Perhaps our mail was delayed, but it seems a little late for Bon Appetit’s “We Love Summer” issue. (Actually, it seems right on time, but magazines always seem to be sending us their July issues in May …) Here’s what they have to say wine- and drinks-related. [level-members]
Bon Appetit, July 2015
BA staffers were asked for their favorite poolside drinks. Among the responses:
I’ve never met a sangria I didn’t like. My secret ingredient: Triple sec.
Vodka and lemonade slushie
When I’m feeling Euro, an Aperol Spritz. Feeling American? Budweiser from a can.
The Wine Insider is all about Pét-nat, Champagne’s “quirky-cool kid sister.” Pétillant naturel is the wine’s full name, and it means naturally sparkling. As BA points out, the “natural” in the name is enough to give it some buzz, but it’s the made-for-summer simplicity that’s really driving its popularity. Bottles mentioned in the article sidebar are
La Grange Tiphaine 2013 “Nouveau-Nez” at $28, the Ca’ dei Zago Prosecco Col Fondo 2014 for $21, and the Onward Wines 2014 Pét-Nat Suisun Valley for $24.
Wine Spectator, July 31, 2015
Portugal is a wine frontier where “tradition and modernity” are coming together to create an interesting future.
First though, we learn that the American market has not flocked back to Bordeaux futures even with the drop in prices and increase in quality for the 2014 vintage. Scores are solid and prices are down around 10% or more, but large stocks of Bordeaux remain unsold, not just from this vintage but from all vintages from 2010 forward.
Back on the summer theme from BA, the Spirits column in the Spectator offers up the “quintessential drink of the English summer,” the Pimm’s Cup. Stock up now …
WS Selections include the Bomb Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2012 for $50, the Forstreiter Grüner Veltlner Qualitätswein Trocken Kremstal Kremser Kögl 2013 for $13 (a Smart Buy) and the Chateau St. John Fumé Blanc Sonoma County 2013 for $12, a Best Value.
In the Portugal article, your customers will be reading about Vinho Verde (always a good summer choice), as well as the usual range of reds, whites, and ports.
California’s 2013 chardonnay’s are viewed as a “vintage with verve.” (As if there’s that much consistency across a state the size of California …) Only the Santa Barbara region scores lower than 90 for the vintage.
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