Relax this Summer with Great White Wines

There’s something about summer that makes you slow down and seek out enjoyment and fun. Maybe it’s a throwback to our childhood, those long lazy summer days, spending time with our friends, traveling with family and not a care in the world. As an adult, I long for those summer days. Our time is now filled with work, deadlines, technology overload, traffic and an endless amount of time standing in checkout lines. This summer, do yourself a favor, kick back, relax and let the wine come to you. Whether you’re heading out to the lake or staying at home, great summer wines are at your finger tips with wineonline.ca. 

Here’s a toast to some white wine makers who stepped outside the sandbox and made their own way in the wine world.

Wines Available in Ontario

Con Class Rueda, Sitios De Bodega 2010

Greenish yellow in color, the nose is filled with pear, lemongrass and mint. Zesty minerals are abundant as the wine opens. Firm, finely etched citrus and herb flavors are refreshingly dry and pack solid punch. Citrus lingers on the long, mineral-tinged finish. For six generations, the Sanz family has been making wines in Rueda, Spain. In the 1970’s, Marques de Riscal changed winemaking forever in Rueda. Riscal realized using modern winemaking equipment, he could produce a fresh and delicious wine from Verdejo. This was ground breaking as the grape tends to oxidize rapidly to produce sherry-like aromas. He also introduced other varietals to the winery such as Viura and Sauvignon Blanc that flourish in Rueda’s chalky soils. The grapes produce a light and fresh style of wine. Variatal: 60% Verdejo; 25% Viura; 15% Sauvignon Blanc Priced at $15.95

Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, Jacques Lurton 2009

Aromatic with hints of pepper, guava and smoky flavors. A full bodied wine with fresh and well balanced acidity. Mineral notes are complemented by the lush fruit flavors. Jacques Lurton has the distinction of producing wine in over 15 wine regions in nine countries on three different continents. Known as the “flying wine maker” Lurton spends 300 days a year traveling to regions around the world producing award winning wines. This Sauvignon Blanc is a New World wine style produced in the Loire valley. Traditional to New World wines, the style offers a softer and more rounded fruit flavors of melon and peach. Priced at $18.95

Chardonnay, Jermann 2010

Brilliant straw yellow with greenish reflections; intense, fruity bouquet consisting of bananas and ripe apples. Aromatic with distinct varietal notes on nose and palate, excellent finish. Silvio Jermann has been known to make some of the best Italian white wines. He’s a pioneer in Italian wine history, creating a new era in white vinification. Determined to investigate new wine making courses, he headed to Canada. The distance from his conservative wine making family allowed him to explore and experiment with new wine making methods. Today, the winery consistently makes some of the best white wines through out the world. The wines are multi-layered, extract-loaded whites that now serve as the landmarks of contemporary viniculture. Priced at $39.9

 Wines Available in Alberta

Dr. L Riesling, Dr. Loosen 2009

High-quality, entry-level Riesling from steep, slate-soil vineyards throughout the Mosel valley. Crisp acidity, fresh peach, apple and pear with hints of glazed citrus. Mineral flavors typical of the Mosel, Germany region. When Ernst Loosen took over the family vineyards he developed a wine style that was true to the climate, the soil and the vines of the Mosel region of Germany. Today Dr. Loosen produces only Rieslings from the slate-soil vineyards. The soil is rich in minerals and volcanic ash, this combined with the steep slope of the vineyards and the upgrafted technique of growing vines, the yield is lower, resulting in higher concentrated flavors. Dr. Loosen has been awarded; Best German Producer, Wine & Spirits Magazine 2007, White Winemaker of the Year, Wine International 2005 and  Man of the Year, Decanter 2005. Priced at $16.45

Tributo Sauvignon Blanc, Caliterra 2009

Soft aromas of green asparagus, lemon and tangerines, complemented with mineral notes and a fantastic mouthfeel. A perfect ending makes freshness and elegance last for an eternity. Established in the Colchagua Valley in 1996, Caliterra was a partnership between the Robert Mondavi family and Viña Errázuriz. Their goal was to produce high quality wines true to the nature, terrior and vines of Chili. Using sustainable methods, Caliterra works with the environment and the residents of the Colchagua Valley. The emphasis is on sustaining Chilean roots and nature in every grape. This sustainable approach exhibits their care for the environment and commitment to the community. Priced at $18.95

Domaine de la Perrière Sancerre, Guy Saget 2008

Green pear and quince flavors bring some richness to the wine. Soft mouthfeel initially, gives way to a firm texture and fresh acidity in the finish. The Domaine de la Perrière is ninth generation family owned and operated winery located in the LoireValley. The vineyard covers 40 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc and 4 hectares of Pinot Noir in the AOC Sancerre spread out the districts of Bannay, Verdigny, Saint-Satur, Crézancy and Vinon. One of the unique features of this estate is it is the sole owner of a 10 hectares block planted on flint soils which produce fleshy wines that age well. Priced at $24.95

So there you have it, your perfect white wine accompaniments as you reclaim summer for your own.