Sauced In New York Sometimes the food is in the sauce, sometimes we are
Apparently, the one week of 80+ degree weather that the Adirondacks had back in the beginning of May is all that we’re getting for summer here in the North Country. I should never have put away my long johns or packed up my winter sweaters. It was foolhardy behavior on my part. I mean, Lake Placid got 3 feet of snow on Memorial Day Weekend.
But I’m drinking like it’s summer time. I’ve said goodbye to Guinness and hello to Dogfish Head Festina Pêche. The big heavy reds of winter have been replaced with lighter reds in the vein of Hugel et Fils Pinot Noir that actually are lovely when served slightly chilled. Hugel et Fils also make a bone-dry Muscat (yes, that’s right: a dry Muscat) and no, I’m not exaggerating. I wrote about it in an earlier blog re: my trip to France and it still holds up back here in the States as a beautiful summer wine. It pairs gorgeously with white asparagus (not to mention all the others offerings from your garden/farmer’s market). I’ve also been loving Grüner Veltliners. They’re fresh, bright, with a hint of effervescience when you pour them into your glass, and mouth-wateringly refreshing.
And of course, it wouldn’t be summer (even if it doesn’t feel like it at 62 degrees and rainy) without my beloved rosés. Hecht & Bannier has a really wonderful Cotes de Provence Rosé. The prettiest shade of pale pink (we drink with our eyes before our mouths, so, yes, color is important), this rosé takes the ripe fruit flavors of Grenache and balances it with Cinsault and Syrah. Marc Roman (also hailing from the South of France) has a fun, bright pink 100% Syrah rosé with intense fruit aromas that is extremely refreshing. Pascal Jolivet’s Sancerre Rosé (100% Pinot Noir) rounds out my picks for French pinks with my go-to El Coto Rioja Rosé (a Tempranillo/Grenache blend from Spain) meeting a challenger in the Castello Monaci Kreos Rosato (a more full-bodied Negroamaro/Malvasia blend from Italy that challenges any uninformed claims that rosés are wimpy).
So many wines and such a short summer! And I haven’t even gotten to the G & Ts yet . . .
