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Dining Out
www.theconnectionsnj.comPAGE 47
S
ummer is finally here! I am gra-c
iously welcoming these longera
nd warmer days by spending more time outdoors. Whether I’m working in the garden (or watchingo
ther people work in the garden),e
xercising outside or just spendingti
me with friends and family on thep
atio, I’m happy to be spending more time outdoors. The first thingI
notice when I’m outside are thet
ranscending scents of summer –b
looming flowers, fresh cut grass,a
nd the lingering aroma of a neigh-b
or’s grill teasing my senses. My mouth begins to salivate when Ii
nhale the sweet caramelized aro- mas of barbeque.I
have already received a few invita-ti
ons to some summer parties, ando
f course, I want to bring a greatb
ottle of wine. With so manyo
ptions to choose from whens
electing a great summer wine it’se
asy to get overwhelmed. The fol-l
owing are three varieties of winet
hat I plan on sharing with friendst
his summer – all are perfect pair-i
ngs with summer fare. ROSÉ Whenever someone asks me fort
he perfect summer wine, myi
mmediate response is rosé. Noto
nly is rosé refreshing and bestd
runk chilled, but it is also one oft
he most versatile wines that pairs with many cuisines, like grilled fish,p
ork, or burgers.R
osés have a wonderful vibrantc
olor that can range from pales
almon to deep pink. Made fromr
ed grapes, rosé wines get their fes-ti
ve color from the skins of theg
rapes being left in contact witht
he juice for a short period of time.T
hey are less intense than red wine,b
ut have more depth than a light white wine. My recommendation ist
o drink rosés while they are younga
nd fresh. Rosés come both drya
nd off-dry (a touch of sweetness), so the best question to ask your friendly wine specialist when pur- chasing a rosé is “Is it dry?” They will help you identify a rosé that best fits your taste. SAUVIGNON BLANC Crisp and clean in style, Sauvignon Blanc is a great wine to pair with simply seasoned dishes like shell- fish, seafood and grilled vegeta- bles. This easy drinking aromatic white wine generally has wonder- ful acidity with citrus flavors and grassy notes. It is my go-to white wine when I host a summer party. You can find refreshing Sauvignon Blancs from all over the world: from Sancerre in the Loire Valley of France to Marlborough, New Zealand. Personally, being a “Napa- phile,” I love Sauvignon Blanc from California. Napa Valley is producing more and more Sauvignon Blancs that rival the best in the world. ZINFANDEL A summer wine recommendation list is not complete without the per- fect red wine. For a wine that stands up to grilled meats lathered with barbeque sauces or home- made marinades, I personally enjoy Zinfandel. Its full-bodied spicy fruit flavors and rich boldness is a per- fect pairing for grilled chicken, beef or lamb. Look for wonderful Zinfandels from the Russian River Valley or Paso Robles in California. As someone who loves discovering wine, it gives me great pleasure to share discoveries with friends and family. Wine is best enjoyed when shared amongst loved ones. I hope these summer wine recommenda- tions will enhance your (or your host’s) party. And like the tran- scending scents of summer, it is the summer memories that we create with friends and family that tran- scend time. Cheers to you, and have a fun and festive summer! GREAT WINES FOR SUMMERTIME By: Gary Fisch Gary’s Wine & Marketplace