Summer Wine par excellence

Part of the reason why I enjoy wine so much is that it allows me to travel the world, so-to-speak. I love wine from all over but admit to preferring the dual giants from the Old Continent: Italy and, of course, France.


But the Spaniards, Californians, Aussies and South Africans have come a long way since the 1980s. Now a host of so-called new world wines have been wowing aficionados: Chileans, Argentinians, Kiwis and even Canadians (Niagara Valley) are raising eyebrows.


My favorite Italians tend to be Tuscan and so-called Super Tuscan. But with deeper pockets, the Piedmont varieties can indeed be sublime. I once had a 1997 Riserva di Barolo from Gaja which had cost me over CAD $400  and that was nearly 10 years ago! But yes, a Chianti Classico never fails, as well as the non-ultimate DOC types of Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Asti  the latter having hint of effervescence. These wines represent great value for the money as opposed to the more prestigious DOCG varieties. These  great summer wines pair beautifully with pasta, sausages, aged cheese and all manner of grilled meats  especially veal, pork and lamb.


There's one white wine I discovered that will blow your mind, and pair very well with the hot, humid summer days. It's a southern French Roussilon called Muscat de Rivesaltes at proximity to the mighty (and relatively pricey) Banyuls, which itself is not far from the southern-most city in France: postcard picturesque Perpignan.


For under CAD$20, it's an exquisite dessert wine value, to be served very chilled. What a bouquet, like burying one's nose in a bed of pink roses and orchids; the mouth is only slightly acidic and betrays a hint of vanilla and lychee fruit and a clean mineral finish, a testament to its clay and calcium-rich soil. If you can find a Muscat de Rivesaltes by Cazes Frères, buy two cases.


Another Muscat de Rivesaltes which won awards comes from the Dom Brial domaine and is also exquisite. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I told you my ex- and I went through at least 30 bottles in 2009-10.