Summer Fun With Your Favorite Wines!

   It's Summer and picnics, days out to the lake, a ride in the boat, a blanket thrown on the ground or a lovely afternoon on your deck screams, "CHILLED BOTTLES OF WINE!" 

There's confusion regarding when and why you might want to chill a bottle of wine. One basic tenet of enjoying wine is serving it at the right temperature but why is that important? Putting it simply, the colder a wine is, the less flavorful it will be. 

So why would you even consider chilling down?

1. An inferior wine--price is not necessarily a good guideline--but it may help in your decision. Poorly made "cheap wines" can be off putting and I am not being snobby here. If you follow this blog you know I tend to focus on $10 price point wines because those are what most people are willing to spend. So truthfully, inexpensive red and white wines can actually benefit taste. So putting a "little chill" on the wine may enhance your enjoyment of it. And if the wine is actually a touch off-putting, a chill of about 1/2 hour in the fridge can make it taste better!

2.  THIS IS A BIGGY!  Do NOT put an ice cube in your wine if it is a touch warmer than you like. Why? Because the ice melts and dilutes out the "good" that WAS in the glass! 

 Some suggestions for chilling wines and this is utterly dependant on your personal preference!

Vinho Verde wines are ubiquitous Portuguese light wines that have a green tinge to them hence the name which means "green wine." These are quite the bargain (often) under $10! 

Sparklers should always be chilled and these run the gamut of countries, and price points. But for that sunny pool-side fun, or picnic in the park, chill these down and keep them on ice (not ice in the glass) and enjoy them in the heat of the day.

As for RED WINES I get pickier about serving temp. but still you do not want warm red wine. (Actually "cellar temp." and/or what used to be considered "room temp" was 55 degrees harking back to the days of gargantuan castles... So for this blog entry, stay with the rosés, or even a Beaujolais (pronounced Bo Zho Lay).

At the end of the day YOU know what you and your friends like so be sensible, seize the day and take time to smell the roses giving thanks to the ONE who made it all.    Raise a glass!

SKYSIDE "Red blend" 2019 (North coast Calif.)

Intense garnet hue to the rim with aromas of dark berry, rootbeer notes, integrated and lovely. 

Palate--Mature foundation with balanced and bold fruit perhaps Syrah and/or Petite Sirah, may be zinfandel and possibly Cabernet Sauvignon. Finishes quickly but sturdy to the end. A really well crafted wine for the ridiculous price of $7 marked down from $12 which is still a ridiculous price. 

If I have the opportunity I will buy more for sure.  Unusual for a wine at this price point holding up well considering its age. Kudos to the wine maker!!!   Raise a glass!

MOTIF Cabernet Sauvignon Lake county

Nice Garnet hue with aromas of blackberry and gentle spice with a touch of spiced apple rings.

Palate--Acidic first impression loads of blackberry and spice with a somewhat lingering finish of blackberry pie.

Previously reviewed not long ago, this is another Trader Joes special at the $10 price point. It is a nice, simple, pizza wine, all purpose pasta with tomato based sauce, or appetizer cheeses one is likely to put out. It's "ok" but don't think of it as "Cabernet Sauvignon"--the KING of wine grapes but rather a friendly share with your friends kind of wine.  Since you asked--OK not really, I will be having this with my Sunday pizza ritual. Raise a glass!

Member's Mark RIESLING 2023

 

Very pale goal hue with aromas of faint --off dry tropical fruit, pineapple, green apple.

Palate-A tiny bit of "life" in the palate with a steely first impression, flaccid in every way, almost nothing there, unremarkable, no finish.  

The bottle is blue glass which is odd in and of itself as wines from the Mosel--the premier wine region of Germany-- is typically bottled in green glass.  

This Member's Mark Magnum is very pass uppable... (I made that word up...) 

PERSEVERANCE Rioja Reserva 2018

Opaqueish garnet with bricking in the bowl. Aromas of smoky red berry and some mature ie., aged wine showing its time in the bottle.

Palate--Acidic first impression with a mature presence on a sturdy foundation and a fleeting finish.

Cherry/berry front palate with bold structure and loads of mouth watering, sustaining influences for a number of years of improvement. 

I paid $10 for this bargain Rioja ($23) made from 100%Tempranillo (pronounced Tem-pra-NEE-O and is a nice compromise between "Old World--must be aged a decade" and "New World-- at it's prime close to release." 

I reviewed this wine a couple years ago and it is aging so I would open it and drink it over the next several months though should hold for another year.... Raise a glass!

Columbia Crest "Grand Estates" Merlot (Washington State) 2022

Cherry hue with aromas of vibrant blackberry, sweet musty fruit.

Palate--Nice first impression with nice structure and prominent juicy mid palate with loads of black cherry goodness. Finishes quickly but ends well.

"Columbia Crest" Is the summit of Mt. Rainer rising 14,400 feet above sea level. It is a trademark of sorts of Washington State. I climbed it when I lived out there in the early 80's with a team of experienced climbers traversing the "Gib Chute" a semi-technical route. My name is in the log book at the summit for posterity. 

Like the gorgeous mountain it is, Columbia Crest makes reliable, great value wines and this is not exception.  At $10--raise glass! 

Castello di Amorosa Sangiovese (Napa Valley) 2022

Jewel like gorgeous ruby hue with ample aromas of cherry, red berry, some sweet spice, finessed bouquet of more tantalizing red berries and maybe a touch of earth.

Palate--Stately first impression unlike an Italian Sangiovese with a more relaxed foundation and not nearly as acidic as a Chianti. Needs more time to come into the fullness of a delicious wine.

This creation from Napa Valley is made superbly well, more "crafted" than made, and a gift from my son. Not sure of the price but the quality says--higher than I am used to paying. What a treat! Raise a glass!

Layer Cake Shiraz (S. Australia) 2022

 

Nice dark garnet hue with aromas of dense dark berry fruit, slightly stinky cheese (in a good way) 

Palate--brooding fruit on a dense foundation with acidity galre, young, waiting to erupt with a balancing act as it ages. It is dense and thickish...

This is not the best an Aussie Shiraz can show but at this price point of $7 marked down from $19, it needs a couple more years to balance out some of its angularity. 

Chateau Moncontour Les Ruchettes "Vouvray" 2022

Pale straw hue with gentle aromas of citrus, vanilla an a sweet presence of spring flowers.

Palate--Lively first impression with a slight spritzig (fiz) on a delicious if subdued lemon/lime foundation with a fleeting finish.

Served this with bouillabaisse made by my daughter and the soup was wonderful and the wine was a nice complement to the dish.  Around $18 this Chenin Blanc--the signature grape of the French Vouvray region is a lovely white that can run the gamut of styles but always reliable as a fresh, palate cleansing quaff so raise a glass!

Sonoma Grove Zinfandel (Sonoma County) 2022

Brilliant crystalline garnet hue with ample aromas wafting over the rim of bright cherry nuances, and stewed tomato juice with sweet spice lacing.

Palate--Relaxed structure on first impression with a solid mid palate of confused fruit fruit, with a slightly lingering finish that is equally ambiguous.

Previously reviewed this in October of 2025 with similar ambiguity and conclusion. It's an okay quaff for $8 but not classic Zin.  You decide.

Broadbent Douro Reserve 2019

Deep aubergine purple hue with aromas of  brambly dark brooding berry fruit on a rustic foundation, and a hint of violets in the bouquet.

Palate--Dark berries on the palate bursting with youthful poignancy even with 6 years of aging. It has an elegant first impression with a bold profile that will keep this wine going for another 5 years or more.

The Touriga Nacional is the signature grape of the Douro region of Portugal. This is a " crafted" wine with finesse and staying power. I paid $11 for this $25 wine elsewhere. It will be great with my wife's roasted chicken thighs and root vegetable so raise a glass!

Badiolo Chianti (Riserva) 2022

Thin and watery looking on the pour showing a slightly "bricked" rim on a diminished garnet frame. Aromas of milk chocolate (unusual for Chianti) with a floral touch of spring red flowers, all on an enticing Sangiovese bouquet.

Palate--Characteristic acidic foundation with a decently balanced palate of tightly wound red berries with a fleeting finish.  

I am not sure what to make of this wine as it stands. It is young and should mature into a better profile in another couple years. Right now however I am a little skeptical. It was priced at $19 but reduced to $13.

I just noticed I reviewed this wine in just a couple months ago and my review was considerably different/better. 

What to make of it??? I will suspend judgement until the wine has had a chance to open up and see if it is better with my dinner which will be homemade kale and italian sausage soup with cheesy herb bread (also home made) I'll update later on...

Buehler Chardonnay "Russian River" 2021

Light golden hue with ample aromas of tropical fruit, citrus, vanilla, sweet green apple.

Palate--Classy for the price, nice balanced structure, rigid acidity, vibrant tropical fruit flavors with citrus highlights. Finishes quickly but with class.

Previously reviewed back in June of 2025. Not up to the standards of what I am used to from this producer but a value at $10 so raise a glass.  Pairing it with baked Salmon with dill sauce...

Member's Mark Cabernet Sauvignon (Private Reserve) [Sonoma, Alexander Valley] "SallyVine Vineyard" 2023

Dark garnet hue with aromas of pronounced berry fruit above the rim, intense ripe fruit in the bowl, lovely spice, with more berry fruit.

Palate--A bit tart, with a touch of a watery mouth feel. Nice fruit forward but not quite the expectation of a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sonoma much less Alexander Vineyard. 

Well, the pedigree is outstanding, this label tells you MUCH about the wine's origins. AVA specific--Sonoma; Alexander Valley and vineyard specific, Sallyvine Vineyard. Normally a Cab from this pedigree would tun more around $40 and up...  

Sam's Club offers it for around $12 and you get what you pay for. My suspicion is that these Sam' Club wines are made specifically for Sam's Club and again these are not like buying other Cabs from the same areas. Caveat emptor!

 

Tree Fort Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) 2021

Garnet hue with some intensity and a bouquet rising from the glass of rich ripe dark berry fruit with gentle spice and a sweet spice overtone like chinese five spice resting on a bread dough base. Nice!

Palate--Decent first impression with a bold presentation mouth filling dark fruit, that lingers with a strong finish. 

I paid $8 for this AVA cabernet marked down from $18! At $8 it's a bargain and will be pairing it with pan fried sirloin steak and it will be grand.  Raise a glass!

Broadbent Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2017

Inky dark purple nearly black with beautiful aromas dried currants/raisins, luscious deep ripe plum. I could just sit and sniff this bouquet for a good while...

Palate--Dense, thick profile of mouth watering, rich, luxuriant silky mouthfeel, that is ever so tantalizing. The rich, plum pudding and densely sweet (in all the right ways) on a balanced foundation.

This is a masterfully made LBV and if you love Port--real port...which ends in an "O" or it isn't "real" you will adore this delightful quaff. I love Port with semi-sweet dark chocolate, or strawberries, or rich cheeses like a quality bleu, etal. But I LOVE a quality Porto all by itself as well.

I don't remember what I pad for this but it was around $20 I believe and it is a BARGAIN! Raise a glass!

Lustrous Chardonnay (Russian River Valley Sonoma) 2024

This Chard from one of my favorite California AVA's is lovely gold hue with pronounced aromas lovely lemon laced with a sweet beam of something like "cherry" ( cinnamon?) almost with crisp green Granny Smith apple on a good chard foundation with a touch of vanilla.

Palate--Mouth watering acidity, nice first impression with structure finesse, lemon galore, vanilla bean and creme brulee nuances.

Because of what I pad for this at Trader Joes, I was lowering my expectations despite its pedigree. NOT disappointing!!! *For $9 this is a BUY a case lot and raise a glass!!!

*The Wine Enthusiast gives this $19 Chard 90 points and for once I AGREE! 

Gaetano Di Aquino Chianti "Riserva" 2022

Brickish red hue with aromas of rustic forest floor with sweet berries, and perhaps a suggestion of wintergreen and spruce.

Palate--Sharp acidity out of the gate with lively structure--though immature--a seriously good fruity foundation that will mature over the next 5 years yielding a super value Chianti from this producer I have followed for years. Finishes quickly yet urges you to keep drinking!

I have been drinking and reviewing this wine since 2009! 17 years of reviewing various vintages at various times and always comes in at the ridiculous price point of about $8! A perennial winning selection from Trader Joe's which I will be pairing with my wife's chicken Cacciatore and it will be superior so raise a glass! 

Cross Springs Zinfandel Lake County 2023

A lighter cherry pour seemingly a little watery, maraschino cherry bouquet, a touch of wood, and space on the end.

Palate--First impression is very nice, with an integrated and supple foundation with prominent Zin goodness, a rather pronounced cherry mid-palate, decent structure and a fairly quick finish but the finish is quite nice.

I was prepared NOT not like this and I cannot even say why. Perhaps it was the somewhat "watery" looking light hue on the pour but the palate is much better than I pre-judged.  I paid  $7.50 for this bargain Zin which is a steel!

I will be pairing it with my homemade venison chili which uses some Zin in my recipe.  The wine pairs very well with the Ancho chili powder, brown sugar, cayenne and bacon. I have had this combination at least 50 times and it never gets old. So grab one or three and raise a glass!

Castle Rock Pinot Noir "Monterey Co." 2021

Watermelon juice hue on the pour with delicate aromas of strawberry with slight spice. On second glance there seems to be slight "bricking" at the rim, a sign of aging...

Palate--Big out of the gate, with metalic first impression with slightly tart raspberry/strawberry, and a lingering finish that is crisp if quick.

I found this at an out of state liquor store marked down to $7.50. Castle Rock makes super value Pinot's from actual AVA's (American Viticultural Areas) which puts them at a higher level of quality. (Usually...)  

At this price,  Raise a glass!