The Wines of Summer

Check out our latest thoughts about Summer wines.

If you live close to the ocean, as many Americans do, your climate may be too moderate for Summer to make much of a difference. But those living inland look forward to warm, even hot weather. If that's you, you may be thinking about foods like watermelon or grilled fruits.

Believe it or not, there are wines that complement such foods. With lightly flavored fruits we like a sweet rosé. If you're an occasional wine drinker, even a decent white Zinfandel might actually work, even though we are loathe to recommend it. For more richly flavored fruits, in particular grilled fruits with some caramelization, the off-dry Rieslings and Gewürztraminers fill the bill perfectly. Beringer and Covey Run make off-dry Rieslings that are priced under $7.

If your grilled fruits are served as a dessert course with cheese, you will be amazed by pairing them with the spectacular sweet Riesling Icewine from Inniskillin, from Ontario's Niagara Peninsula. This one will set you back about $75, but it's a wine you will never forget.