Drink Red Wine this Summer

When temperatures rise, people tend to reach for white wine. I say break that habit and try something out of the ordinary – reach for a bottle of red wine this summer. Here are some tips:

Tip 1: Try chilled rosé wines. They are refreshing and versatile with food. LDV Winery makes wonderful rosé wines. Drink it chilled a bit for a refreshing summertime drink.

Tip 2: Many people drink red wines too warm. Typically, room temperature in most of our homes with the air conditioning on is about 75-76 degrees. Chill down red wines to about 65 degrees, especially in the summer, for a more enjoyable experience. Put your red wine in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes before serving. Pull the cork on a perfectly chilled red and float around the pool while the sun fades over the horizon.

Tip 3: Even though we tend to eat lighter in the summer because of all the fresh fruits and vegetables available, don’t give up on the reds. Consider using flavorful balsamic vinegar-based dressings and bold spices so you can enjoy a red wine with your salad. Grenache is a great red wine for salads. Also, light a fire and grill those vegetables and fresh fruit. Drizzle them with fig balsamic or flavored olive oil and open a bottle of red wine.

Tip 4: Keeping with the lighter eating theme, cheeses and fruits pair well with red wines. Sharp cheddars, blue-veined cheeses, and aged parmesan are great, along with red grapes, cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, and dried fruits such as cranberries.

Tip 5: Don’t put away the grill! Just because summer temperatures rise doesn’t mean a grilled New York strip steak with balsamic-caramelized onions and a bottle of Petite Sirah need to wait until fall! We are lucky in Arizona to be able to BBQ year-round, but most of the U.S. is just uncovering the grill. There is nothing more American than pairing a great Grenache with a charcoal-grilled burger topped with thick slices of bacon and American cheese, all the fixings.

Step out of the norm, light that grill, and add a red wine to the picnic this summer.