This month’s selection is about comparing wines from cool climate growing regions with wines from warmer climatic conditions. Typically, cool climate wines have less ripe fruit flavours, have a lighter to medium body, higher acidity and lower alcohol. Whereas wines from hotter regions have riper fruit flavours, are fuller bodied, have bigger tannins and lower acidity. These wines can seem heavier, but there are great examples which obtain balance, that I will enlighten you to. I have included serving temperatures as we move towards summer. Lower serving temperatures makes a wine look fresher and the wine will warm up quickly in the glass and bottle. Wine served too warm seems heavy and alcoholic, losing perfume and charm.
First Wine: Rose (Summer is all about Rose)
Taste wine 1 (Cool Climate) with wine 2 (Warm Climate Region)
Country: NZ
Region: Central Otago (Cool climate region)
Variety: Pinot Noir
Taste: Gorgeous bright crimson pink colour reminiscence of rose petals. Intense nose of strawberries, candyfloss and boiled lollies; the palate has up front fruit balanced by fresh acidity.
Serve with: Perfect aperitif served with dips, cheese and crackers.
Style: This wine speaks of a cool climate growing region, evident by the lighter red fruit aromas and flavours, fresh acid and moderate alcohol (12%). The colour of this rose is achieved by a winemaking technique called maceration. This means the crushed berries soak in the juice for a few days, the longer soaking time gives more colour intensity. Once the desired colour is achieved the grape skins are removed and the juice is treated like a white wine. Serving Temperature: 10-13 degrees
Second Wine: Warm Climate Region
Country: Spain
Region: La Mancha (Central Spain, very warm climate)
Variety: Bobal a red variety with good colour, tannin and acid.
Taste: Salmon pink/onion skin coloured rose. More restrained nose of strawberries, cedar and earthy notes. A rounded generous entry, softer acidity with a warm long finish.
Serve with: Any tapas
Style: A rose with richness and concentration and the grapes are organic. The grapes are grown in a very hot region, yet the variety is naturally high in tannin and acid giving freshness to the resulting wine. An ideal variety for warm growing conditions. This wine has been made using the direct pressing method, meaning the red grapes are put directly into the press, separating the skins from the juice, resulting in a lighter coloured wine. Then the juice is treated like a white wine. A great comparison, Akarua (cool climate, New World wine vs a very warm, Old World wine). Taste, compare and see the differences. Serve at 10-13 degrees.
Third Wine: Compare wine 3 (Moderately Cool Climate) with wine 4 (very warm region)
Philippe Bouchard Macon Villages 2018
Country: France
Region: Macon (moderately cool climate region)
Variety: Chardonnay
Taste: Milky, buttery and sour cream aromas with red apples, pears and nectarines on the palate. A more elegant palate with creamy and bready notes and fresh acidity.
Serve with: Barbeque Chicken and roasted veggies on the BBQ
Style: A lighter, unoaked Chardonnay with full Malo-lactic fermentation, giving cream, buttery flavours. This wine speaks of grapes grown in a cooler climate; a lighter style with freshness and the descriptives used speak of fruits with freshness, not riper tropical flavours which are often evident of a warmer climate. Delicious, easy and the ideal summer white wine. Serve at 10-13 degrees
Fourth Wine: Very Warm Region
Domaine de Sainte Cecile Viognier 2017
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc, South of France
Variety: Viognier (Vee-on-yah), hard to pronounce but give it a whirl.
Taste: A classic example of a Viognier, canned apricot aromas and flavours with a rich, full bodied palate and oily texture. The acid is soft, but the rich palate is balanced by the very long, warm finish. I love this style of wine
Serve with: Any pork dish on the BBQ.
Style: A rich, ripe, full bodied white wine, unoaked that has soft acid yet is balanced by the long, intense finish. This speaks of grapes grown in a warm climate, but still is deliciously drinkable. I love this variety. Serve at 8-10 degrees - this is a rich, full bodied wine, hence serving slightly cooler will personify the fruit as warmer serving temperatures will personify the alcohol.
Fifth Wine: Compare wine 5 (moderately cool climate) with wine 6 (Very warm climate)
Philippe Bouchard Red Burgundy Gamay 2016
Country: France
Region: Beaujolais, Burgundy
Variety: Gamay, black grape with soft tannins and medium acid.
Taste: Lifted aromas of strawberries, with a palate that has bright juicy fruit with a savoury complexity, soft tannins and medium acid.
Serve with: Pork spareribs on the BBQ
Style: This is a fresh, fruity easy drinking red wine with moderate alcohol (12.5%) ideally suited to warm summer evenings and BBQ’s with friends and family. Beaujolais is a moderately cool region famous for Gamay where both the climate and variety show strongly in this wine. This is evident by the lighter colour, soft tannins, juicy fruit and medium acidity giving balance, freshness and ultimately drinkability. Serve at 10-13 degrees.
Sixth Wine: Very Warm Climate
Domaine des Homs Clots de Pals 2016 Minervois
Country: France
Region: Minervois, South of France
Variety: Grenache and Syrah. Grenache has ripe strawberry fruit flavours, soft tannins and acid.
Taste: Delicious smoky, ripe dark black cherries and chocolate aromas and flavours. A rich round generous wine, full bodied wine with a very long finish and moderate acidity.
Serve with: All red meats.
Style: This is a ripe, rich, full bodied wine, which surprisingly is balanced by some vibrancy evident by licorice flavours and good acid as a result of the Syrah. This wine speaks of a warm growing climate; however, it offers great balance and drinkability. I really enjoyed this wine and think it is an ideal match for darker red meats. A perfect wine to follow the Beaujolais. Taste the two wines and the climatic difference will literally leap out of the glass. Serve at 13-14 degrees - it will rapidly warm up in the glass on a warm summer’s night. Remember cooler serving temperatures personify fruit aromas and flavours rather than the alcohol.
Seventh Wine: Bubbles as summer also speaks of bubbles
Signore Giuseppe Extra Dry Prosecco
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia
Variety: Now called Glera but was called Prosecco. The Italians now stipulate that Prosecco is the wine style hence protected. Australia have a lot of Prosecco planted and claim they can use the name of the variety on the bottle. Therefore, Prosecco can be seen on some Australian wines of this style. A battle ensues.
Taste: Delicate aromas and flavours of pears with a refreshing palate that is easy with a creamy mousse, making it the perfect summer afternoon drink.
Serve with: Canapes and nibbles
Style: A light, fruity, sparkling wine that is simple, clean and easy drinking. This wine style is about fruit rather than complexity. Serve at 6-8 degrees.