Beat the Summer Heat with Cool Wines

Like any wine pairing, there are a few general rules of thumb. First, white wines are an excellent choice for summertime because they’re meant to be served well chilled. However, if red wines are your thing, drink red. Also, you don’t need to spend a small fortune on a great bottle of wine; there are some fantastic wines out there that cost no more than $15. Finally, if you’re going to be enjoying your day out in the sun, make sure you have bottled water on hand to prevent dehydration. Now, with that said, here are a few recommendations:

Sun Seekers -- If your plans involve basking in the sun, soaking up some rays and enjoying a good book, then make sure your cooler is packed with ice, because the wine for you is a light, well-chilled Pinot Grigio. Pinot Grigio is the fastest growing white wine in America, and an excellent choice is Luna di Luna’s new, yellow-bottled Pinot Grigio blend with its vibrant flavors of melon and peaches. Another Pinot Grigio to keep an eye out for, the L’Aristocratico Pinot Grigio from Ca’ Montini was selected “Best of Tasting” from among 50 Pinot Grigios by the “Wall Street Journal” for its delightful character and vivid citrus flavors.

Don’t Worry About the Ants -- Here’s a checklist of picnic essentials: blanket, insect repellant, flatware, plastic plates, tabouli, fresh fruit, chicken Caesar wraps and Pinot Bianco. For sitting in the shade of a tall tree while enjoying lunch in the great outdoors with good friends, there’s no better choice than the green-bottled Pinot Bianco blend from Luna di Luna. A four-pack of 187-mL bottles, ideal for transporting in a cooler or picnic basket, is also available.

Adult Swim -- Hey, you’re never too old for a pool party. A fun way to beat the summer heat is to invite some close friends over for an afternoon of swimming, splashing and pool volleyball. To keep your guests properly refreshed, serve up some simple finger foods like brie and crackers, sliced strawberries, finger sandwiches and a crisp Chardonnay. Brimming with flavors of citrus, vanilla, cashew and oak, Luna di Luna’s Chardonnay comes in an attractive cobalt-blue bottle that makes for an eye-catching decoration once it’s finished.

Smokin’ in the Backyard -- Whether it’s the satisfying sizzle of the grill or the hearty smell of burning mesquite, a backyard barbecue is definitely a summer favorite. So, what wine do you serve with chargrilled chicken, skewered shrimp, rotisserie ribs and smoked sausages? Sauvignon. Ca’ Montini’s Sauvignon, which retails for about $13, has become well known as a versatile white wine that goes well with most foods and is excellent for enjoying in social situations. If your menu calls for steaks or hamburgers, try a dry red wine like the Sangiovese blend from Luna di Luna. This purple-bottled red wine offers a light, velvety complement to roasted red meats with its smooth flavors of raspberry and spice.

Seeing Stars – Once the sun has gone down and the heat of the day has worn off, a wonderful, relaxing way to end your day is to enjoy the warm summer night sitting on your patio or deck staring at the stars with someone special. Luna di Luna’s red-bottled Merlot blend has warm, sweet flavors of wild cherry and chocolate that are ideal for a romantic evening. Another way to toast your special somebody is with a chilled bottle of Luna di Luna’s Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio. With delightful flavors of melon and peaches, this refreshing, effervescent wine has a special, fired on label that won’t fall off in the ice bucket.

You may have noticed that this article recommends several Luna di Luna blends. There is a reason why this brand of wine was selected, other than it being a line of affordably priced, quality wines. Many people become confused and frustrated when it comes to wine pairing, and often it is because of large, hard to pronounce words like Beaujolais and Gewurztraminer. However, in this case, Luna di Luna wines are easy to remember:

• Yellow bottle – soaking up some sun
• Green bottle – picnic on the grass
• Blue bottle – swimming in the pool
• Purple bottle – a smoky barbecue
• Red bottle – romantic evening
• Sparkling wine - stargazing

And for good measure: If the situation calls for a fruity, tropical drink, then Pinot Grigio is the way to go. If you’re serving several different foods with unique flavors, Sauvignon is a sure thing. For entertaining ideas, recipes or more information, check out www.lunadiluna.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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