New York City in July — hot and humit, but a great time to sit outside and sip a glass or two of vino and summer in the city means al fresco dining…putting those tiny fire escapes and public parks to good use! Hosts & hostesses across the city are searching for the perfect wines to impress guests and enhance their all-American menus. We asked the experts at NYC’s premiere wine & spirits destination, Sherry-Lehmann, a great place in Midtown to get wine, to share their top 5 suggestions for wines grown on American vines, perfect for summer weather in the city.
The top 5 recommendations are:
- Wölffer Estate, “Summer in a Bottle” Rose, 2014 ($24.95)- This Long Island grown rosé offers the best of both worlds: unbeatable price and flavor. “This beautiful rosé evokes Hamptons sunsets, tinged with pink and copper. Aromas of ripe local fruit—cantaloupe, strawberry and peach—fill the glass. The mouth-feel is alive and textured with vibrant, tropical flavors like honeydew melon. Bright acidity provides balance and the finish is long and layered like dusk over our vineyard.” -Winemaker’s Notes
- Groth, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013 ($21.95) – Another great choice for the host/hostess shopping with quality and quantity in mind, this Sauvignon Blanc from Napa, California is great if you are looking for a combination of ripe subtle fruit and elegant minerality. Groth shows the nobility of this grape by producing a wine that has rich body and crisp acidity.
- Chateau Montelena, Chardonnay, 2012 ($49.95) – Like the Statue of Liberty, California’s Chateau Montelena Chardonnay brings a piece of France to American wine, having been aged for 10 months in French oak barrels (8% new) and offers intense aromas of florals, ripe peach, green apple, honeydew melon and vanilla on the nose. On the palate, rich, concentrated flavors of citrus fruit, oak, lemon curd and minerals with bright acidity and a lovely, long finish.
- Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs, 2011 ($31.95) – Schramberg’s Blanc de Blancs 2011 is the perfect wine for those looking to add an extra pop to their party! This 100% Chardonnay sourced from 52% Napa, 40% Sonoma, 7% Mendocino and 1% Marin Counties. Crisp and dry, this California Sparkler offers aromas of green apple, pear, grapefruit, lime zest, candied citrus and hints of fresh bread on the nose. On the palate, concentrated citrus flavors with refreshing acidity and a long, tangy finish. Wonderful as an aperitif, or paired with seafood, lemon chicken, Thai curries or hard, aged cheeses.
- William Selyem Pinot Noir “Westside Rd. Neighbors,” 2013 ($119.95) – Putting the “red” in red, white & blue, the Pinot Noir for this blend was sourced from neighboring vineyards along Westside Road: Allen, Bacigalupi, Bucher, Rochioli Riverblock, and the Williams Selyem Estate. The gamut of red fruits from cranberry, strawberry, and Montgomery cherry highlight the aromatic fireworks of this wine. The red fruits are complemented by dried citrus peel and blood orange juice. Crushed rocks and minerals permeate the aromas and flavors. The palate echoes the aromatic profile with additional elements of earthy tea and wet terra cotta.
Do you have a go-to wine during the summer months? Share below!
Jessica Tiare Bowen lives in the juicy Big Apple with her adorable pink-nosed chihuahua, Gillman. He’s the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “Park Avenue Pound Puppy.” The book is the combined result of her two greatest passions: pooches and penning stories.
Her passions include art, urban hikes through Manhattan, drinking coffee with 3 creams and 6 sugars, making extremely detailed itineraries and traveling to far away places, singing along to Broadway shows, Netflix movie nights, discovering incredible treasures at Goodwill and thrift stores, and listening to stories from little people under 7 and big people over 70.
She started her career as New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching elementary school and theater arts at a special education school in the South Bronx for 6 years. She is now a Special Education School Improvement Specialist working in public schools throughout New York City. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the online New York City travel magazine, Used York City. The magazine focuses on finding the best of New York…as used by New Yorkers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an ASPCA Ambassador.
