and crisper whites, and in reds we look for varietals and winemaking styles that go great with dining out of doors and pair well with grilled foods. One of the white varietals we seek out more this time of year is Grner Veltliner, which is the most widely planted grape in its native Austria. When made by the Austrians it is crisp and dry and sees no oak barreling, and while we have found some domestic productions of the varietal we find the best to be those from the old country. We really like the 2012 Lenz Moser Grner Veltliner, 14. It comes in a full 1 liter bottle so it has an extra glass for those long toasty summer afternoons by the lake and is loaded with flavors of tart green apples and citrus, perfect with a picnic lunch of cold fried chicken, cheese and cured meats.

We also love Sauvignon Blanc this time of year and we are seeing so many we like from all over the world. The la Petite Perrire from French producer Verigny in the Loire Valley is just delight 13. Again no oak barreling no Semillon added in, the wine is loaded with flavors of pink grapefruit and hints of lemon crme mid palate. Like the Grner it is the perfect light quaffer for a warm afternoon and will pair well with everything from chips and guacamole, to grilled lobster salad, or even the wild Copper River salmon that is now in the markets.

One of the most misunderstood red wines is Beaujolais. Made from the Gamay grape in the tiny Beaujolais appellation of France, most folks are familiar with it only from the Noveaux Beaujolais that is released each January, which bears no resemblance to the great vintage wines made from the grape. We had the opportunity to try 2 we were very fond of at a recent trade tasting that we are now priviliged to have in the market.

The 2011 Cuve Traditionnelle from Vissoux, 18 has a nose that is complex and extracted showing hints of coffee, meat, smoke and ripe summer cherries. The palate is rich and round with good acid making it a great food wine as most Beujolais is. The finish is simply lovely with layers and layers of earth and ripe cherry flavors.

Also delicious is the 2011 Cuve Delys from Bouland Morgon 30. The wine is a bit richer than the Vissoux, also shows a coffee note on the nose and lovely cherry flavors throughout, and has good acid so it will pair well with food. Both of these wines will be great with poultry. In fact we had dinner with friends where they featured this wine with their fabulous roast duck, or they will go with richer fish and seafood dishes like simply grilled salmon or grilled lobster salad.

On the more casual side of the wine world we really like the 2011 Rib Shack Red from South Africa which is a blend of Pinotage and Shiraz ($12). We tried this little gem just a couple of weeks ago and brought the wine in immediately. It is lush, ripe and round with cherry and ripe summer berry flavors and a nice firm finish. As you might guess from the name it is perfect with food from the grill. We sold out of our first shipment in less than a week, giving customer confirmation to what we thought of the wine. It is due back into the shop in mid-June just in time for Father's Day.

Finally the 2010 Barbed Wire Meritage from Napa ($13) is a delightful Bordeaux blend of all five varietals; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Malbec ($13). Like most Cab-based blends it is more full bodied than the other wines we have talked about with flavors of ripe dark plums and hints of cedar, vanilla and dark stone fruits on the nose. If you are grilling up a hearty steak or burger this is the wine for you.

All of these wines will well accent your summer entertaining, or fit the bill for a more intimate lakeside gathering. Stop by the shop or ask your favorite wine professional for other bottlings too that will be perfect with your summer plans.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party - a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo and is the wine editor for Coeur d'Alene Magazine www.cdamagazine.com. You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.