Summer Wines!

Summer is here, and while I am spending my days buying and selling the big, tannic, full bodied reds in our 2009 Bordeaux Futures offer, by late afternoon I am dreaming about summery refreshing whites, lighter bodied reds, and especially rosé. For the list of our current pink wine offerings click here: Drink Pink!  For some summery wines I am lovin' right now, read on! All are available at the shop at 56 Degree Wine.

2009 Domaine de Terrebrune Bandol Rose - ORGANIC - Available in 750ml $30 and Magnums for $70 - what a great summer party wine! - While this wine can actually age, soften and change wth bottle age for 10 years and more, I find that perhaps its best expression is the vibrant, bright liveliness of its youth. Grown in the sunny south of France in the region of Bandol in Provence, it captures the essence of summer in this idyllic region. Pale Salmon color, hints of raspberry on the nose and palate, tinge of tannin, lovely acidity, great texture and mouth feel. Great all on its own, with a salad nicoise, grilled tuna, bronzino or brendade or snapper, grilled and served with ratatouille or tapenade or grilled summer vegetables. 
Region: Bandol (Provence), France
Grape: Mourvedre, Grenache & Cinsault
Farming: Certified Organic
Terroir: Limestone gravel and brown clay
Drink: Now - 2013
Cuisine:
ABV: 13% 


2008 Quinta da Aveleda Grinalda Reserva DOC, Vinho Verde - $13.50 - I pour this wine at events and tastings every chance I can and it is always the biggest hit! I used to be surprised, but now it is being enjoyed by hundreds of our clients who have discovered its pure, lovely crisp and refreshing style. Made from Trajadura, Loureiro, and Alvarinho, local grapes that grow in this cool northern part of Portugal. It's summer in a bottle - great all on its own, low alcohol, perfect with light seafood - clams, shrimp, cockles, mussels, Asian cuisine, Thai...could go on and on!
Region, Vinho Verde, Portugal
Grapes: 55% Loureiro, 32% Trajadura & 13% Alvarinho
Terrior: Granite
Vinification: Stainless Steel Tank (No Oak)
Drink: Now
Cuisine: Light appetizers, shellfish & light fish
ABV: 11.5%



2009 Azienda Agroforestale Fontezoppa Verdicchio di Matelica, Marche DOC - $14.50 - This region is located in the hills between San Severino and Serrapetrona in the heart of the Marche, not far from the Adricatic sea on the east coast of Italy. Cool, crisp and refreshing, with nice core of medium bodied crisp fruit. All stainless steel fermentation keep it lively - perfect for raw fish, ceviche, shrimp scampi, linguini with white clam sauce, or all on its own.
Region: Marche, Italy
Grape: 100% Verdicchio
Vinification: Stainless Steel Tank (No Oak)
Drink: Now - 2012
Cuisine: Raw Fish, Ceviche, Shrimp, Scallops or by itself
ABV: 13%


2008 Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Blanc, Provence - $27.50 - One of the most beautiful wine regions in the world, the vineyards are on the very edge of the Mediteranean in beatiful sunny Provence, not far from were the Bandol Rose is grown. A blend of 50% Marsanne, 35% Clairette and 15% Ugni Blanc, the wines from this region are little seen as they are drunk up locally for the most part. Crisp, clean, yet with lovely floral notes and even a hint of peach and pineapple, all wrapped nicely in lively acidity. Great on on it's own, or with all sorts of light summer fare. Grilled mild fish like Bronzino or Snapper with lemon, some herbs, a little olive oil and some grilled summer veggies would do it for me!
Region: Cassis (Provence), France
Grapes: 50% Marsanne, 35% Clairette & 15% Ugni Blanc
Drink: Now - 2011
Cuisine: Seafood of all sorts - seared or sushi style scallops, tuna, swordfish, rouget, fresh sardines, or as an aperitif with anti-pasti, olives, cheeses, saucissons, crusty bread.
ABV: 13%

2009 Domaine Daniel Pollier Saint Veran "En Messie" - $16.50 - Our number one "go-to" house white! This single vineyard Saint Veran is made from a husband and wife team in the Macon region of France where they make lovely, clean, balanced and nearly perfect wines from their hand tended excellent parcels of vines.  Probably the best value in Chardonnay in the world, the '09 is moderately rich, with nice creamy texture and lovely acidity underneath to keep it lively and fresh on the palate. 
Region: Saint Veran (Burgundy), France
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Drink: Now - 2012
Cuisine: everything chardonnay!
ABV: 13%

2008 Domaine des Billards Beaujolais St Amour - $22 - Good Beaujolais is NOT an oxymoron! Possibly the quintessential summer red, when made right it is more like a Pinot Noir in style, body and character. The Cru St. Amour from Billards is lively, medium bodied with lovely crisp cherry tones but not in the fruit bomb sense - no tutti fruity Beaujy here ! Perfect on a warm summer day with fried or grilled chicken, grilled tuna, light meats like pork, duck - even a steak. A few minutes on ice won't hurt this on a warm summer's eve either!
Region: St Amour (Beaujolais), France
Grape: 100% Gamay Noir
Terroir: Sandstone pebbles underlying granite outcrops & clay
Farming: Organic farming
Drink: Now - 2015
Cuisine: Turkey, roasted chicken, poussin, and other light dishes.
ABV: 13%

2008 Domaine Maillard Bourgogne Rouge - $30 -  One of our most successful wines in the shop, this lovely little Bourgogne Rouge is a near perfect summer red. Made from vines located around the villages of Ladoix and Chorey in the Cotes du Beaune it has classy Burgundian Pinot character, lively acidity, beautiful nose of cherries, red fruits and a hint of earth.Perfect with lighter meats: duck, veal, pork, grilled or roasted poultry, salmon. Also not bad with a wee bit of a chill!
Region: Burgundy, France

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Drink: 2010-2014
Cuisine: Duck, poussins, salmon, veal
ABV: 13%