Summer Sips

Wish, Summer 2007

Pull up a patio chair and sit a spell

Q. What wines do you recommend for serving at a barbecue?
A. This season, entertain with these cool, lesser-known and up-and-coming varieties.

Rich Red
Try a Rioja from sunny Spain with favourites like grilled lamb or prosciutto-style smoked meats. Multi-award winning Osborne Montecillo Crianza 2003 ($15) has bold aromas of cherry and plum with earthy undertones. Fuller bodied with plenty of red fruit, its oak aging adds depth. Acidity level is fresh and there's a lively finish of chewy cherries.

Crisp White
Refreshing New Zealand sauvignon blanc stands up well to salads with tangy vinaigrettes, or spicier foods and salsas. Try Coopers Creek 2006 ($16.95) for the classic grassy nose with gooseberry and a hint of lemon. Crisply acidic and not subtle at all: a real mouthful. A pleasant surprise of passion fruit on the finish.

Fresh Rosé
Nobody does rosé better than the French, but go Italian with the food: a caprese salad followed by anything with lots of garlic and olive oil. Look to Languedoc in the South of France for a bottle of JeanJean Arabesque Syrah Rosé ($10) Appealing deep salmon colour and great price. The mild, almost candied nose opens up to smoothness on the palate, good acidity and delicate red berry fruit flavours. Lingering finish.

Home-grown Taste
Canadian cab franc, with its lighter tannins and food friendliness, is great with herb-roasted chicken or steak. Try the 2007 Cuvée Awards gold-medal winner Vineland Estates Cabernet Franc VQA 2005 ($13) and enjoy the bold, fruity nose with a hint of herbs and green pepper. Medium bodied, good fruit and great value.