It’s almost Friday and you are already thinking about your weekend plans and perhaps which wines to purchase. Weekly, I post two recommendations for your weekend wine choices. My occasional “Wine and Dine” articles suggest a recipe with wine pairings, but others (like this!) offer choices under $20 – one white and one red.
Is anyone going to the beach or lake this weekend? The choices described below may be perfect for a lazy day soaking up some sun while listening to the lap of waves along the shore. But, hey, let’s not kid ourselves…these wines will be perfect for relaxing on the porch after a long day of work or just about anytime because a lovely crisp white from South Africa and a fizzy red from Italy will make your weekend extra special!
**2012 The Beachhouse Sauvignon Blanc – Sent to me as a sample, I was thrilled to have a taste of this crisp, not-too-grapefruity wine from the Western Cape of South Africa. Consisting of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon, the wine was fresh and clear in the glass with aromas of light citrus and white flowers. Are you thinking of happy hour surf side yet?? Tastes were of herbs, grass, citrus, and even a bit of rain (really!) and it paired perfectly with my light dinner of chicken salad and fresh fruit. At a price of $9.99 you will want another bottle to share with new found friends at the beach!
**Monetto Lambrusco – It’s true, Friday, June 21 is Lambrusco Day and what better way to kick off the summer than this frizzante, light bodied, red wine from the Emilia-Romagna region of central Italy. Our group brought the wine sent to me as a sample to our boat on Wisconsin’s Lake Geneva and thoroughly enjoyed its off-dry, lightly acidic, tart with juicy tastes of pomegranate and cherries with picnic fare, but in reality, this refreshing Lambrusco could pair with any foods! Everyone loved the pink froth upon opening and refreshing (serve this with a slight chill!) bubbles which made the sunny day in the lake that much more fun. The cost is $10.00 and if you’ve never enjoyed a Lambrusco, this should be your choice for Friday or any night!
Cheers to the weekend! ~ Cindy
