5 Wines for July By Alexander Pesenti
5 Wines for July
By Alexander Pesenti
As the summer sun comes into full force and the temperature rises outside, it is nice to sit back and appreciate some refreshing wines. Whether you are at home or near the beach, the wines on this list will definitely help you combat the heat. The various styles offered will cater to a variety of preferences. With any luck you should find a wine that aligns with your palette.
Pasqua, 11 Minutes Rosé $19.99
From Verona, Italy, this salmon colored Rosé is perfect for a hot summer’s day. The Pasqua Rosé consists of a blend of many local varietals. Containing Corvina, Trebbiano, Syrah, and Carmenere grapes, this wine is full of captivating aromas and flavors. Trebbiano and Syrah work to give the wine its body, while lighter fruit flavors are a result of the Corvina and Carmenere grapes. Pasqua is situated in the foothills of the Alps and their vines are predominately propagated facing south. Combining this with the continental climate of Verona, you get a wine that may be paired with well-sauced pasta dishes, fish tacos, and fried vegetables.
Willamette Valley Vineyards, Riesling $14.99
About an hour South of Portland, you will find the Willamette Valley Vineyards Winery. Their Riesling is produced in a moderate to cool climate that is influenced by the Pacific Ocean. Being a bit more inland, the vines in the region may also experience warmer, possibly even dry, summers in the valley. By the time the grapes are ready for harvest they will have built up plenty of sugar to help them ferment into full, refreshing wines. When you uncork a bottle, you will almost immediately be met with notes of apple and honey. As the wine sits in the glass, other notes like pear, lemon and some minerality may be observed. Pairing well with spicy dishes or seafood, this wine will leave you wanting more. This Riesling is very easy to drink, and it is just as good cold!
Aveleda Fonte, Vinho Verde $9.99
Vinho Verde is a region of northern Portugal, where the vineyards of the area are influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The Aveleda winery can be found in the southern part of Vinho Verde; east of the populous community of Porto, in a sub-region called Minho. This lightly carbonated style of wine is composed entirely of the Loureiro grape. The varietal usually displays some dry citrus, and light vegetable notes while maintaining a light mouthfeel. When drinking the wine, you will notice as the flavor of the fruit expands on the palate that it is met by dry and crisp carbonation. This wine makes for a perfect pairing with seafood dishes.
Loimer Lois, Grüner Veltliner $16.99
Possibly the most diverse of the bunch, this Austrian white wine will surprise you with its bubbles! Loimer winery is located in the north of Austria, from Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), of the Kamptal DAC. The vines at Loimer are planted south-facing over rolling hills. This allows passing winds to cool the vines and topsoil during the hotter months. Their Grüner Veltliner endures cold winters as well as warm summers, resulting in full and ripe grapes upon harvest. Carbonation is injected during the bottling process as the wine may come across dry and tart. This makes for a very refreshing summer-wine that presents notes of citrus and light spices with good tartness and bubbles. Upon opening a bottle, the wine is very fresh so it is best to find a young vintage for ideal freshness.
Lucien Albrecht, Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé $21.99
Lucien Albrecht, a winery in Alsace, is just over a thirty minute drive from southern Germany. Surrounding the Rhine river in Northeastern France, Alsace’s climate is semi-continental. Warm winds blow past vineyard rows, gently nurturing the vines to their full potential. This Brut Rosé wine is made up of one hundred percent Pinot Noir grapes; a delicate grape grown all over the world. The varietal usually boasts notes of cherries, raspberries, and currants. With this sparkling wine, however, Pinot Noir grapes are fermented in the same style as champagne. This is a common practice within the Cremant D’Alsace AOC. This Brut Rosé represents the full and delicious red fruit flavors of a well ripened Pinot Noir, while delivering the same dry, crisp, and refreshing carbonation that champagne may offer.
About Alex
Alexander Pesenti is an aspiring sommelier and wine enthusiast. He has lived his whole life in Palos Verdes. While studying at Cal Poly Pomona for his degree in Agricultural Science, Alex discovered his love for wine. Having recently completed his level 1 sommelier certification, he is working towards furthering his certification. Along with his passion for wine comes the desire to spread awareness of the diversity that wine has to offer.
Here’s the link to Alex’s LinkedIn:(https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-pesenti-221216153/)