Summertime spumantes
Unlike Champagne, most Italian sparkling wines are made using the Charmat method in which the wine's second fermentation is done in a tank rather than in the bottle.
Summertime and the living is easy. Really? Sunburns, mosquitoes, gigantic electricity bills and sticky ice-cream faced kids? Anything but easy, some might say.
Truth be told, I'm not too crazy about the upcoming heat wave either.
I don't enjoy the sun rising before I even go to sleep or the traffic jams that extend all the way to the beach.
So when summer seeps in, I'd rather think about the long nights I can spend outside on the patio with friends, consuming a delicious meal cooked on the grill while sipping a glass of refreshing wine.
Wine preferences change right along with the weather.
Summer wines are traditionally cold white wines, rosés or light reds that are easy to drink by themselves and work well with the fresh, lighter foods we tend to eat during the hotter months.
Good white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Moscato, should have enough flavor to balance the acidity level and be crisp enough to handle a variety of foods.
Tzora, Givat Hachalukim Rosé 2007: This rose shares the many of the same qualities as the winery's single vineyard reds. You'll find fresh strawberries, rose petal and dried herbs backed up by high acidity and fresh clean finish. NIS 79. (kosher)
Binyamina, Yogev Cabernet Sauvignon - Zinfandel 2007: Made of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Zinfandel grapes, this dry rosé wine is crisp, soft and finishes with a little sweetness. NIS 35 (kosher)
Binyamina, Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve, 2007: Fresh, lively, and inexpensive white. The bright fruit flavors make it appealing as an aperitif, and its crispness make it food-friendly too. NIS 45 (kosher)
Carmel, Regional Series, Chardonnay 2007: The grapes for this wine were picked at Mt. Meron area in the Upper Galilee. Dry crisp and elegant, the wine has green apples and tropical fruit flavors while a hint of roasted almonds lingers on the finish. NIS 60. (kosher)
Carmel, Regional Series, Viognier 2007: a full bodied white with honeysuckle, apricot, and ripe pear aromas. It shows the classic silky Viognier texture while retaining an, balanced structure and refreshing acidity. NIS 60. (kosher)
Another alternative for a refreshing break from the summer heat is a sparkling wine.
The Scottish Company is now importing a selection of sparkling wines from Italy that are varied, tasty and affordable.
When most people think of Italian wine, they think of the robust reds of Tuscany or the delicate white wines of Piedmont; they don't generally think of sparkling wines. But Italy produces more different varieties of spumantes (Italian for sparkling wines) than any other country in the world. Most of Italy's sparkling wines are produced in the cooler regions of northern Italy, particularly Piedmont, Veneto and Lombardy. Unlike Champagne, most Italian sparkling wines are made using the Charmat method in which the wine's second fermentation is done in a tank rather than in the bottles, and the resulting wine is bottled young. This technique is particularly suited to crisp, low-alcohol wines. Generally, sparkling wines produced this way are best consumed when young and have little staying power.
PROSECCO
The Prosecco is a light and fun sparkling wine produced from Prosecco grapes grown in the northern Veneto region of Italy in the foothills of the Alps.
Traditionally, this dry wine was made as a soft, somewhat sweet wine with just a little fizz, but today's Proseccos are dry and very bubbly. Prosecco is sometimes combined with a small amount of Pinot Blanc or Pinot Grigio grapes, and is at its best when consumed within three years of its vintage. However, the highest-quality Prosecco can be aged for up to seven years. Prosecco is a perfect summer wine that is crisp, clean with small bubbles and pairs nicely with fish, salads, and pastas. It is also delicious when combined with fresh peach juice to make Venice's most famous cocktail, the Bellini.
DISTILLERIA BOTTEGA, PROSECCO IL VINO DEI POETI, BRUT
The series of Il Vino dei Poeti (wine of the poet) is dedicated to an annual poets' festival held in the hills that grow these Prosecco grapes.
This Brut sparkler is produced with Prosecco grapes harvested slightly earlier than usual to ensure good acidity and structure, from the best fields of the Conegliano hills in the Veneto region. Gently pressed and fermented at low temperature, the highly fragrant wine becomes a dry, sparkling wine following secondary fermentation.
The wine has a pale straw color with fine bubbles and fresh aromas of pear and citrus. NIS 59 (not kosher)
DISTILLERIA BOTTEGA, PROSECCO IL VINO DEI POETI, D.O.C.
Featuring an exceptionally aromatic bouquet, this wine is fruity and delicate with a taste of apples and honey. The label on the bottle is shaped like the foam coming up from wine that has just been uncorked. NIS 75 (not kosher)
LAMBRUSCO
Lambrusco (named for its grape variety) is made in Emilia-Romagna, which is in the central part of Italy, lying south of the Veneto and north of Tuscany. This is the home of Parmesan-Reggiano cheese and balsamic vinegar. Over time, this slightly acidic wine becomes a great accompaniment for the local foods which are slightly salty and dry. The rich, fruity style of the Lambrusco matches the food of the area perfectly as it cuts through the food with its acidity.
Medici Ermete, Lambrusco, Reggiano Concerto:
With an intense ruby red color, this dry sparkling wine has a pleasant bouquet and is soft, fresh and lively. NIS 55 (not kosher)
Medici Ermete, Reggiano Lambrusco secco:
A sparkling dry red wine made of Lambrusco Salamino and Lambrusco Marani grapes. It has a dark red color with a fruity bouquet, laced with violets and berry fruit. NIS 29 (not kosher)
Medici Ermete, Reggiano Lambrusco dolce:
This is a delicate, sweet, wine rich in citrus and flowery aromas. It will be a perfect partner for antipasti and other delicate foods and is an ideal aperitif wine. NIS 29 (not kosher)
So chill, pop the cork, and think of bubbles for your next outdoor meal.
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