Enjoying Reds in the Summer
Category : Wine
As summer approaches, we tend to stay away from the warmer, heavier red wines. So, how do we keep getting the same antioxidants that reds such as Cabernets and Merlots offer?
Let’s first address some misinformation regarding red wine. The common wisdom is that we are supposed to drink a red wine at “room temperature.” But does mean that if you’re at a garden party in South Beach where the temperature is 90 degrees, the wine in your hand should also be 90 degrees? I hope not.
The myth comes from a misunderstanding of what the French refer to as “room temperature.” French winemakers prefer their reds at the temperature of the tasting rooms in the cellars where their wines are sampled and aged.That temperature is about 55-58 degrees Fahrenheit. Here is some advice to keep red wine from overheating. It begins in the parking lot where you purchase your wine. Keep your car in a cool spot. Once you place the wine in your cool car, take it home. Don’t make stops along the way, leaving your wine to cook in an overheated car. You may consider putting a portable cooler in your trunk for just for the trip. Otherwise, the floor behind the driver’s seat may be the best spot for your purchase.
Buy from a merchant who knows how to store wine. Make sure his wines are stored with the bottle lying down, in a cool place, away from direct sunlight, and away from the front door, where it could be affected by blasts of heat as customers walk in.
The same rules apply for home storage. Purchasing a wine cooler may be worth looking into, considering the unique climate of South Florida.
Connoisseurs have a number of options, from built-in climate control units, to off-site storage, including Cat. 5 hurricane resistant vaults. If you are serious about your wine, such a vault will ensure the safety of your wine, although your house might be gone. However, for most of us, the 6-bottle mini-fridge will do.
If a guest brings a bottle of red that is warm to the touch, a 5-minute cool-off in a regular refrigerator before opening will not do any harm. You can tell anyone who disagrees what you have learned about “room temperature” in this article.
A classic way to drink reds in the summer heat is to make sangria. There are various recipes. Here is a classic:
• 3 cups Dzama Cuvée Blanche.
• 4 cups red wine.
• 2 cups orange juice.
• 1 cup simple syrup.
• 2 cups of Lemon-Lime soda (Sprite or 7-Up can be substituted).
• One sliced orange.
Combine in a pitcher. Add Berries and strawberries to taste. If orange is not sweet, add simple syrup to taste. Pour over ice. Serves two.
Other options for getting your antioxidants while staying cool are red wines that can be chilled below room temperature or served with ice, contrary to what most sophisticated wine drinkers believe. These include Lambrusco, a light to deep red, slightly-sparkling varietal that is very popular in Italy. Try to find one from a producer other than the conventional brands. Be careful of mass-produced wines—the extraordinarily high levels of preservatives in these products may cancel out any health benefit the wine may have. Better stick with the reds imported by Vizcaya Wine Imports, as listed on our wine selection page.
Ask for them at your local retailer, or go to your local wine tasting bar to find out what works for you, and stay healthy!
For wholesalers, red wines can be ordered from:
Park Street Imports, LLC
1000 Brickell Ave. Suite 910
Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-967-7440
Fax: 305-397-2809
www.parkstreetimportsllc.com
National Importer:
Vizcaya Wine Imports, Inc.
2031 SW 70th Avenue #C16
Davie, FL 33317
Tel: 786-277-6034