Earlier this week, Drizly released its annual Consumer Trends Report, which studies trends in when, where, and how U. S. drinking-age adults consume alcohol across the country.
One of the most unexpected findings of the annual report is that the researchers chose red wine as the most productive sip of the summer, ahead of the classic lighter white wine, and even rosé. The leading spirits e-commerce platform found that 31% of adults surveyed used red wine as summer wine, compared to 28% for white and 17% for rosé.
Drizly’s report also found that today’s consumers are more influenced by recommendations from friends and family (57%) or bartenders (25%). So we turned to Denise Thornberry, wine expert and owner of Tasting House in Los Gatos, California, a wine bar and bistro focused on food pairing and education, for her trusted summer red recommendations.
From Pinot Noir that will be refreshed in the United States to Italian Barbera, here are 8 bottles that will help you get to know this new summer drink trend.
This Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir is “light, refreshing, and best for summer days, with soft but not overpowering tannins,” Thornberry states. Pinot Noir is a flexible wine that pairs well with food, but Thornberry prefers grilled salmon with this specific wine. bottle. RRP $50, dégustationhouse. com
“Beaujolais-Villages are wonderful wines for a summer barbecue,” Thornberry says of this old vine Gamay in Moulin-à-Vent, France. “The lighter tannins and fruity parts of this wine perfectly balance the salty and very spicy flavors. “RRP $38, dégustationhouse. com
“While Cab Franc is a grape blended into Bordeaux wines or Bordeaux blends, this wine is full-bodied, fruity, and has silky, smooth tannins,” Thornberry says of this bottle from California’s Santa Cruz Mountains. In addition, it is very flexible when it comes to pairings. Thornberry suggests grilled New York-style tenderloin, grilled or roasted eggplant, or roasted red meat tenderloin with red wine-braised cabbage and apricot chutney. RRP $48, dégustationhouse. com
Thornberry describes the Sonoma coast as a region that produces some of his favorite Pinot Noir in California. “Its new coastal influence produces lighter wines with acidity,” he says, adding his favorite combinations of roasted asparagus wrapped in prosciutto with goat cheese and dates. RRP $45, dégustationhouse. com
This Paso Robles Zinfandel is a wonderful wine to grab anything on the grill. “This grape pairs exceptionally well with the smoky flavors of grilled meats and sausages,” says Thornberry, highlighting its great body, fruity flavor, and soft tannins. RRP $60, dégustationhouse. com
“We like this wine because it pairs so well with Italian dishes, cheeses, and grilled meats,” Thornberry says of this specialty from Piedmont, Italy. “It’s a lighter-style Italian red, which makes it ideal for drinking in the warmer summer. months. If you have a wood-fired pizza oven, turn it on a hot day, cook your favorite dishes outdoors, and enjoy that bottle. SRP $45, dégustationhouse. com
This wine is a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir, two softer, thin-skinned grape types from the Loire Valley in France. “The blend adds a little more intensity and character to this wine. Hailing from a colder region of France, it’s a delicious soft red, ideal for drinking on a hot night and watching the sun go by,” says Thornberry, adding that red meat abdominal burgers or grilled fish are a delicious combination. RRP $20, dégustationhouse. com
While all of the reds on this list can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, Lambrusco is most productive if enjoyed refrigerated. That makes it “a delicious treat on a hot day,” according to Thornberry. This dry, bubbly flavor of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region is new and fruity, ideal for accompanying cheeses and charcuterie while sitting outdoors with friends and family, advises Thornberry. SRP $22, dégustationhouse. com
A community. Many voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.
Our network aims to connect other people through open and thoughtful conversations. We need our readers to share their perspectives and exchange ideas and facts in one space.
To do so, please comply with the posting regulations in our site’s terms of use. Below we summarize some of those key regulations. In short, civilians.
Your message will be rejected if we realize that it seems to contain:
User accounts will be blocked if we become aware that users are engaged in:
So, how can you be a user?
Thank you for reading our Community Standards. Read the full list of publication regulations discovered in our site’s terms of use.