Chillable Reds
There is something so thirst quenching about gulping down glasses of cool red wine in the sultry days of summer. And while every red wine should be served “cellar temp” (easily mastered with about 10 minutes in a refrigerator) there are some wines that beg to be chilled a little further and enjoyed frivolously.
Here are a few options from Spain that go down nicely (from Left to Right):
Celler del Roure “Vermell”
With the temps rising we look to other sultry places for inspiration. Travelling from Valencia, this blend of Monastrell, Garnacha Tintorera & Mando (a rare indigenous Mediterranean grape that is virtually extinct) showing brilliant purple/ruby color in the glass. Purely expressive of red berries, licorice, and aromatic herbs. Dry, with medium-body. The lightest, candied-red cherry skin notes. Tasty & easy to chill and drink with clam pizza! (<$25)
Finca Parera “Fins Als Kullons”
At any natural wine fair you can easily spot winegrower Rubén Parera as the boisterous and mischievous guy in the room. Calling you over to his table. Filling up your glasses, potentially from a porrón. Having worked a harvest here in the Penedès (albeit just an afternoon before lunch) I can attest to his infectious energy and grin. “FAK” as it’s often called is a very special wine that comes around once a year in early summer and is gone before Fall. Brilliant ruby colored in the glass. This is a red & white co-ferment (Sumoll, Garnacha Blanca & Xarello) made in a quaffable, non-interventionist style from biodynamically farmed, estate owned fruit & no additions of sulfur. Dry, light bodied with savory black cherry & cherry pit notes, and a bright, tart finish. 1 Liter size makes it even more BBQ friendly! When you see it, snatch it up. Even better a year after release if you can hold on to it. ($30-40)
Suertes del Marques “7 Fuentes”
The changes happening in the Canary Island wine making scene are thrilling. Case in point here. After a few twists and turns of the past, Jonatan García as taken the helm of his family winery in Tenerifé. The winery specializes in a bunch of very unique single-vineyard plots of pre-phylloxera vines creeping up to around 200 years old. While most of those wines are a little higher-end, as to be expected, Jonatan also makes this tasty bottle at a more everyday price point. “7 Fuentes” is mostly Listán Negro with some 10% Tintilla, sustainably farmed with some vines up to 180-years-old. Fermented in cement or small 700-liter open vats, some destemmed, some with full clusters, but always with the indigenous yeasts. Forty percent of the volume matured in well-seasoned, 500-liter French oak barrels and the rest was kept in concrete, and blended before bottling. Ruby with brilliant reflections in the glass. Pronounced fresh red berries, floral notes & incense on the nose. Medium bodied with subtle red fruit, cassis, white pepper and angular mineral notes. A great bottle for those who like sour beers, and also a solid bottle to enjoy over two or so days open as the flavors continue to develop and improve. (<$30)
Bodegas Fulcro “Pescuda”
From Valtuille de Abajo in Bierzo (NW Spain) by Bodegas Fulcro from native varieties (60% Alicante Bouschet & 40% Mencía) with minimal additions of sulfur. Fermented with stems and aged partially in used oak & partially in stainless steel. Deep ruby in color. Subtle red fruit, bramble & mineral notes with lively acidity and a sharp, precise finish with fine tannins. So far this is the only red that Galician-native Manuel Moldes makes (<$25)
Partida Creus “VN Tinto”
A wine that are semi-impossible to find (but with good reason)! It seems like half of Manhattan has already caught onto the Partida Creus bug, and honestly, I can’t blame them.
From a younger vineyard planted in calcareous clay, farmed biodynamically. Fermented using indigenous yeasts. Grapes here are a virtual laundry list of: Trepat, Sumoll, Garrut, Queixal de Loop, Ull de Perdiu, Garnacha & Samsó. The varietals undergo whole cluster fermentation separately, in stainless steel where it’s aged 7 months on its lees. Bottled unfined, unfiltered & without any added sulfur. Pale ruby colored. Light-bodied & refreshing with bright acidity & minerality. (<$25)
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As mercury rises you’ll reach for all the Whites and Rosés that are humanly possible. Keeping cool with endless summer picnics are one of the great parts of Summer in NYC. And like most of us, planning the bottle to bring is almost always last minute. Next time, if the pre-chilled selections in your local shop aren’t quite what you’re feeling, explore the wider range of light-reds and pop ‘em on ice once you arrive.
