by Shelly Smith and Bill Lavergne
I had a chance to interview, Bill Lavergne (owner of BKL Wine Merchants) about how to choose the right wine to enjoy in the summer. Hope you learn as much as I did from my chat with Bill.
What characteristics define a great summer wine?
A wine that has a light body, crisp acidity, low tannins (formed from grape skins, seeds, and stems) and is balanced (with no one characteristic of the wine standing out). Most people prefer their patio wines with pronounced fruity characteristics
Are there any emerging trends or underrated wines you think people should try this summer?
Definitely Lambrusco! These sparkling wines are from the Lambrusco wine region in the Emilia-Romagna region; northeast of Tuscany and it is also the name of the grape varietal. There are at least 21 known Lambrusco varieties, however Sorbara and Salamino are two of the most common. The wine is chillable (even the reds!), light in body and delicious. Most typically you will find red Lambrusco in stores, but they come in various shades of rosé as well.
What regions produce the best summer-friendly wines?
Anywhere with a culture of sitting on a patio in beautiful weather tends to have good summer wines (e.g. the Mediterranean coastline). Some of the best values come from Northern Portugal and Spain.
How does serving temperature affect the taste of summer wines?
A rule of thumb is ‘the sweeter or more aromatic the wine the cooler you should serve it’. A lower temperature makes sugars less noticeable; but can also make tannins appear harsher and some aromas and flavours are muted. Some recommendations are:
• Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Gewurtzraminer, etc. (not oaked) – serve cooler as they are much more aromatic. Serve directly from the fridge.
• Chardonnay (not oaked) – A more neutral grape. Remove from the fridge ten minutes before serving.
• Oaked wines or light-bodied reds have more tannins, so serve with a lighter chill.
What is your stance on chilling red wines for warm-weather drinking?
Bill highly recommends doing this. Place the bottle in the fridge for five to ten minutes before serving.
If you could drink only one wine all summer, which would it be?
Paltrinieri ‘Piria’ Lambrusco Rosé. It is affordable, with gorgeous red fruit aromas and flavours along with a creamy texture and fine bubbles. You can pair it with almost anything or just enjoy on its own.
What’s one unique wine-related experience or memory that stands out to you?
Bill has had the opportunity to enjoy vertical tastings (series of vintages from a single wine) with two different well-known wines. One vertical consisted of over a dozen vintages, the other a half-dozen. Bill and others at the tastings agreed that the best vintages do not always correlate with the best tasting wine once aged. Good producers make great wines almost every year, and you may be surprised by the quality of the wine from less expensive vintages.
Click here to the Springbank Hill Community News home page for the latest Springbank Hill community updates.
