The midsummer months call for refreshing and flavourful wines.Rostislav Sedlacek/iStockPhoto / Getty Images
Given the loads of recreation items, clothing and other essentials waiting to be crammed into the SUV, there’s isn’t much room for wine when we pack for the cottage. Any stray bottles that end up being wedged in – between dog beds and towels – will be augmented by supplies gathered at the LCBO outlet at the local Foodland store near our accommodations.
The easy-drinking and enjoyable Folonari Valpolicella, one of this week’s recommended wines, is sure to be waiting there on a shelf. La Vieille Ferme Luberon Blanc is another staple you can count on for its crowd-pleasing character.
At this time of year, I don’t think about pairing wine with food. Meal planning focuses on dishes that do not to require a lot of effort, leaving more time to spend outside. I figure if I open a refreshing and flavourful wine, like any of these eight bottles, it will pair nicely with what’s for dinner.
Ahi Ka Blackmore Grower Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (New Zealand), $21.95
Rating: 92
In 2003, Marlborough horticulturist John Blackmore turned his organic apple orchard into a sauvignon blanc vineyard. Those grapes provide Ahi Ka winemaker Matt Thomson with the raw ingredients to fashion this vibrant and delectable white wine. Made in a dry and medium-bodied style, this offers peach, citrus and tropical fruit notes as part of a distinctive wine that boasts impressive texture and length. This has 13 per cent ABV and 4 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available in Ontario.
Attems Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Italy), $19.95
Rating: 89
Part of the Frescobaldi family’s operation, Attems is in Fruili in northeastern Italy. Its sauvignon blanc is made in a dry and refreshing style, with citrus and apple flavours accented by riper tropical and green herbal notes. It is a more restrained take on the grape that’s sure to please a crowd. This has 13 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta.
Bisquertt Crazy Rows País 2023 (Chile), $16.95
Rating: 88
Crazy Rows is a label created by Bisquertt winery to market wines made from Chile’s heritage grape varieties. The name refers to the jumble of vines you’d find in Chile’s historic vineyards compared with the orderly precision of modern viticulture practices. This bottle is made with the pais grape, known as the mission grape in California and criolla chica in Argentina, that was brought to the Americas by Spanish missionaries in the 16th century. The resulting wine is bright and juicy with a mix of tart and ripe red fruit and earthy flavours served up as part of a lighter-style red wine. To my taste, this is best enjoyed served chilled (30 minutes in the refrigerator). This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $19.99 in British Columbia.
Domäne Wachau Terrassen Federspiel Grüner Veltliner 2023 (Austria), $19.95
Rating: 90
Federspiel is one of the three quality levels (based on levels of ripeness) for wine whites made in the Wachau region of Austria. It represents the happy medium between Steinfeder and Smaragd, the lightest and richest expressions produced. It means you can expect a fresh and focused model of grüner veltliner from Domäne Wachau. There’s a citrusy character, with a firm and crisp texture that wine pros would call steely. This is a satisfying dry white that’s ready to drink or hold. This has 12 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta.
Folonari Valpolicella 2024 (Italy), $15.80
Rating: 87
Folonari’s standard Valpolicella label is always a safe bet. Made in a light and juicy style that’s not short of flavour, this tastes even better when served lightly chilled. The vibrant flavour makes it enjoyable on its own or served with a wide variety of dishes. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $17.99 in British Columbia ($15.99 until July 26), various prices in Alberta, $17.99 in Manitoba, $16.10 in Quebec, $20 in New Brunswick, $17.65 in Nova Scotia, $20.99 in Prince Edward Island, $19.50 in Newfoundland.
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2023 (Canada), $37.48
Rating: 92
Meyer Family Vineyards operates out of the McLean Creek Road Vineyard in Okanagan Falls, working with vines planted in 1994 including a specially selected mix of five different pinot noir clones that were planted in distinct parts of the 20-acre property. A challenging winter reduced the pinot crop in 2023, which made for a lower production but high-quality year. The style boasts ample fruit (dark cherry, black raspberry) with beetroot and oak-derived spice shining through. This has layers of flavour that make it enjoyable now, but I would suggest holding for a couple of years to enjoy more complexity. This has 13.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2033. Available at the above price direct, mfvwines.com, various prices in Alberta.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallèle 45 Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2023 (France), $18.95
Rating: 90
This refreshing and ready-to-drink white wine is produced with a blend of organically grown viognier, grenache blanc, marsanne, roussanne and clairette. Tank fermentation and six months of aging contribute to the fresh and fruity character, which suggests a pleasing array of apple, peach and melon with some citrus and floral notes that lift the flavour and fragrance. This has 13.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta, $17.90 in Quebec.
Sogrape Grao Vasco Dao 2022 (Portugal), $10.99
Rating: 86
First produced in 1990, Grao Vasco is a blend of touriga nacional and other red wine grapes native to the Dao region in Portugal. An appealing mix of red and black fruit, floral and herbal notes makes for an easy-drinking, inexpensive red that has decent complexity and length. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 6 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2028. Available at the above price in British Columbia ($8.99 until July 26), various prices in Alberta, $9.60 in Ontario, $12.99 in Manitoba.
