Summer Wine and the Livin’s Easy
Summer is upon us Leschi! The cold, snow and rain finally give way to warmer days, shorter nights, buzzing Blue Angels, barbecues and more! No matter what you are up to down here by the lake, Leschi Market will have you covered all summer long: meat and fish for the grill, the freshest of summer fruits and veggies, and the best wine selection you could ask for!
Here are some sizzling summer wines to check out. We wish everyone a safe and happy summer. Cheers!
RED
2015 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva ($26)
“Smells like a little Cabernet Sauvignon enhancing the Sangiovese in this black currant and cherry-flavored red. Cedar, thyme, iron and sanguine notes round out the palate as this cruise to a lingering aftertaste. Shows excellent structure and balance.” ~Wine Spectator, 94-points.
2017 Leschi Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley ($19.99)
“Leschi Cellars is proud to introduce Pinot Noir to our stable of wines. This one of a kind Pinot Noir accurately captures the elegance and complexity created by the volcanic soils of Oregon. The blackberry and cherry aromas give way to finely developed tannins, mushroom and earth on the lengthy, dry Burgundian finish. A great match for Northwest salmon or Leschi Market’s roast chicken.” ~Winemaker notes.
2017 Le Fraghe Bardolino Veneto ($13.99)
This soulful Italian red wine from the Veneto. The much less famous neighbor of Valpolicella. Bardolino is the sleeper appellation using similar grape varieties. Bright red fruit is marked by whispers of cinnamon, leather, and dusty earth. A nice wine for pizza, pasta, earthy Italian cheese and charcuterie. Organic.
White
2018 Big Salt White Table Wine Oregon ($16.99)
Founded in 2011 by husband-and-wife duo John House and Ksenija Kostic. They set off to investigate the myriad terroirs of Oregon. They have found sites with blustery Pacific winds, extreme diurnal shifts, and rocky, well-draining soils. Their work is among the most compelling white winemaking throughout the Pacific Northwest.
2017 Leitz “Dragonstone” Riesling Rheingau Germany ($16.99)
“While Johannes’ dry wines solidified his reputation in Germany and throughout Europe, no other wine made him as popular in the US as did Dragonstone. Coming from the Rüdesheimer Drachenstein, the pure quartzite soil, being a silicate, lends a saltiness to the orange citrus-flavored wine which buers the acidity and counterbalances the palpable sugar.” ~Importer notes.
Rosé
2018 Diving into Hampton Water Rosé Languedoc ($22.99)
Music icon Jon Bon Jovi and legendary French winemaker Gérard Bertrand have joined forces to launch this Rosé. They shared a vision in uniting the essence of the relaxed lifestyles of the Hamptons (where Jon Bon Jovi’s family lives) and the South of France. The wine is described as a fresh and lively Rosé, with distinctive minerality, featuring Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre.
2018 Tranche Cellars Pink Pape Rosé Yakima Valley ($18.99)
“Pale salmon in color. Delicate aromas of mountain berry, white peach, citrus blossom and honeydew. The wine is bright and focused on the palate, with fresh citrus and stone fruit qualities underscored by a wet stone-like minerality. Driving acidity provides excellent focus and direction, drawing out the palate to a lingering, mouthwatering finish.” ~Winemaker notes. A Leschi Favorite!
2018 Ameztoi Rubentis Txakolina Spain ($18
“Ignacio Ameztoi constitutes the seventh generation to carry on the tradition of making Txakolina. The wines are fermented in stainless steel and bottled with residual carbonic acid that gives the wine its natural spritz. Fine and sophisticated fragrance accompanied with notes of citrus and menthol. Harmonious in the mouth, freshness that reminds you the strawberry sour caramel, tasting cheerful because of its bubbles.” ~Winemaker notes.
2018 Domaine Saint André de Figuière Rosé Provence ($13.99)
“Le Saint André Rosé is intended to be light, invigorating and easy-to-enjoy. Aromas and flavors of peach, orange skin and white flowers are accented by refreshing acidity and a salty minerality thanks to the influence of the sea. A soft profile made from a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet-Sauvignon.” ~Winemaker notes.
2018 Cedergreen Cellars Viola Rosé Columbia Valley ($13.99)
“Our Viola Rosé is a classic blend of Gamay Noir and Cabernet Franc. We were smitten by the aromatics of this Rose’ and found examples of similar blends from the Loire. Great minds and all. Flavors reminiscent of bright crushed strawberries and raspberries combine with deep floral notes of lilac and violets. San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Gold 2019. Enjoy!” ~Kevin Cedergreen, Winemaker notes.
Kenneth Benner, a Seattle area native, is a trained chef and has worked in such restaurants as Barbacoa, B.O.K.A. Kitchen + Bar, and Dahlia Lounge. Ken is the wine buyer at Leschi Market. He has a passion for learning, a meticulous palate, and a tenacity for searching out the best for his customers while offering some of the most highly coveted wines in the area. His wine column is intended to inspire and explore new choices in wine, learn about wine with his readers, and share his knowledge and experiences in the wine world. Check out the latest at www.LeschiMarket.com or request to be added to email updates or send questions, comments, or suggestions to ken@leschimarket.com and follow the wine department directly on twitter at twitter.com/leschimarket.