My friends at Whole Foods Market help out in that last area each year. They have, once again, revealed their selection of Top Ten Summer Wines available in their stores. They are also organizing a pair of “Taste and Tweet” sessions in which you can participate.
As an homage to summer, Whole Foods Market wine team has selected ten of their favorite warm-weather wines - from crisp, fragrant whites to earthy, spicy reds - all priced between $7.99 and $14.99. That pricing will take the heat off buying every day sippers and hearty reds that stand up to grilled foods.
The Whole Foods Top Ten Summer Wines include a one-of-a-kind organic grüner veltliner from Austria as well as the old favorite Bolla Soave Classico, an Italian favorite from the 1970s that has been bottled in classy, retro packaging.
Doug Bell is the global wine buyer for Whole Foods Market. He says, “We have found some great wines that are like ‘bottled sunshine’ for our shoppers who will also be pleasantly surprised when they see the prices of these gems. With our selection and diversity of summer wines, shoppers can easily find the perfect bottle or two for the beach, outdoor picnic and/or backyard barbecue.”
If you’d like to join the discussion of these summery wines, do so on Twitter, during two different Taste & Tweet online chats. Go to wholefoodsmarket.com/wine for more information about the Twitter Tastings and use the hashtag #WFMwine to follow the conversation. Here are the dates, and the wines about which we’ll be tasting and tweeting:
Summer Wines Twitter Tasting 1 – Thursday, May 31, 7-8 p.m. CT
· Mionetto Prosecco
· Pratsch Grüner Veltliner
· Tormaresca Neprica
Summer Wines Twitter Tasting 2 – Thursday, July 12, 7-8 p.m. CT
· Kyklos Moschofilero
· Yalumba Christobel’s Eden Valley Riesling
· Pallas Tempranillo by Jorge Ordonez
Here’s the whole list - Whole Foods Market’s Top 10 Summer Wines: (descriptions, recipes and pairings are provided by Whole Foods Market.)
With golden apple and elderflower flavors, this lively and delicate sparkling wine has a clean, lingering finish – perfect to sip or pair with seafood. Made with organically-grown grapes.
Recipe pairing: Mussels Vinaigrette
Cheese pairing: Fromager d’Affinois
This light straw-colored white has melon, white rose, and citrus flavors with some fresh vegetable notes, providing a zingy, pleasant finish. A great pairing with seafood, this is a fun substitute for Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.
Recipe pairing: Calamari Pasta
Cheese pairing: Mahón
Bolla Soave Classico (Italy)
What is old is new again with this classic Italian white with aromas of flowers and fresh stone fruit and a clean, fresh finish. This is an easy-drinking white that pairs well with fish. With a new vintage label created for Whole Foods Market, this is the perfect summer porch wine.
Recipe pairing: Shrimp and Mango Ceviche
Cheese pairing: Wellspring Creamery Cranberry Orange Goat Cheese
Louis Latour Ardèche Chardonnay (France)
With a toasty bouquet, this white has delicious apple notes and a crisp acidity and round finish. This is a bargain for a French chardonnay from one of the most innovative producers in Burgundy.
Recipe pairing: Waldorf Salad with Honey-Yogurt Dressing and Fresh Mint
Cheese pairing: Mons Camembert
Made with organically grown grapes, this fruit-forward fragrant white offers apple, citrus and white pepper notes paired with great acidity for a crisp finish.
Recipe pairing: Lemony Angel Hair with Crème Fraîche, Parmesan and Artichoke Hearts
Cheese pairing: Morbier
With aromas of nectarine and white peach, citrus zest, tropical fruits, and some minerality, this white offers a touch of sweetness. This riesling would be perfect paired with apple pie and cheddar cheese.
Recipe Pairing: Sesame-Peanut Noodles
Cheese Pairing: Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog
Hogue Late Harvest Riesling (Washington)
This dessert wine offers zesty aromas of sweet tangerine, honeysuckle and apricot flavors, with hints of mint on the finish.
Recipe pairing: Grilled Fruit with Caramelized Orange Sauce
Cheese pairing: Rogue Creamery Oregon Blue Cheese
Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir (California)
With classic earthy, cola and ripe cherry flavors, this full-bodied red has soft tannins and drinks like a gem. It is a perfect pairing with grilled salmon and pork loin with fruit.
Recipe pairing: Firecracker Grilled Salmon
Cheese pairing: Borough Market Cheddar
This lush, ripe red has aromas of red and dark berries, smoky herbs and spices – the perfect pairing with barbecue, shish kabobs, and Spanish chorizo.
Recipe pairing: Spanish Chickpeas and Chorizohttp://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/119
Cheese pairing: Solé Gran Queso
A blend of negroamaro, primitivo and cabernet sauvignon, this lean red has dusty aromas, black raspberry and pepper flavors, and silky tannins. This is a top-notch pick for pepper steak.
Recipe pairing: Skillet Fajitas with Jicama Salsa
Cheese pairing: Drunken Goat
Columbia Winery Merlot (Washington)
With black cherry and plum flavors, and mint and smoky undertones, this merlot is the perfect “go to” wine for burgers and eggplant parmesan.
Recipe pairing: Eggplant Bolognese
Cheese pairing: Parrano
Bubo Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
Rich layers of black cherry, blackberry, spice and cedar create a jammy red for pizza, barbecue and sangria with berries.
Recipe pairing: Grilled Vegetable Pizza
Cheese pairing: Grafton Classic Reserve Cheddar Aged Two Years
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