So get ready... with just one word, you’re getting four meanings, four categories of great wine and 20 perfect wine picks to go with it. In this issue we’ve brought together a group of wines that we think will become your favorites too, as you enjoy a grilled backyard feast with friends and family or relax at the beach, the rooftop, or wherever else your summer takes you.

You’ve given yourself lots of latitude with this question, Kevin... after all, when it comes to wine choices (whether BBQ, Seafood, Jambalaya or anything else) there’s no such thing as a “rule” for pairing food and wine. If it tastes great, I say drink up. After all, enjoying wine is all about what you - and your friends - like. That said, there are some generalities that might help as you choose the perfect wines for your grill-side gatherings.

In general, I tend to stay away from big, tannic reds (unless we’re bbq’ing a whole lamb on a spit) or bold, oaky chardonnays during the hot months. As the summer heats up, there’s no better way to cool down than with a refreshingly crisp glass of wine.

With the exception of Shiraz (also known as Syrah, same grape) - my favorite these days for barbecued anything - my top summer wine choices are light, fruity and refreshing. Perfect to enjoy as you soak up the sun after lunch, or relax on a balmy evening by the lake.

Overall, I think that summer is time for wines that are a bit lighter. For whites, I enjoy Fumé and Sauvignon Blanc, Rieslings, Viognier, Gewurztraminer and my (current) personal summer favorite, Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris. If red better suits your taste or your meal, look for Chianti, Beaujolais, Rosé, Pinot Noir, and some lighter Zinfandels.

While subscribers can find hundreds of great summer wines at www.winepocketlist.com, we’ve highlighted 20 below that you’ll be sure to enjoy the next time you sit down for a meal hot off the ‘cue....

[Do you have a wine-related question you’d like to ask? If so, send it to us via email at: getinfo@winepocketlist.com and you may see it answered in an upcoming issue!]

Price: $12
The prices quoted in the WPL are the "suggested retail prices" quoted by the wineries and the distributors. Though these are close to what you'd pay at the winery, you'll often find discounts of 20% and more off these prices at retail.

Individual Evaluations: IE: A, A-, B+
This represents the number of individual reviews and ratings on which the composite grade is based, primarily representing individual reviews in top wine periodicals converted to our scale, and ratings by our tasting panel.

Wine PocketList Exclusive Categories: WPL: BBC, W, S, B
These are four exclusive WPL categories, and many wines rated by the PocketList will fall into one of these special designations.

[W] Widely Available:
These wines typically have bottling of 20,000 cases or more, making them widely available in most regions of the U.S.

[BBC] Top Buy-by-the-Case:
Based on multiple, outstanding reviews and a solid history, these are wines you can purchase by the case to grow your cellar with confidence today, and into the future!

[B] Bargain Wines:
Top-rated wines for $10 or less. Most of these can go head to head with a typical $30 bottle sporting a fancy label . . . and beat it hands down.

[S] Splurge Wines:
For most of us, spending more than $20 on a bottle of wine isn’t something we do lightly. These are wines that, while more expensive, are well worth the price.

 

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