My “Beach Wine” Playlist 🍷
Counting down to summer with a wine playlist for the beach! The kinds of wines to enjoy when the sun is shining, and to wine down with at the end of the day on the patio, or by the bonfire.
It’s no surprise that a Provencal Rosé will make my wine playlist, and a bottle (or two) of chilled white wine is an obvious summer selection. For those with a red wine palate, like me, I’ve included a few fabulous reds that are perfect for summer, and I can’t believe I am saying this, but I have learned that a few of these wines can, and should, be chilled.
Tried, tested, and true…this weekend I hosted the Fabulous Girls Wine Society and presented the best wines for the beach that included a white Txakolina, sparkling white wine in a can, a Provencal Rosé, a chilled Gamay, a chilled Garnacha, and a fabulous Camenere.
2016, Mendraka, Bizkaiko Txakolina, Basque Country, Spain
If you google search ‘best wines to bring to the beach’, the white wines from the Txakoli (pronounced ‘CHAK-o-lee’) region on the Basque coast of Northern Spain are consistently noted. Native to this region, Hondarrabi Zuri is the main grape used in making white Txakoli, an historic wine typically produced for locals.
The wine is refreshing with a light golden appearance and slight green highlights. Mendraka features aromas of minerals, fresh pear and green apple – definitely green apple! And this wine pairs perfectly with seafood. Our Fabulous Girls Wine Society tasted this wine with a shrimp cocktail and it was…fabulous. Apparently this wine is also recommended with a clambake, which I have never tried, but if anyone is interested here is a link to Martha Stewart‘s recipe https://www.marthastewart.com/256175/stove-top-clambake
For a beach picnic, try: Wine in a Can
Wine packaging innovation has come a long way, we’ve seen the rise of premium wines with screw caps and high-end boxed wines – and wine in a can is the next evolution. Eco-friendly, recyclable, light to ship, and highly convenient – they’re extremely fun and novel, and what’s inside can be delicious. That’s good news for people who want to bring wine to the beach, since bare feet and glass bottles aren’t an ideal match. Oro Bello Wines makes a 4-pack box of 187ml single serve cans that are “ready to go” for any occasion (in your purse for the movies, in a backpack for the golf course, or your blanket on the beach…) and advertised as such. This easy drinking California sparkling white wine is enjoyable, gluten-free and vegan friendly. Tip from the Fabulous Girls Wine Society: this wine is better consumed directly from the can, if you pour this wine in to a glass the nose is distracting (not in a good way) and needs time to settle. The concept is great and I would love to find a Prosecco or a Spanish Cava in a can in the future!
On a boat, on the beach, or by the pool, try: Provencal Rose
I love this, from an article I found online – ‘whether you’re on a Mediterranean yacht, sailing on the coast, or just watching “Overboard” on the couch enjoying the cool breeze of your air conditioner, there’s something about rose from Provence that’s a perfect nautical moment in a glass.’ Light, delicate, and refreshing, and made from grapes such as grenache, syrah, and cinsault, they are classically quite dry with just the right touch of fruit and a crisp finish.
My Wine Playlist top pick is Whispering Angel –the perfect summer Rosé. In fact, Whispering Angel is the world’s most popular Rosé. Sacha Lichine, owner of Chateau d’Esclans, has claimed that Whispering Angel is the greatest wine brand that’s come out of France in the last 20 years. FUN FACT: Whispering Angel is also the rosé infused in Sugarfina’s Rosé all Day Gummy Bears! (A fabulous Mother’s Day gift idea, but order soon as they are always sold out!) For the record, another Provençal Rosé that I would highly recommend is Miraval Rosé, a collaboration of the winemaker with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
Chill out with a red … here’s the 101
Drinking red wines slightly chilled can be a good alternative to crisp whites or rosés during the summer months and, while you might think twice about doing this with a Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Shiraz, there are a few red wines that are better slightly chilled. Think of the refreshing reds served straight from the fridge in tumblers in Mediterranean bars. As a general rule, chill lighter styles of red that have a good dose of primary fruit and without too much tannin.
Two red varietals that benefit from a chill are Gamay and Grenache.
Gamay is the juicy, colorful grape associated with Beaujolais nouveau. It’s typically light in style, with low amounts of tannins, lots of acidity, and similarities to pinot noir and syrah. Truthfully I had never tried a Beaujolais before, so it was an interesting experience, the pinot noir style presents forward and ends syrah-like. Cru Beaujolais is more concentrated, terroir driven and has a longer finish, and is the wine I selected for my wine playlist. The Fleurie Beaujolais is the “Queen of Beaujolais” and begins with floral notes of violet, rose, iris, with a typical peppery note which then evolves in to red fruits. The finish is smooth and long.
Due to the lean nature of Beaujolais, some of its flavors can remain relatively muted when served without any chill. 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator, and the fresh, sour cherry characteristics of Beaujolais and the Gamay grape are allowed to shine
Grenache is relatively low in tannins and acid but is high in alcohol. A grape that makes plenty of rosés, it’s favoured for it’s fruitiness and texture. A well-structured Grenache that has been produced with the intention of aging for many years should probably be served at cellar temp, but younger Grenaches that are fresher and more lively, are ideal when given just a bit of chill, and their white pepper characteristics tend to really come out once the wine has been cooled down.
The Terrai OVG 15 (old vine Grenache) from Spain is 100% Garnacha. This is a great opportunity to taste the varietal in its purity. Grenache is reflective of its environment and can be produced in a range of styles from rosé, to light bodied or bold. It is best served chilled to 17C. From the Winemaker: it is raspberry beret colour. OVG is fruit driven, with hints of spice and minerality, Warm raspberry and plums, baking in the sun. There is a chalky aroma, almost like the old Popeye cigarette candies. OMG, I love this, who remembers Popeye cigarette candies?
How to chill red wine:
Other red wines to consider chilling this summer include: BARBERA, ZINFANDEL, TOURIGA NACIONAL
Put red wine in a fridge for 20-25 minute before serving (set the timer on your oven or your phone so you don’t forget to remove it), or place the bottle in an ice bucket (or wine bag) filled with ice and some water for about 10-15 minutes.
Ideally, chilled red wines are served at a temperature around 13 – 17°C
Don’t over-chill! If red wine gets too cold (below 12°C) aromas and flavours become muted, tannins take on an astringent quality and the wine can feel unpleasantly tight.
The perfect bonfire evening pairing, try a Carmenere:
For winding down after a full day of beachy fun, gathering around a bonfire is a time-honoured tradition that can only be improved with the addition of a great wine. Rustic, spicy reds are typical for backyard barbecues and cool nights by the firepit. Many people like to pair Zinfandel wines with barbecued foods (I know I do!), but an online article in my research suggested that Zins may be too heavy, and too alcoholic for hot weather. The recommendation was to pair barbecue with Carmenere. The spicy, oftentimes herbaceous character of a Carmenere really complements condiments and marinades.
We tried the Carmen Gran Reserva 2016 Carmenere and it was fabulous. From the winemaker: it’s a dense and concentrated wine with an intense dark purple color. The nose is rich and very honest to the variety showing ripe berries, sweet spices and tobacco. Spicy anise and paprika add complexity. The palate is generous, with supple texture and sweet tannins that are smooth and concentrated. The wine has persistency and great length. Drink now to 2022.
My Wine Playlist 