| There are so many things that we associate with | | | | you don't need to be tied to stringent rules about |
| summer - lazing around the swimming pool, | | | | which wines are served room temperature and |
| cooking outdoors, picnics by the lake, and of | | | | which should be served chilled, and which what |
| course some wonderfully refreshing wines. | | | | wine to serve with what food. If you're having |
| Anyone can drink beer or pack soda for a | | | | burgers, which are of course red meat, there's no |
| romantic picnic, but why settle for the | | | | reason you can't have a refreshing white wine. A |
| "same old" when you can tickle your | | | | nice chilled glass of your favorite choice can |
| palate with something crisp, fruity, sweet, | | | | actually be a wonderful palate cleanser when |
| refreshing, and a perfect complement to your | | | | enjoying your favorite outdoor fare. And there's |
| other summer fare? If you're trying to choose | | | | nothing wrong with having a red wine that's been |
| just the right summer wines, we can help. Here | | | | chilled. You never know what tradition you're going |
| are some quick tips for you to remember. | | | | to start. |
| Body | | | | Of course your choice will depend on your menu |
| Of course you need to choose summer wines | | | | too. If you're opting for the typical lighter fare of |
| that are light in body. There is nothing worse on a | | | | fish and salad, then some red wines might be a |
| warm summer day than being weighed down by | | | | bit too heavy, even if they are chilled. You might |
| a heavy drink of any variety. This doesn't | | | | do well to stick with the lighter wines when your |
| necessarily mean just white wines. There are | | | | menu is a bit lighter as well. |
| many light and crisp red wines that are fruity and | | | | Special Wines |
| sweet but not as heavy-bodied as you might | | | | Summertime is the best time to try some special |
| expect. A white Zinfandel is a perfect choice, as | | | | fruit wines that you might not have tried before. |
| it's both light and crisp, and perfectly refreshing | | | | Many great wines are made with strawberries, |
| for your lighter summer fare. Another choice may | | | | blackberries, raspberries, bananas, apples, and of |
| be a Muscadet from France; the taste is a bit | | | | course a good combination of these. Serving |
| fruity but very zesty and a perfect taste for | | | | these special or exotic wines chilled can be a |
| summer days. | | | | perfect treat for a summer picnic or an afternoon |
| Your Menu Options | | | | relaxing by the pool or on the lake. |
| Some years ago, a woman who came into a | | | | Many who make their own homemade wine find |
| certain Starbucks every day for a cappuccino | | | | that summertime is perfect for opening those |
| decided on one hot summer day that there was | | | | bottles of special fruit wine that they've been |
| nothing wrong with having her beverage over ice | | | | letting age for some time. Summer wines are a |
| - and a tradition was born. One of the important | | | | great treat for lazy days and special occasions, |
| things to remember about summer wines is that | | | | and for when you're doing absolutely nothing at all. |