Summer wines are on the way!

Written by on in General Wine
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_nqfXF2j28] Spending several hours with Dickie Rourke is like an adventure to Vintner’s Valley.
The “Wine Wizard” (as I affectionately call Mr. Rourke) is now stocking his shelves with light- and medium-bodied summer wines. It’s a turnover I look forward too, sipping cool white wine on the patio or down in the backyard pergola with my wife, Mary Lee, and friends.
I know there are “only red” drinkers out there. But coming of age in wine years means expanding your circle of tastes and varietals.
I can’t see leaving this world some day without haven’t tried my share of the other 50 percent of wines produced.
You shouldn’t either.
So let’s get started.
At Tutto Bene, one of Rourke’s top sellers is Fizz 56, a sparkling, sweet Italian wine from the Piedmont region. It’s very floral on the nose — raspberry, strawberry notes are evident — and refreshing on the palette. From the same region comes Vietti, an arneis grape fermented in steel tanks which produces a nice balance of crisp acidity and citrus, melon aromas with traces of almonds. It is an elegant wine that will add to the enjoyment of light hors d’ouevres, seafood, salads, light soups and creamy cheeses.
One of the more interesting wines in the showcase is Zibibbo, a sparkling pink Moscato that Rourke recommends as a “picnic wine” with salads and light fare. He also said it would be a great aperitif.
Thinking nice sunset? Try La Cana, an Albarino from northwest Spain. It is dry on the palate yet shines with delightful fruit flavors and a long, smooth finish. “This has a lot of class,” says Rourke, “and is my top choice as an all-around summer wine.”
All the wines are available for $21 or less. Oh, by the way, ask Rourke about his Cameron Hughes special, a 70/30 percent blend of Riesling and Chenin Blanc. It’s a real mood-changer after a long day at work.
Watch the video “Summer Wines Are on The Way” at www.winenovice.com and remember: “God created water, man created wine.”
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READER UPDATE: Ed Safran of Chelmsford writes: “I had a great wine this weekend, a 2008 Mibal Roble 100 percent Tempranillo from Spain. It’s an 89 in my book and sells between $15-18 a bottle.”
Have you got a wine to share with us? Go to the Wine Novice blog and leave a comment.

From www.sunwinenovice.wordpress.com. Follow Jim Campanini on Twitter@suneditor