New Delhi: There’s nothing quite like that first sip of wine after the hot sun gives way to a warm summer night. Enjoying wine is no different than learning to really appreciate music or art in that the pleasure you receive is proportionate to the effort you make.
The more you fine-tune your sensory abilities, the better you’re able to understand and enjoy the nuances and details that great wines express. The time and effort invested is surely rewarding.
One of the most important aspects of any wine is refreshment. This is especially important as the mercury rises, when many red wines can taste overly powerful, rich and heavy.
Fact sheet of your Red wine to be served this summer:
1. Chill it: This is probably one of the most important guidelines. Pop your bottle of red wine in the refrigerator for about 20 to 30 minutes before serving. You will be amazed at how much more bright and refreshing it will taste.
2 Unoaked or very lightly oaked: Choose unoaked or very lightly oaked reds. They are generally lighter, fruitier and much more refreshing on these warm summer days.
3. Moderate alcohol: Watch out for high alcohol wines. Alcohol can affect you more in hot weather. Try to choose wines of 13% and below
4. Light to medium body: Lighter bodied wines are easier on the palate and much more refreshing than big, full-bodied extracted wines.
5. Low to medium tannin: Powerful tannic wines can be too much for the palate during the summer.
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How Red Wine helps?
Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. Red wine seems to have even more heart-healthy benefits than do other types of alcohol.
Antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols help protect the lining of blood vessels in heart. A polyphenol called resveratrol is one substance in red wine that’s gotten attention.
Resveratrol, a key ingredient in red wine, helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and prevents blood clots.
Resveratrol suggests that the antioxidant might also help protect them from obesity and diabetes, both of which are strong risk factors for heart disease.
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Great Red Wines for Summer time
So, what are some of the wines that fit into the set of guidelines? Read about that here:
Valpolicello: From the Veneto region in Northern Italy. Forget Ripasso or Amarone styles. Instead opt for the simple (and great value) Valpolicello normale.
Ben’s pick: Beautiful aromas of pink grapefruit, honeysuckle, and lime
Gamay: Beaujolais or other wines made from the Gamay grape
Cabernet Franc: Especially from the cooler Loire Valley Chinon or Bourgueil appellations
Pinot Noir: While some new world Pinot Noir wines can be quite powerful, there is a lot of simple, lighter bodied Pinot to choose from. Carneros, Sonoma Coast, Bourgogne Rouge or village level Burgundy, Red Sancerre or the German Pinot Noir are all good options.
Grenache or Grenache based blends from the Rhone Valley or Languedoc in France or California’s central coast. Opt for the simple unoaked wines and watch for alcohol.
Dolcetto or Barbera: Wines from Italy’s Piedmont area
Bierzo: Wines (Mencia grape) from Northwestern Spain.
Schiava: A local grape from Alto Adige in northern Italy makes delicious light bodied reds that are just perfect for summer.