Ah, summertime and the living is easy: long days, warm evenings and relaxing with friends around the outdoor grill. These are my favorite days of the year and the best time to enjoy chilled, summertime wines such as Rosé and Viognier.
Rosé wine, with gorgeous hues ranging from salmon to brilliant pink, can be made from just about any red grape varietal. Grapes are lightly crushed and left to soak in the red skins for a limited number of hours—depending on how dark the winemaker wants the color of the finished wine to be.
One of the best things about rosé wine is its versatility—with the acidity of white and the fruit flavors of red, it’s a happy medium between the two. So these wines are great with barbecue as well as any other summer meal.
Between Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy and Hollister there are an abundance of these refreshing wines in all different styles and flavor profiles. The following round-up of our rosés, range from dry (not sweet) to off-dry (a little sweet). It’s interesting to note that no two of our wineries use the same grape varietal to produce their rosés.
Lightheart Cellars, in San Martin, offers two dry and crisp rosés. Its 2012 Enchante, made from Merlot grapes, is garnet-red with juicy watermelon flavors, and the ruby-red 2012 Serendipity picks up a peppery flavor from Zinfandel grapes, finishing with flavors of cherry and plum. Chill these two beauties in a silver ice-bucket and pair with seared salmon.
Tom Kruse, winemaker/owner at Thomas Kruse Winery, the antithesis of a wine snob, said, “Our Blanc de Noir, a dry rosé made from Pinot Noir, is a perfect summertime wine. Serve with an ice cube.”
Guglielmo Winery features Grignolino, a red Italian grape, to make its rosé. The 2013 Rosatello has bright acidity and sturdy tannins that will stand up to the big flavors of any dinner made with marinara and garlic.
Travel down the palm-tree-lined driveway to Jason-Stephen’s Winery for a taste of the dry 2012 Estate Rosé, made mostly from Mourvedre. This pretty wine is a shimmery coral color with a strawberries and cream finish.
Pietra Santa makes their 2010 Rosato from 100 percent estate grown Dolcetto grapes. This crisp, dry rosé is fermented and aged in stainless steel and has fresh flavors of wild strawberries.
Made from Sangiovese grapes, Vino Roseo di Sangiovese 2012 from Solis Winery is a rosé with a bit of sweetness. It’s a beautiful, bright pink color with flavors of strawberry and watermelon—ideal with spicy cuisine or as a warm weather aperitif.
Tropical fruits, peaches and honey are some of the most common descriptions for Viognier (vee-own-yay), my other favorite summertime wine. Not only does this wine have a name that is fun to pronounce, it is a white grape varietal that produces enticing, aromatic wines. Like rosés, Viognier wines vary between dry and a little sweet and should be enjoyed while still young.
Calera Winery in Hollister offers two Viogniers: the 2012 Central Coast has mouthwatering flavors of ripe grapefruit while the 2012 Mt. Harlan has tropical fruit and honey flavors. Take in the spectacular views of the Diablo Mountains while sipping these delicious wines.
Taste the DeRose 2013 Viognier while viewing the only permanent display of Graham-Paige automobiles in the world. The DeRose Viognier is like sipping out of a pineapple—with a clean, dry finish.
Therese Martin’s 2012 Viognier, at Martin Ranch starts with a gardenia aroma, with aniseed and honey midway through, finishing with an “apricot kiss.” A wine club exclusive, snag one of their picnic tables overlooking the vineyards to enjoy this wine.
The 2012 Benevolent Viognier puts the “family” in Aver Family Vineyards—dedicated to the winemaker’s mother-in-law who inspired others with her benevolent kindness to others, this wine has delicious pineapple, tropical fruit and honey flavors.
Play a little bocce ball under their grand oak trees while enjoying Sarah’s Vineyard’s 2012 Estate Viognier—light gold with buttery, white peach flavors that finish dry.
The two off-dry Viogniers on this list come from Hollister’s Leal Vineyards and Guerra Cellars. Leal’s wine tastes of tropical fruits with slight honey sweetness at the end. Guerra’s has peach, vanilla and honeydew flavors. Both are amazing destination wineries.
• July 11: Joe Sharino Band at Guglielmo Winery, 6 to 10 p.m., $30 per person. Tickets always sell out in advance, so order your tickets now by calling (800) 838-3006.
• July 13: Cricket games at Kirigan Cellars, 10 a.m. to 5 pm. Free.
• July 25-27: The 36th annual Garlic Festival, don’t miss the shaded and misted Wine Pavillion with local wineries, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Aug. 3: An Epicurean Tasting Event featuring Solis Winery at the Cypress Hotel in Cupertino, 3 to 6 p.m. Call (650) 743-5397 for reservations.
• Wednesday nights (July 16, 30 and Aug. 20): Vines and Vibes at Guglielmo Winery, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday nights (through Labor Day): Time for Wine Music at Clos LaChance, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
• Friday nights (through Sept. 26): Summer Music Series at Sarah’s Vineyard, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
