The Hot List for 2012
Out of thousands of wines, our wine team focused on taste and value to bring you the Top 15 Wines for summer. Whether it’s picnics and reunions or firework shows and poolside parties, don’t arrive empty-handed. Bring your own contribution of style and taste from these top selections and enhance the warm days and nights to come.
Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler Dry Riesling 2010
Germany
| 91 | Wine Enthusiast |
Just what the doctor ordered! Awarding it 91points, Wine Enthusiast noted “fascinating aromas of peach, lime, fern fronds and brine, along with medium body, a velvety texture and a long, potent finish.” This crisp, dry Riesling will awaken your palate with a refreshing punch of citrus and mineral elements—well suited for poolside or patio sipping and swirling.
Dr. Peter Pauly, his wife Helga and son Stefan—descendants of the vineyard’s 16th century proprietors—produce this atypical “trocken” (German for “dry”) wine at the renowned estate of Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler, situated in Germany’s Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region. There the Riesling grapes are selectively handpicked on steep sloping vineyards where stones capture the heat during the day and keep the grapes warm at night. These conditions produce superbly complex and ripe wines. This dry selection pairs well with a wide range of foods, especially light and lemony dishes, including seafood and chicken.
Crisp, Tropical Fruits, Citrus, Light-bodied
Kitchen Sink Red Reserve
California
Bring everything and the Kitchen Sink to your next picnic. This food-friendly and trendy red blend is full-bodied and delivers blueberry, pomegranate and a little mocha.
Concentrated, Blueberry, Raspberry, Full-bodied
Smart Cookie Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
New Zealand
New Zealand delivers unquestionable intelligence with this picnic-friendly white, where fresh-baked lemon cookie aromas lead to mouthwatering tropical fruit on the palate.
Crisp, Tropical Fruits, Citrus, Light-bodied
Domaine Fontanyl Rose de Provence
France
Transform your backyard into the French Riviera with this vibrant Rosé, loaded with strawberry and wild cherry notes. Sophisticated and crisp, enjoy at a picnic in the park or for a romantic anniversary.
Crisp, Berry, Strawberry, Cherry, Light-bodied
Casado Morales Rioja Seleccion Privada
Rioja, Spain
| 93 | Wine Advocate |
Spain, food and excitement come together in this new wine for the beach and pool season. A highly rated red, it offers up wood smoke and black cherry.
Elegant, Black Cherry, Blackberry, Medium-bodied
#5 not available in NJ
Gumdale Chardonnay Reserve
Southeast Australia
Party-friendly peach, melon and vanilla create this complex, yet elegant, reserve from Australia’s famous Casella wine family. It’s a great creamy addition to a plate of pasta.
Elegant, Peach, Melon, Full-bodied
Vieux Clocher Vacqueyras 2009
Rhone, France
| 91 | Int'l Wine Cellar |
Flowers bloom in this highly rated red with deep ruby fruit flavors. Moroccan herbs, floral notes and smooth tannins make it great with grilled specialties.
Intense, Spice, Black Cherries, Full Bodied
#7 not available in NC
Il Cortigiano Prosecco Frizzante
Italy
Crisp, Apple, Dry, Medium-bodied
Conte Fini Pinot Grigio Alto Adige
Alto Adige, Italy
Keep it alpine cool with crisp, full-bodied elegance from Northern Italy’s Alto Adige region. Its citrus minerality and long finish are great with shellfish and grilled chicken.
Crisp, Citrus, Full-bodied
Courtney Benham Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder
Mount Veeder, Napa, CA
| 90 | Wine Enthusiast |
Prepare the hickory smoker, season the beef, and pour this highly rated, food-friendly indulgence. Blackberry, currant and cedar reflect Napa’s Mount Veeder sub-appellation.
Intense, Black Currant, Cedar, Full-bodied
Clos des Quatre Vents Fleurie 2009
Beaujolais
| 91 | Wine Advocate |
It takes a village in Beaujolais to deliver this fruit-forward 2009 from Fleurie. This highly rated red is great alongside roasted chicken, cold cuts or creamy cheese.
Blackberry, Blueberry, Complex, Silky Tannins
Forever Vineyards Moscato
California
Wait for Forever and enjoy a hot trend with this crisp Moscato today. Its sweet peach and pear accents are great summer matches for chicken and light cheeses.
Crisp, Peach, Pear, Light-bodied
Barba Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vignafranca 2007
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Abruzzi, Italy
| 90 | Wine Advocate |
Pair tangy roast or pork with this bold, spicy and highly rated red. Complex, with vibrant and exquisite smoke, licorice, vanilla and integrated oak, it’s great with heat.
Intense, Raspberry, Vanilla, Full-bodied
Château Lanessan Haut-Medoc 2003
Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France
| 91 | Wine Journal |
Carefree evenings demand delicate measures like this 2003 Bordeaux blend with silky tannins, cherry, raspberry, cedar and spice. It’s great with rich cheeses, red meats and tuna.
Cherry, Raspberry, Chocolate, Medium-bodied
Montignac Picpoul de Pinet
France
Start your summer feast with a serving of flowers and fruit. This refreshing white pairs well with chicken, veggies or a Mediterranean nosh of seafood.
Fresh, Fruity, Melon, Light bodied
Come taste these wines in-store!
See our Weekly Tastings in the Event Calendar for our Top 15 of Summer selections, running the weekends of May 4-6 and May 18-20.
