Top 10 Summertime Wines!

Summertime is almost upon us here in the Ozarks and if you're like me at all you're thinking lake, lake and well what should I drink while I'm at the lake! Face it this is a beautiful time of the year and the best time to be outdoors enjoying the wonderful natural surroundings we have...but it's also a shifting time for us wine drinkers! Do I continue to enjoy the big, bold reds, even though the temperatures are rising? Or do I switch it up some and go lighter? What about if you fall in the "I don't like sweet wine" group? For all of those reasons I've put together my Top 10 Summertime Wines...now these are my taste, my perceptions and may not match up with yours but I'll bet they'll spark some discussion! Let me know your favorites...or why you think mine are horrible choices!:)

Summertime Wine TOP 10

10) Pinot Noir ~ Now you knew there had to be at least one red included...and go figure it's Pinot Noir! Seriously try the lighter bodied Pinot Noirs and chill them a slight bit, not too much but just enough to cut the edge off. I recommend 20 minutes in your household fridge prior to drinking. Now if you're at the lake...throw it in the cooler! For this selection I like the Firesteed Pinot Noir from Oregon, a very fruit forward style, simply delightful!

9) Gruner Veltliner ~ Austria's top produced wine, these wines are full of fruity aromas and display flavors of apple, lemon and lime, peaches and usually finish with a good length and nice acidity...making them the perfect pair for seafood! Not sweet though, just fruity....try the Huber Hugo Gruner Veltliner!

8) Sparkling Wine ~ Well if you're celebrating or just relaxing sometimes a nice glass of the bubbly will do the trick! Personally I like the fruity style sparklings with a nice fruit salad or anything very light and fresh! My personal choice this season is the Tobin James Dream Weaver from California...great fruity style!

7) Juicy Reds ~ You're probably saying "juicy reds"!? What about a nice blend of say Grenache/Garnacha, Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz or Pinot Noir...in no particular order! These softer style blends are wonderful because they have depth but are so soft, easy drinking and oh so smooth! A couple picks...Thirsty Fish GSM, Mosby Lucca and Picada 15.

6) Moscato d'Asti ~ A wine most in Springfield know! These semi-sparklers are sweet, yet very refreshing on a hot summer day. Intense peach style fruits, followed by an easy drinking wine that is terrific! Try the Mionetto il Moscato...my favorite!

5) Zweigelt ~ I must be on some type of Austrian wine kick...no kick backs I promise! Zweigelt is Austria's most predominate red grape and is perfect for warmer weather, fairly light bodied with a light sense on spice in the finish! ZZ Top is the call here....Zantho Zweigelt.

4) Vinho Verde ~ Okay now we're into what I would consider my "tie" section...the next four are all great wines! Fresh, fruity and light is this wine in a nutshell...no need for food, just enjoy by itself! Arca Nova Vinho Verde

3) Chenin Blanc ~ You can find these from almost anywhere in the world, but my favs come from South Africa...fruity by nature, yet still dry in the finish. These wines aren't sweet yet still appeal to those "I don't like dry wines" type of person. Try the Ken Forrester Petit Chenin -- great value wine!

2) Rose ~ We're not talking "the other pink wine", these wines are delicious, fruity and dry! Power packed with red fruits such as strawberry, pomegranate and cherry on the nose, yet finishing with a fuller feel -- usually reminiscent of the varietal at hand. Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose & Sofia Pinot Noir Rose are two great choices!

1) Sauvignon Blanc ~ A difficult call but when I think warm weather I automatically think Sauvignon Blanc...these wines are full of grapefruit, passion fruit and a sense of tartness yet have unique characteristics such as herbaceous characters (or grass). New Zealand makes the best, but don't look past South Africa, California and Chile. Redcliffe Sauvignon Blanc...simply put the best New Zealand value on the market!

Those are my "Top 10"...what are yours? Share with us...

Talk to you next time...until then "cheers"