Wines of the week | Vines under the sun, wine in the sun

Does a warm climate always produce rich, full-bodied wines? Not necessarily ! Mitigating factors, such as altitude, terroir or the winemaker’s choice of culture, can allow the development of fresh and crisp wines, ideal for the hot season. Here are three, from three countries, that will brighten up your summer.

Veronique Rivest
Sommelier, guest collaborator

Gourmet and cheerful

This delicious pet nat (natural sparkling) is completely charming again in the 2021 vintage. And $1.35 cheaper than in 2019! A blend of three grape varieties from the South-West, produced in a very natural way by a cheerful band of Loire winegrowers, this Tètes Tète Nat’ Brut Nature Vin de France 2021 opens with a discreet nose of yellow apples, pears and white flowers. . Very dry, light and crisp, it offers a juicy, fresh palate, carried by delicate bubbles. Nothing very complex, but very well done, gourmet and joyful, it is perfect for hot days, improvised aperitifs or picnics. To be enjoyed on its own or with grilled white fish, as a tartare with green apple and herbs or with sushi.

Les Tètes Tète Nat’ Brut Nature Vin de France 2021, $21.50 (13863770), 11%, organic

Laying down: to drink

An organic success at a friendly price

This wine is excellent value for money. Utiel-Requena is a little-known appellation in Spain, in the hills above Valencia. It produces a lot of wines with volume and grape concentrate. But the coolness of the nights at altitude also makes it possible to produce white wines. This estate has given itself the noble mission of producing organic wines, in large volumes, at very affordable prices. The nose of this Ecovitis Fuenteseca Macabeo Sauvignon Blanc Utiel-Requena 2021 is fresh and rather fine, with notes of citrus, herbs and a little peach. Very dry, it offers juicy fruit and a lot of freshness, with light bitterness that adds relief. Perfect for an aperitif, or to accompany a ceviche, prawns with orange, a salad of fennel or fresh goat cheese.

Ecovitis Fuenteseca Macabeo Sauvignon Blanc Utiel-Requena 2021, $13.75 (12681131), organic, 12%

Laying down: to drink

For pizza and fish

Gulfi is undoubtedly one of the best producers in Sicily. This family estate has been working organically since its inception, with enormous respect for the land, its people and its traditions. While Nero d’Avola is often at the origin of full-bodied wines, it gives here a supple wine, all in freshness, from limestone soils in the Hyblaean mountains, in the south-east of Sicily. This Gulfi Rossojbleo Nero D’Avola Terre Siciliane 2019 remains of course marked by the sun, with ripe fruit and a pulpy substance, but also a lot of freshness and very few tannins. Aromas of cherry, a touch of kirsch and mauve flowers are charming at first, then notes of black earth, garrigue and olives add interest. Served chilled, it is ideal to accompany pizzas, but also fish cooked with tomatoes, black olives and capers.

Gulfi Rossojbleo Nero D’Avola Terre Siciliane 2019, $22.50 (14923990), 13%, organic

Aging: 1 or 2 years