Happy & Healthy
4 X wines for different moods, but definitely perfect for this weather
It's summer. At least, it starts to look like it. And what do we do when the sun breaks through? Jump in a skirt, hop on the bike, race to the terrace, stock up at the supermarket, organize barbecues, or step onto a boat. And we all crave a glass of cold white wine. And if you want to know which bottle you should choose with this nice weather, I would definitely keep reading if I were you.
I have Milton Verseput brought in (one of the best sommeliers in the Netherlands who is especially very enthusiastic and can explain everything in child-friendly language, which I find nice) to tell us ‘the tastiest wines for this nice weather’. From not necessarily very expensive to a variant for when you really have something to celebrate. Milton, take it away!
Just quickly whip up a salad after work and tomorrow work again-wine
Grüner Veltliner Weinviertel DAC 2015, “Ingrid Groiss” €10,30 Austria
‘This Austrian lady makes wines that are easy to drink, but also have a lot of complexity and tension. You taste delicious acidity and notes of pear and yellow fruit in this wine. It has a nice concentration, so don't be afraid to use feta cheese or spicy herbs in your salad. By the way, do be a little careful with this wine, because it invites you to drink more glasses than you planned. Work again tomorrow, right?’
The sun is shining, but I'm actually having quite a shit day, so I could use a pick-me-up-wine.
Thorne and Daughters Rocking Horse 2015, €20,95 South Africa
‘This wine from South Africa by Thorne and Daughters is a real recommendation. A wine made from Roussanne, Semillon blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, and Clairette blanche. It’s like an orchestra of grapes that play perfectly together, are in balance, and keep you captivated. This wine contains ripe peach and is a bit exotic, but with delicate acidity. It is available from wine importer Magister Vini and from the South African wine expert Udo Göebel.’
”From not necessarily very expensive to a variant for when you really have something to celebrate”
It's Friday, the sun is shining enormously and I have a lot to celebrate, so sushi is being bought-wine.
Bizkaiko Txakolina 2014, Gorka Izagirre €14,25
‘First, the pronunciation: biskijko tjakolina. On extremely steep vineyards with the salty sea air in your nose, the wines of Gorka Izagirre are made. The wines pair well with the cuisine of the Basque Country: fresh fish and shellfish. The grape varieties are Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Zerratia. Forget them immediately again, I would say. But taste this wine. You will taste fresh apple acidity, citrus, saltiness, and a little bit of fattiness. Delicious and extremely refined. Where is that sushi?’
I have been invited to a party in the park with barbecue and drink from plastic cups-wine.
Matetic EQ Pinot Noir 2013, Chili €28,50
‘Okay, you shouldn't drink wine from plastic cups, but if you do, drink something nice. And if you're going to barbecue, why not red? Matetic EQ comes from San Antonio Valley, Chile. EQ stands for equilibrio and that is Spanish for balance. Serve this wine slightly chilled, at about 14 to 15 degrees Celsius. It goes well with meat dishes, but also with salads and fish. And if it doesn't go well with fish, you still have a nice wine that stands on its own. It has a very soft tannin structure, is ripe red, and contains aromatic fruit. And that fruit comes out especially when the wine is slightly chilled. Throw some more on that barbecue!’
Now you can really score points by serving one of these wines. Milton and his sommelier friends run together by the way Sommos. And that is worth a look at their site. They select a box with the tastiest wines every month and each bottle has a note with a story about where the grape comes from and what flavor it has. That makes the wine even tastier. And you taste something new again.
