Summer Sparklers

Nearly every major wine producing country in the world now makes “fizzy” wines that actually may be better accompaniments to meals served at a Father’s Day barbecue, a July 4th picnic or just relaxing over the weekend at your vacation home by the lake than French and California bubblies.

Wines from the Southern Hemisphere, especially from Australia, Argentina and South Africa, offer some very interesting takes on sparkling wines, using both the traditional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, as well as more unusual grape varieties like Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc — even Shiraz.

For instance, Bodega Valentin Bianchi produces Argentina’s most popular sparkling wine, Bianchi Extra Brut — a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir made in the traditional Méthode Champenoise. It is dry and best served chilled (like you would the finest champagnes) with fresh berries at the beginning or end of a meal. The same winery also makes a unique wine called New Age. Its white version is an incredibly refreshing blend of Torrontes (the signature white grape of Argentina) and Sauvignon Blanc, while New Age Rosé blends Malbec (Argentina signature red grape) with Merlot. Both are slightly sparkling and amazing as the base for a wide variety of summer cocktails.  They also cool the palate when served chilled with all kinds of spicy cuisine, from Mexican to Indian to Thai.

Australians have long been enjoying sparkling Shiraz during their hot summers, not only as a red wine aperitif, but with such diverse foods as bacon and chocolate. Only recently have they started exporting sparkling Shiraz to the U.S.; Paringa Sparkling Shiraz is one of the more popular Aussie sparklers on the U.S. market today.

France and Italy also offer some special summer sparklers. From Prosecco to Moscato d’Asti, Italy’s frizzante wines run the gamut from dry to sweet, most made with native Italian grapes — and every one works well with Italian fare. France also offers quite a few non-champagne options. From the Alsace region very close to Germany comes a sparkling white wine called Cremant made from an equal combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes; its acidity makes it a perfect pairing for fresh oysters.

RESOURCES:
Quintessential Wines, www.quintessentialwines.com