Favorite Summer Wines

by Michael Teer, Pike and Western Wine Shop

Okay, it's Summer and the weather is (hopefully) warmer. Gone are the wool and the polar fleece, replaced by shorts and T-shirts. I like to think of wine in a similar manner. It's time to leave the big, thick, high alcohol reds in the cellar. It's time to lighten up, to drink wines that go with the lighter foods and the heat of summer. With warmer weather I find myself looking for wines that don't weigh me down. I drink more white wine. Not big, rich wines but refreshing, flavorful wines that emphasize the character of the grape rather than wood. Wines like these are perfect with summer meals. Here are a few of my favorites. (While each of these wines is listed on one or more of the three restaurants' wine lists, they are also available at our store, Pike & Western Wine Shop in the Pike Place Market. Retail prices are listed.)

2000 Apremont Vin de Savoie ($10) We don't see wines from this region of France (on the Swiss border) very often but after drinking this I wish we saw more. It's amazingly refreshing, crisp and fruity (no, not sweet) and relatively low in alcohol at 11%. In other words, the perfect warm weather white. It's hard to compare to more familiar wines. It's simply its own delicious thing.

2000 Mason Sauvignon Blanc ($17) Sauvignon blanc, from all over the world is one of my favorite summer wines. Now I don't usually think of Napa Valley as prime sauvignon blanc territory but Mason has forced me to reconsider. It has the classic green, mouthwatering flavors but with a touch more richness than wines from France and New Zealand.

For me, and many of my customers, Summer means dry, fresh roses. Here are two of my favorites. 2000 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbieres Rose ($11) Perennially my favorite rose of the year, the 2000 has just arrived and it will be a staple in my refrigerator for the rest of the summer. Light and delicate, crisp and dry, and absolutely perfect for the many days of sunshine and heat we have to look forward to over the next few months.

2000 Chinook Cabernet Franc Rose ($20) Though only its second vintage this wine has already become a hit. It's patterned after classic French roses but of course it is uniquely of Washington, as all of Chinook's wines are. While showing delicious strawberry like fruit flavors typical of many roses there is a bit more richness of texture that will allow it to stand up to something like fresh salmon better than a lighter rose.

And lest you think I'm ignoring red wines: 1999 Chateau du Trignon Cotes du Rhone ($12) Seattle is drinking lots of Rhone wines these days. Why? Because they taste great and are reasonably priced. This is a current favorite because it has the perfect combination of full flavor and easy drinkability that make it an ideal accompaniment for grilled foods.

1999 Lang and Reed Cabernet Franc ($21.50) Though a cousin of cabernet, cabernet franc is softer, fruitier and much more fun to drink when it is young. This California version is a favorite of mine because of its exuberant flavors and easy drinking style. It's soft enough that you can have it with seafood and can even be served slightly chilled on a warm summer day.