The Wine Whirlwind: Summer Wines, Rosé Forecast, Wine & Food Festivals, Vérité Winery
The experts say summer doesn't officially start in the Northern Hemisphere until the solstice on June 20, but we wine lovers are already in a summer state of mind. I feel rejuvenated by the extended hours of sunshine, and the rising temps are a natural match for crisp and refreshing wines. Looking for a new summer sip? Here are three elegant thirst-quenchers I recently enjoyed. Cheers!
Bodega Garzón Single Vineyard Albariño 2023
Uruguay, $45
Summer in a glass! Tropical and mineral with a kiss of sea breeze. It makes me want to put on a flowy sundress and stroll barefoot on the beach.
Hartford Court Rosé of Pinot Noir 2024
Russian River Valley, Sonoma, $35
I was greeted with this vivacious and elegant rosé on my recent visit to Hartford Family Winery. It is crisp and citrusy with bright cranberry and ruby red grapefruit flavors --perfect for al fresco dining. Thank you, Hailey Hartford Murray (president & co-owner) and Tiann Lordan (winemaker).
Planeta Frappato Sicilia Vittoria DOC 2023
Sicily, $22
I love a chilled red, and Planeta Frappato is a long-time favorite. Charming and refreshing, it has bright flavors of red berries and hints of rosé and violets. I recently shared a bottle with winemaker Patricia Toth at an outdoor café in New York City. I was transported back to Sicily, where I had explored Mt. Etna with Patricia a few years ago.
The Rosé Forecast
I love to sip rosé year-round, but there's no denying that refreshing pink wines and summer are a great match. I'm looking forward to trying new rosé wines and new vintages of my favorites. These four are up next in my tasting schedule: Résonance Pinot Noir Rosé 2024, Whispering Angel Rosé 2024, Ingrid Groiss Rosé Ried Hasenhaide 2024, and Tablas Creek Vineyard Dianthus Rosé 2024.
I posted a short video on my Instagram that explains why I'm excited to try these wines.
Winery Spotlight: Vérité, Sonoma
Recently, my life came full circle at Vérité Winery in Sonoma, California. About twenty years ago, I was the events director at a private university club in midtown Manhattan; my responsibilities included organizing the wine and spirit tastings for members. One of those tastings featured the acclaimed wines of Vérité. As the worker bee, I was behind the scenes managing logistics, such as frantically searching for decanters, and did not participate in the tasting. Well, I finally had my own Vérité tasting on-site at the winery.
Gazing at the vineyards, walking through the stunning barrel room, and sipping gorgeous, gracefully aging wines, my visit to Vérité inspired me to reflect on how far I've come in my wine journey. Thank you, Ed Newman, Vérité Estate Ambassador, for an unforgettable experience.
Legendary vintner Jess Jackson founded Vérité in 1998, and French vigneron Pierre Seillan uprooted his life in Bordeaux to join him on this adventure. Jess passed away in 2011, and today, Pierre continues the Vérité vision alongside his daughter and assistant winemaker, Hélène Seillan.
Wine & Food Festivals in Aspen, Charleston, & Santa Fe
I'll be heading to Colorado later this month for my fourth consecutive appearance at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen (June 20-22). I'm looking forward to leading two seminars: Let's Get Franc: The Other Great Cabernet and 'Rosé Gets a Glow Up: The World of Luxe Pink Wines. My participation has also been confirmed for the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston (November 14-16); stay tuned for details on my seminar topics. Early bird tickets for Charleston are on sale until July 31.
I'm looking forward to visiting New Mexico for the first time to attend the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta (September 24-28). I’m honored to have been invited to lead a seminar at this prestigious fes as a presenter. Stay tuned for more details.
Summer Sipping with Somms
For my column in the June/July issue of The SOMM Journal, I asked four sommeliers for their summer wine suggestions. Visit www.sommjournal.com for great summer sip picks from Tomohiro Sato, Mia Van de Water, MS (Master Sommelier), Matt Gant, and Lara Michole Tillotson. My article is on page 12.