Prosecco for the patio: An expert guide to the perfect picnic wine
No ambitious picnic or classy barbecue ignores the question of drink. Beer and soft drinks are easy enough to agree on. But wine? That’s a different story.
No summer drink is more intimidating than wine. Too many choices. Labels in foreign tongues. The time you forgot the corkscrew, thought the paring knife would do and got three stitches in the ER.
But it doesn’t have to be that painful. Here are a few suggestions for excellent summer wines from $5 to $15, from Buffalo Spree wine writer Mark Criden and Premier Group wine manager Rick McLeod.
Whether you want crisp and fruity flavors to go with your chicken teriyaki, or a more bold, even exuberant drink to complement spicy sausages, they’ve got you covered, with Borsao for the beach, vinho verde for the veranda, prosecco for the patio.
Lots of screw-top bottles, too. Lots of good stuff comes that way now, not just Boone’s Farm. Chill it down until you’re ready to serve it, especially if you’re going to drink out of plastic cups.
Relax and enjoy. At the sort of prices you’d pay for a bottle or two of fancy beer, you can afford to make a few mistakes.
Criden, the executive director of Temple Beth Zion, started his bargain-hunting in Spain, which offers “some of the greatest wine values in the world today.”
Reds
A famed cooperative produces Borsao 2007, a red garnacha that is a “stunning value” at $8, Criden said (all prices approximate). Its lush black raspberry flavors would go well with steak or pasta.
“It’s romantic, not serious,” he said. Like many summer wines, “It’s delicious without having to think about it,” Criden said. “Let’s face it, you want something that’ll wash down barbecue and make your blanketmate happy.”
The 2006 Carchelo, an $8 red mourvedre, is a bit heavier, built for drinking with grilled meat, fajitas, smoked chicken and duck.
At $11, the 2007 Castano Monastrell costs a bit more, but it’ll make your burgers taste better. Not to mention it’s cork-less, one classy screw-top bottle for your next picnic, Criden said. “Nothing worse than going to a picnic and being without a corkscrew,” he said.
If it’s sausages on the barbie, pick up a $10 bottle of 2006 Las Rocas Garnacha, whose bold burst of black cherry is “quite a bit of flavor for your money.”
Among French reds is 2005 Les Heretiques, at $9, Criden’s favorite budget bottle of them all. “Unbelieveable value,” hearty red fruit and toasty spice flavors that go well with roast poultry and grilled beef.
A 2006 Andezon Cotes du Rhone, a $13 red, offers loads of dark fruit and plum. It’s a wine that “drinks very much above its station,” he said. Another recommended Cotes du Rhone is the 2006 Guigal, relatively pricey at $15 — but juicy and delicious. It’s a great “safe bet” wine if you’re not sure what to bring, Criden said.
The 2007 Cono Sur, an $8 Chilean carmenere, sports blackberry and plum aromas and “overtones of chocolate, but is not sweet,” said Premier’s McLeod. It’s a screw-top, for picnic ease.
Whites
In white wines, Criden zeroed in on Portugese “vinho verde,” literally green wine, designed to be drunk, not saved. At $6, 2008 Gazela offers “uncritical quaffing” in a screw-top that would go well alongside a vegetable tray and dip, salads or anything vinaigrette.
For a more adventurous bottle, try the 2007 Martin Codax Albarino, which Criden called “quite a mouthful of wine for $13.” Try it with grilled fish, shrimp without a heavy sauce, or lemony, citrus-based dishes, he said.
The Italian shelves yielded up 2007 Vitiano Bianco, a $12 white made from verdicchio and vermentino grapes. It’s floral and honeyed, a little richer, Criden said, excellent with poultry or light pastas.
Another of Criden’s screw-top suggestions among Italian whites is 2007 Kris Pinot Grigio, $13. Grilled fish and chicken salad come to mind for pairings, he said.
At $8 a bottle, the French 2007 Domaine de Pouy is the white Criden would buy to serve with appetizers at a big barbecue. “It’s reliable, easy drinking and a tremendous white for the price,” he said.
Rieslings are aromatic whites that can be refreshing chilled, like the 2007 Loosen Bros., scented with rich apricot and lemon zest, Criden said. It’s “a steal” at $12, he said, and a screw-top to boot.
The 2007 Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc, $13, carries notes of grapefruit and lemon. It’s a screw-top bottle from California’s Napa Valley that goes great with grilled tuna, Criden said.
If you’re interested in a bottle from the Niagara Peninsula, Criden suggested 2006 Cave Spring Riesling or Chardonnay ($12, $11). In New York State, the 2006 Salmon Run Chardonnay, by Dr. Konstantin Frank, caught Criden’s eye.
“At $11, I don’t know of a better value in American chardonnay,” he said.
A New Zealand sauvignon blanc, 2007 The Crossings, rounded out Criden’s slate as a $10 white. Sporting aromas of passionfruit and melon flavors, it pairs well with shellfish or chilled summer soups.
Premier’s McLeod suggested 2007 Ku De Ta sauvignon blanc, a $10 screw-top bottle from Chile. It offers tropical and citrus fruit aromas, he said. “It’s real crisp and great with seafood, or lighter fare, even Thai food,” he said.
Another Chilean, the 2008 Emiliana gewurtztraminer from Chile, reminded McLeod of what “gewurtztraminer” means. “ ‘Gewurtz’ means spicy, and this has that spicy element to it,” he said. “It can handle Asian food or anything spicy.” Also organically grown, the screw-top is $10.
An Argentine wine that plays well with seafood is 2008 Crios de Susana Torrontes, at $13, McLeod said. “It’s great with seafood, very floral, crispy,” McLeod said. “You’re drinking this on a picnic blanket. You want something light and fruity.”
Sparkling
A bottle of bubbly tastes great on a blanket, and you aren’t likely to find better values than Domaine Ste. Michelle, blanc de blanc, brut and extra dry, Criden said. At $13, it’s a delicious treat.
Capped with a regular pry-off bottle cap, Mionetto “Il” Prosecco ($11) has a refreshing fruity dryness with hints of peach that make it disappear quickly.
If you’re having brunch, consider 2006 Moscato D’Asti for an appetizer and dessert wine, Criden suggested. It’s $12, and its low 5 percent alcohol will help people get on with their day.
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