Seeing Red

By Brian Kervic
Special to the Coastal Point

My fellow tasters:

A few weeks ago we celebrated our country’s 229th birthday. Now, we find ourselves right in the heat of summer. And, boy, do I mean heat.

Our family and friends have descended on our beautiful coastal resort with sun, fun and weekend celebrations on their mind. So, many of our local customers come scrambling to find me in search of reds and whites to compliment their backyard barbecues. Ah, summer! Who’s worried about the traffic and crowds, the heat or the occasional wine enthusiast reading me their Sunday menu for me to match wines accordingly? It’s summertime at the beach. That’s what I do here.

Now, just because it’s summer and it’s hot outside, whether you’re barbecuing hamburgers and hot dogs or grilling ribs and seafood kabobs, you don’t have to rely on the old traditional glass of chilled white wine. Come on and live a little!

I’m here to tell you there are some options out there in the world of summer reds. In past articles, I have mentioned a few Chardonnays and an array of Pinot Grigio that would match your every grilling need. But now I am here because serious wine drinkers are drinking reds year-round. That’s right! The strong abundant flavor of red wine can be enjoyed in the sizzling heat of summer.

This modern day phenomenon, folks drinking red wine in the heat of summer, was never more evident than at the “Taste of Coastal Delaware.” I spent the day with my colleagues, Mike and Scott Kappes of Beach Liquors, and a close friend and wine salesman, Jacques Macq, as we offered a tasty assortment of wines to all our guests that stopped by the tent. It really surprised me to see that many folks were enjoying the red wines as much as the chilled whites. That’s why I decided to focus this month’s article on reds that you can drink at the family barbecue even when it’s hot outside.

I want to start by talking about three basic California red wines that I consider summertime reds. First is the American Wine tasters Society Cabernet Sauvignon. I was very impressed with this mid-range priced hearty cabernet. Pairing this to any type of barbecue food would not be a mistake. The wine is well balanced and full of flavor with a hint of black cherry. The aroma is profound yet the finish is very smooth. This is a welcome addition to many of my family outings.

The second California red has a little Sci-Fi spoof to it. In fact, this wine surprised even me when it made my recommendation list. Made by the creators of Rex Goliath, Red Flyer is an easy-drinking red that should be in every wine enthusiast’s cabinet. This Rhone-style blend of Syrah is a classic wine with a bold taste of red and black fruit accompanied by a hint of spice and red pepper. Serve this red with a slight chill and you’re sure to love it.

My third and final California red hails from the Hendry Vineyard with its 60 years of tradition behind every bottle. Mostly known for growing Zinfandel, this vineyard has branched out and diversified now focusing on Chardonnay and Cabernet. Buth the wine I’m recommending is the Hendry Primitivo. In researching this wine, it appears that the Greeks introduced this grape to California before bringing it to Italy where it now flourishes. This wine is my pick for that special outdoor meal. I serve this wine when my brother, the grill master, has marinated filet mignon in my special barbecue sauce and seared them over an open flame. The Hendry primitive starts off with a bursting aroma of spice and cloves and balances out with a rich body of deed red fruits. This wine is not too expensive so it remains on my must try list.

The next two red wines that I recommend in the summer are imported from Spain. For those who are interested, the most prominent type of grape being grown in Spain is the tempranillo. This grape is very similar and has many of the characteristics of Italian wines.

The first of my picks is Domino De Ugarte Reserva. This wine comes from the Rioja region and is 100 percent tempranillo. It has a dark ruby color and combines rich red fruits with an oaky wood aroma. This wine is a perfect compliment to any grilled beef but I prefer it as a simple contrast to a seasonal fresh fruit and cheese tray.

The second Spanish red is TAJA. This wine is for the serious red wine drinker as it combines tempranillo with cabernet and a touch of merlot. This wine has an explosive aroma of deep rich red and black fruits with a hint of plum and chocolate. This is a full-bodied wine that will improve any outside gathering especially since, like most Spanish wines it is very inexpensive.

Before I send you wine enthusiasts off into another summer swelter, I want to mention one more wine from California. It’s not really a red but a real nice Rose’. I take you back to the Napa Valley and the Hendry vineyard where I would like to introduce you to delicate Henry Rose’. This pale Rose’ comes from the cabernet sauvignon grape and is aged in the classic style of a fine French Rose’. This pink dry wine with light flavors of strawberry and a rich crisp floral bouquet is yet one more way to celebrate summer and the outdoor activities with family and friends.

I hope that each of you has the occasion to try some of the wines mentioned in this article and I wish you safe and happy festivities for the remainder of your summer. As always, I welcome any of our readers who wish to join the Ocean Sands Tasters and Wine Club to call me at (302) 539-7400 or send me an e-mail at Dewinespecialist@aol.com.

For now, relax, enjoy and continue to explore new tastes and remember to always drink responsibly and just in case you need some help, I’m always around to answer any questions.