Wines for the Lazy Summer Days

Got this elegant white from a tasting at the local wine store. I am loving the Gruner Veltliner and Pinot Gris wines that Oregon is producing. It's a terroir to rival big California without the inflated price!

Nose: refreshing notes of honey, lemons. Stemmy

Tongue: lemons, honeysuckle, muscat, and rich lychee jelly. Rich, off-sweet, succulent. Slightly creamy. Very layered and complex for a white

Price: $15

Rating: 4.25/5

Made from 100% Lugana (AKA Verdicchio) grapes in Sirmione, Italy. Never was a fan of the Italian Pinot Grigios so popularized in the States, but Italians really know how to make AMAZING wines with their indigenous grapes! This is a great example of them. Sip it on the porch or with some sharp cheeses, seafood, or Asian food. You won't regret it! Also love the label design on this one :)

Nose: fresh, lemony, tart. Notes of granny-smith apples, peaches, and pears

Tongue: Semi-dry, ripe on the tongue, with flavors of melons and honey. 

Price: $16

Rating: 4/5

A red wine for summer? Why not? Marquette is a relatively new grape grown in the Northeastern States designed to withstand the cold weather. Shelburne Vineyard of Vermont makes a light-bodied yet complex wine with this grape that makes for a wonderful sipper in the hot summer days by the pool. Drink it slightly chilled.

Nose: woody, notes of mulch, mud, desert, roasted marshmellows, asparagus, and artichokes

Tongue: light-bodied and velvety, floral and peppery. Flavors of dark berries, hickory, cherry, and violets

Price: $18

Rating: 4/5

The wine that pulled me through anatomy exam: Sokol-blosser Meditrina {7}

It all started when I picked this wine for its standout bottle design from the dull racks at Wegmans. And I was blown away. It literally blasted me through the final exam of the Head + Neck block of my anatomy class. I wish I had it not for my Limb block exam :-/

Nose: warm, robust, and filled with depth. Notes of milk chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and s'mores. A whiff of spice

Tongue: sweet, light bodied, with light tannins and a citrusy finish. Velvety, mellow, smooth, and very balanced. Flavors of cherries, muscat, and brown sugar. Simple and drinkable by itself or pair it with a nutty cheese.

Price: $12

Rating: 4/5

FYI, Meditrina is a masterful blend of 50% Syrah, 22% Zinfandel, and 20% Pinot Noir. The bottle also doubles as an elegant vase ;)